(Acana Dog food, Acana Dry food, Acana dog Wet Food, Acana dog food reviews )
Acana is owned by Champion Petfoods, which also produces the more expensive Orijen brand. Since 1979, Acana has received numerous awards for its superior products.
They have multiple dog and cat foods for ‘all stages of life as well as formulas for puppies and seniors. Additionally, they have selected diet options and products for different breed sizes.
Acana is a popular dog food brand available in over 60 countries around the world. They have both grain and grain-free options, as well as recipes with limited ingredients, so you’re sure to find a product that meets your pet’s specific needs.
They make both dry kibble and treats, which are a great training aid. The treats are raw animal meats that have been freeze-dried to preserve flavor and nutrients, made from real animal meats.
History Of The Acana Dog Food Brand
Champion Petfoods, Acana’s parent company, has been in business since 1979. Founded in Alberta, Canada, they currently have factories in Canada and America. Both Acana, which is moderately priced, and Orijen, the more expensive version, have been in production for decades. They have earned a reputation for being among the best pet food manufacturers available.
The Acana headquarters is still in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as is the NorthStar Kitchens manufacturing facility, which is only for the production of Acana and Orijen Dog Food Products. And they expanded to have an office and factories in Auburn, Kentucky called DogStar Kitchens. Their products come from local farms and waters, so all ingredients are safe and from trusted sources.
Recall History of Acana Dog Food Brand
We searched high and low and were thrilled to learn that there were zero recalls for all Acana products. Not only that but there has only been a recall for their sister product, Orijen. With over forty years in production, we are amazed that they have never suffered penalties for their products. But this recognition gives us the certainty that this is a high-quality brand.
FDA Notice
It is worth mentioning that the FDA has listed Acana along with fifteen other dog food brands associated with the development of multiple pets DCM – dilated cardiomyopathy – a serious heart condition. However, there has been nothing conclusive showing that brands are causing the diseases. The problem is mainly related to grain-free products and not the brand itself.
Active causes
Another thing worth noting is that there was a lawsuit filed in 2018 against Champion Petfoods, claiming negligent and reckless practices, false advertising, and heavy metals and toxins.
Ingrediants
When it comes to the ingredients, Acana doesn’t cut corners. They use locally sourced ingredients and never include unwanted ingredients such as by-product meats, wheat, corn, or soy. There is always a high-quality meat protein listed as the first ingredient. Acana has warnings about the possible cause of DCM in pets, but nothing has been fully proven, so you should be sure you are using Acana as your pet’s dog food.
Acana provides essential amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals using WholePrey muscle meat, organs, and cartilage, which contains all the nutrients you need naturally. Hence, there is no need to add supplements to the ingredient list. All fruits and vegetables, including peas, beans, and lentils, are non-GMO ingredients that provide natural fiber, minerals, and vitamins
What types of dogs is Acana best suited for?
Acana dog food uses high-quality ingredients with an emphasis on animal-based protein, making it a great option for most healthy dogs. It also offers some special recipes, such as its Puppy & Junior Formula or its Light & Fit Formula.
While Acana’s original line of biologically appropriate dog food was designed around a grain-free diet, the brand now offers several grain-based formulas. While these recipes aren’t as popular as the brand’s grain-free offerings, grain-based recipes are generally recommended for dogs without grain sensitivities. We encourage you to speak with your veterinarian to determine which formulation is best for your pooch.
Who makes Acana and where is it produced?
Acana is one of two dog food labels owned and manufactured by Champion Pet Foods (the other being Orijen). Champion Pet Foods started out in Canada, but now also has a US plant in Kentucky. As of 2016, all Acana products officially sold in the United States are manufactured in the Kentucky factory.
Although Acana appears to use imported ingredients in its formulas, Champion Pet Foods emphasizes the use of locally raised animal meat in its products.
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Acana Dog Food Reviews
We will now look at the different Acana options, including the various life-stage options. Most of Acana’s foods are for ‘all stages of life’ which means you can feed these recipes to dogs of any age and size and base your dog’s needs on their weight. These can also be given to puppies. We will cover the different options starting with their puppy line.
Puppy Formulas
Acana High Protein Puppy Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grains and Grain-free
Reasons to suggest–
- Acana makes three different puppy formulas, including one designed for small breed puppies and another for large breed puppies, as well as one formulation for puppies and young dogs.
- All three recipes are grain-free and made with a biologically appropriate WholePrey ratio of fresh raw meat and local fruits and vegetables to create a high-protein diet.
- The different breed formulas help you make sure your puppy is receiving the appropriate nutrition for his size.
- When you are looking to choose a puppy formula, it is best to find one that matches the needs of your breed.
- Large breed puppies require different nutrition than smaller breeds. Choosing a recipe formulated for your puppy’s specific needs helps ensure that your puppy grows up healthy.
- Acana foods have a high meat ratio, providing most of the nutrients naturally through animal organs, cartilage, and meat. Animal proteins are always the first ingredient.
- For all three puppy foods, the first thing listed is fresh chicken. These formulas contain 60% meat, 40% vegetables, and no grains, meat by-products, gluten, potatoes, or tapioca.
High Protein Content For Adults
Acana High Protein Grain Free Adult Blend
Reasons to suggest–
- Having an active breed means that you will need to provide higher quality high protein dog food which is how your puppy gets his energy.
- It will also need lots of carbohydrates and fats to support healthy muscles. It is also recommended that you find a dog food that contains crucial amino acids such as glucosamine as this nutrient supports healthy bones, joints, and cartilage.
- Due to the increased amount of protein, it is not recommended to give dog food formulated for high agility to puppies or dogs under one year of age.
