A Taste of the Farm The Freshness and Quality of Acana s Lamb Dog Food
Singles, Lamb with Apple RecipeDry Dog Food
Composition
Raw lamb (21%), lamb meal (18%), raw lamb organs (liver, kidney, tripe) (16%), whole chickpeas, whole lentils, fish oil (5%), fresh apples (4%), dehydrated sweet potato (4%), lentil fibre, sunflower oil, salt, dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, dried chicory root, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips.
ADDITIVES (per kg): Technological additives: Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 121 mg, citric acid: 40 mg. Sensory additives: Rosemary extract: 80 mg Nutritional additives: Taurine: 1500 mg, Choline chloride (choline): 700 mg, Zinc proteinate: 160 mg, Copper proteinate: 5.5 mg, Vitamin B1: 75 mg, Vitamin B2: 15 mg, Vitamin B3: 150 mg, Vitamin B5: 45 mg, Vitamin B6: 26 mg, Vitamin B9: 5.25 mg, Vitamin B12: 0.15 mg, Vitamin E: 250 IU. Zootechnical additives: Enterococcus faecium DSM 10663/NCIMB 10415: 1x10^9 CFU.
CALORIE CONTENT (calculated): Metabolizable energy is 3405 kcal/kg (409 kcal per standard 120 g cup) with calories distributed with 32% from protein, 26% from carbohydrates, and 42% from fat. ACANA LAMB WITH APPLE RECIPE dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by FEDIAF for All Life Stages, excluding growth of all large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).
Singles, Lamb with Apple RecipeDry Dog Food
Ingredients
Raw lamb (21%), lamb meal (18%), raw lamb organs (liver, kidney, tripe) (16%), whole chickpeas, whole lentils, fish oil (5%), fresh apples (4%), dehydrated sweet potato (4%), lentil fibre, sunflower oil, salt, dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, dried chicory root, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips.
ADDITIVES (per kg): Technological additives: Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 121 mg, citric acid: 40 mg. Sensory additives: Rosemary extract: 80 mg Nutritional additives: Taurine: 1500 mg, Choline chloride (choline): 700 mg, Zinc proteinate: 160 mg, Copper proteinate: 5.5 mg, Vitamin B1: 75 mg, Vitamin B2: 15 mg, Vitamin B3: 150 mg, Vitamin B5: 45 mg, Vitamin B6: 26 mg, Vitamin B9: 5.25 mg, Vitamin B12: 0.15 mg, Vitamin E: 250 IU. Zootechnical additives: Enterococcus faecium DSM 10663/NCIMB 10415: 1x10^9 CFU.
CALORIE CONTENT (calculated): Metabolizable energy is 3405 kcal/kg (409 kcal per standard 120 g cup) with calories distributed with 32% from protein, 26% from carbohydrates, and 42% from fat. ACANA LAMB WITH APPLE RECIPE dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by FEDIAF for All Life Stages, excluding growth of all large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).
Red Meat RecipeDry Dog Food
Composition
Beef, pork, beef meal, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole green peas, pork meal, beef fat, whole green lentils, wholechickpeas, whole yellow peas, lamb, fish oil, lentil fiber, natural pork flavor, pea starch, beef tripe, beef liver, beef kidney, pork liver,pork kidney, salt, vitamin E supplement, dried kelp, whole pumpkin, zinc proteinate, collard greens, whole apples, whole pears,mixed tocopherols (preservative), taurine, calcium pantothenate, freeze-dried beef, freeze-dried pork, freeze-dried lamb, riboflavin,folic acid, vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, dried chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rose hips, juniperberries, citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacteriumanimalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product.
METABOLIZABLE ENERGY: 3405 kcal/kg (388 kcal per 8 oz cup), with 30% from protein, 28% from carbohydrates, and 42% from fat.
ACANARED MEAT RECIPE DOG FOOD is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Proles for All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).
Acana Dog Food Review (Dry)
The Acana product line includes the 5 dry dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Acana Free-Run Poultry Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is turkey, another quality, raw item inclusive of water.
The third ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
Its important to note that the next 6 out of 10 ingredients included in this recipe are each a type of legume:
- Green peas
- Red lentils
- Pinto beans
- Chickpeas
- Green lentils
- Yellow peas
Although theyre a mixture of quality plant ingredients, theres an important issue to consider here. And thats the recipe design practice known as ingredient splitting.
If we were to combine all these individual items together and report them as one, that newer combination would likely occupy a significantly higher position on the list.
In addition, legumes contain about 25% protein, a factor that must also be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The seventh ingredient in this food is chicken liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The eighth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is catfish meal, yet another high protein meat concentrate.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Champion Petfoods product.
With 4 notable exceptions
First, we find lentil fiber, a mixture of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber derived from lentils. Aside from the usual benefits of fiber, this agricultural by-product provides no other nutritional value to a dog.
Next, fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
In addition, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, its also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dogs digestive tract.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Acana Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 33%, a fat level of 19% and estimated carbohydrates of about 40%.
As a group, Acana features an average protein content of 34% and a mean fat level of 18%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 40% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 53%.
Which means this Acana product line contains
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the multiple legumes, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.
Champion Petfoods Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Champion Petfoods through April 2024.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Acana Dry Dog Food
Acana is a grain-free dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
However, its unfortunate the company chose to include so much plant-based protein in its recipe. Otherwise, we would have been compelled to award this product a higher rating.
BALANCED RECIPESFOR ABALANCED BUDGET
When it comes to ACANA pet food, every ingredient that goes into our thoughtfully crafted recipes is important, and were dedicated to making quality dog and cat foods with the world's best ingredients. Our foods are crafted with quality fresh or raw animal ingredients balanced with whole fruit and vegetables. Our fresh ingredients use refrigeration as the sole method of preservation, and our raw ingredients are frozen at their peak freshness. ACANA premium dog foods and treats are protein-rich, nutritious and delicious, and use ingredients from a curated group of farmers, ranchers and fishers weve known and trusted for decades. Our recipes are ideal for dogs of all ages including puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs and are available in no grains ingredients added recipes, Wholesome Grains recipes, and Singles recipes for dogs with sensitivities. ACANA premium cat food recipes offer a variety of recipes and flavors rich with animal protein and nutrients, so your cat is getting everything they need to look and feel their best. With diets for kittens, adult cats and senior cats, theres the right food for every cat. The name "Acana" was inspired by the farmlands of Alberta, Canada. Through the years, it has become synonymous with quality. Today we craft our food in our world-class kitchens in Edmonton, Alberta and Auburn, Kentucky.
GrasslandsDry Dog Food
Composition
Raw lamb (8.5%), raw duck (8.5%), eggs (8%), lamb meal (8%), herring meal (7%), turkey meal (7%), whole green peas, whole red lentils, whole chickpeas, raw freshwater lake fish* (5%), fish oil (4%), raw lamb liver (4%), duck liver (4%), raw turkey (4%), whole green lentils, whole pinto beans, whole yellow peas, lentil fiber, duck fat (2%), pea starch, dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole carrots, fresh whole apples, fresh whole pears, fresh whole zucchini, dried chicory root, freeze-dried duck and liver, freeze-dried lamb and liver, fresh kale, fresh spinach, fresh turnip greens, fresh beet greens, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole saskatoon berries, turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips.*varied mix of raw tullibee, whitefish, northern pike, and mullet.
ADDITIVES (per kg) ) Technological additives: Tocopherol extract from vegetable oils: 308mg, citric acid: 40mg. Sensory additives: Rosemary extract: 105mg.Nutritional additives: 3b606 (Zinc: 150 mg), 3b406 (Copper: 11mg), 3a821 Vitamin B1: 25mg, 3a841 Vitamin B5: 8mg, 3a831 Vitamin B6: 7.5mg, 3a700 Vitamin E: 50 IU. Zootechnical additives: 4b1707 Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 2.2x10^6 CFU.
Metabolizable Energy is 3810 kcal/kg (457 kcal per 250ml/120g cup), with 37% from protein, 23% from carbohydrates, and 40% from fat. ACANA Grasslands Dog is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by FEDIAF for All Life Stages, except for growth of large size dogs.