- Too much protein can be harmful to a growing puppy’s organs.
- Once your dog switches from puppy food to adult dog food, you can safely feed him this type of dog food designed for working and high-activity dogs.
- Acana ensures your pet has plenty of energy thanks to all the proteins from animal ingredients like organs, meat, cartilage, and bones from multiple animals, including chicken and turkey.
- Red meat is an excellent source of protein for dogs with sensitive digestion as it is milder than red meat and is easier on the stomach and digestion.
- There is also plenty of delicious fruit and vegetables sourced from local farms and waters.
Adult Cereals Included
Acana High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, Wholesome Grains and Grain Free
Reasons to suggest–
- Acana has multiple adult recipes based on healthy grains and fresh or raw animal meats.
- These formulas are ‘all stages of life’ which means you can feed them to your adult dog over the age of one, but they can work for most puppies and senior dogs too. However, we recommend using puppy and senior food.
- Most dogs will do well with recipes that include grains and don’t require a grain-free diet. But your vet is the best way to know if your dog needs grain or not.
- Acana with healthy grains like oats, sorghum, and millet come in six tasty flavors. The recipes with cereals are more expensive than the formulas without cereals.
- As long as your dog does not suffer from digestive disorders, there is no reason to choose grain-free rather than grain-inclusive.
- Many parents are willing to pay a slight price increase for the extra safety of dog food with grains.
Without Cereals For Adults
Acana Highest Protein Dry Dog Food and Crunchy Treats, Grain-Free
Reasons to suggest–
- Acana grain-free formulas are ‘all stages of life and are available in various delicious flavors that offer a diet similar to what they would have in nature.
- No matter what kind of tastes your dog has, Acana will have a flavor that your pup loves. And all stages of life mean you can use this formula at any age and breed to provide a balanced and nutritious diet.
- The absence of grains is generally recommended for dogs with sensitivities to common allergens such as grains But given the grain-free pet food warnings, you shouldn’t switch your pet to grain-free dog food without your vet’s approval and recommendation.
- Don’t change your dog to grain-free just because your friends or family say it’s a great idea. Most dogs are fine with grain products.
- The Acana grain-free product line is just as popular and high-quality as their grain-inclusive brands.
- They load their foods with tons of animal protein while limiting carbohydrates to provide your dog with a balanced diet for peak performance.
- Most of the nutrients come from 70% animal protein, including Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, glucosamine, and more vitamins. There are also DHA and EPA, which are excellent for brain and eye development.
- Most adult dog foods do not include DHA, as it is more common in puppy foods.
Limited Ingredient For Adults
Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
Reasons to suggest–
- Limited ingredient dog foods are an excellent option for pet parents looking to avoid dog foods with artificial ingredients and common allergens.
- They are an excellent option for pets with sensitive bellies. These types of dog foods have fewer ingredients than traditional dog foods.
- What we love about Acana is that they don’t raise the price for their limited ingredient product line like other companies.
- You can expect to spend around the same amount. Typically, companies charge more for a recipe with limited ingredients. Acana has five different flavors to choose from with limited ingredients.
- Most limited ingredient recipes contain the same foods from traditional brands, so transitioning your pet from a grain-free or grain-inclusive diet to a low-ingredient diet can be much easier for your pet to digest. domestic.
- Typically, pets have trouble switching to a new food if there is an abrupt introduction to new ingredients.
- These problems usually clear up within a few weeks. If a month later they continue to have problems, you may want to see a vet.
Weight Control
Acana Grain Free Adult Dog Food, Light and Fit to support Healthy Weight
Reasons to suggest–
- Acana has a weight management option available.
- As is typical of the Acana brand, both of these formulas are full of animal protein made with multiple parts from different animal sources.
- They are grain-free and contain no gluten, potatoes, tapioca, or fillers.
- It is a great product to use for weight control thanks to low glycemic index vegetables and fruits, which are suitable for low blood sugar.
- This slimming formula is safe for all races and all life stages after the age of one.
- You will need to use your pet’s age and weight to regulate the amount of food they will need each day. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian for assistance.
- When your pet is struggling with obesity, it will require strict dietary monitoring.
Freeze-Dried Sweets
Acana Grain Free Dog Treats, Limited Ingredients and Freeze-Dried, Made in USA
Reasons to suggest–
- Acana doesn’t just make dog food, it also produces high-protein treats.
- These freeze-dried treats are a great way to encourage proper behavior and make training more effective. Or as a gift to show love.
- Be careful when feeding snacks, as too many can cause your pet to gain unwanted weight.
- Treats are a useful tool when training your pup, but they are also great snacks for older dogs between meals.
- You can start giving your dog treats as soon as they can chew on solid foods, usually around eight weeks of age. Even senior dogs can benefit from some healthy treats every day to boost energy.
- Acana Freeze-Dried Pet Treats has many high ratings from pet parents and are limited ingredients so your pet doesn’t get too much nutrition or unnecessary ingredients.
- As with their dog food, Acana dog treats are filled with various high-quality animal ingredients for a massive dose of protein for a biologically appropriate diet.
- There is also plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to provide a balanced diet.
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Final Thoughts
We hoped this dog food review proved that Acana is a popular, affordable, high-quality dog food that has earned a reputation as one of the best. Acana believes in providing your pet with a diet that resembles what they would eat in nature, with tons of animal-based protein to provide natural nutrition.
They always use locally sourced ingredients and manufacture their products from start to finish in their local factories. There are many dog food options out there, but we suggest you try Acana as a brand based on price, nutritional content, ingredients, and quality.