Taste of the Wild vs. Acana Dog Food: Our 2024 In-Depth Comparison
Pet nutrition is a hot topic these days, and pet parents are concerned now more than ever about what goes in their furry friends bowl. We have two noteworthy picksTaste of the Wild and Acana. Both similar brands offer excellent nutrition for your dog, but which is better?
Here were going to go over each brands best dishes and learn a little more about the companies.
A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Acana
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall |  | Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat | CHECK PRICE | |
| Runner-Up |  | Taste of the Wild Wetlands Ancient Grains | CHECK PRICE |
These dog food brands aim to give a wide variety of flavors, textures, and nutritional aims to nourish your pup. But which is better?
Due to changes in dog food over the recent years, companies are pushed to adapt to new changes. Nutritionists aim to give dogs a better diet, and both companies seem to follow suit. However, when it comes to quality, we think Acana comes out on top.
About Acana
Despite its popularity being relatively recent, Acana has been around for quite a while. They adapted to the ever-changing expectations in pet food, adopting a more holistic approach to their food lines. This has proven to be a great success as they continue to incorporate modern standards.
Company History
Acana pet food is owned by Champion Pet Foods. It was named after its birthplace in the farmlands of Alberta, Canada. Acana aims to use all-natural recipes with 50% animal ingredients. While it didnt start as a holistic choice, they have powered up their recipes, giving the quality your pup deserves.
Available Food Lines
Acanas food line has grown exponentially since its beginning in Canada during the 1970s. They seem to jive with the times, creating a line of a dry kibble containing frozen raw and fresh pieces for optimal nutrition intake.
While this is definitely a step in the right direction, it seems there is little information that makes raw diets iffy. They can contain harmful bacteria, like salmonella and E. coli. So, having a new line of raw-based foods can lead to concern.
However, with more product regulations, this company will continue to grow and put in place the correct measures to ensure freshness and safety.
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About Taste of the Wild
Taste of the Wild was originally created in the 1970s by Diamond Pet Food. As the years droned on, the Taste of the Wild brand was marketed as wolf food, aiming to give dogs a natural, species-specific food that would nourish their bodies as nature intended.
Company History
Providing high protein, nutrient-dense recipes, Taste of the Wild has built an outstanding reputation with pet owners everywhere. Even though Taste of the Wild has grown exponentially through the years, it is still owned by a single-family. This family saw the opportunity to create a better diet experience that closely relates to canine and feline roots.
Available Food Lines
As the name might imply, Taste of the Wild aims to give dogs species-specific recipes. They pride themselves on tasty grain-free, ancient grain, and wet food options.
Taste of the Wilds recipes are notably high in protein, fat, and fiber. They believe that providing your dog with a more natural ingredients list, their bodies will thrive accordingly. These recipes are available in dry kibble and wet food portions.
The 3 Most Popular Acana Dog Food Recipes
1. Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat & Grains Recipe
| Main Ingredients: | Beef, deboned pork, beef meal, oat groats |
| Calories: | 371 per cup/ 3,370 per bag |
| Protein: | 27% |
| Fat: | 17% |
| Fiber: | 6% |
Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat & Grains Recipe is a comprehensive recipe containing fresh or raw protein sources. This type of meal aims to deliver the most nutritious protein source to your dogs body to help all systems function properly.
As Acana advertises, they use 60% protein-rich animal ingredients in this recipethe rest are delicious fruits and veggies with absolutely no artificial additives or fillers. The proteins are frozen at peak freshness to ensure full benefits.
Rather than using harsh fillers, this recipe contains easy-to-digest ingredients like oat groats. In one serving, there are 371 calories. This is a modest amount, ideal for any everyday maintenance diet. The fat is slightly high in comparison, coming in at 17.0%.
All in all, its a terrific choice for an everyday diet for adult canines.
Pros
- Excellent for everyday health
- Raw and fresh freeze-dried kibble pieces
- Easy to digest grain
Cons
- Beef might be an allergy trigger
2. Acana Singles Beef & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free
| Main Ingredients: | Deboned beef, beef meal, beef liver, sweet potato, whole chickpeas |
| Calories: | 388 per cup/ 3,405 per bag |
| Protein: | 31% |
| Fat: | 17% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
Acana got the memo loud and clear about the potential of peas leading to heart problems. Thats why their grain-free line, including the Beef & Pumpkin Recipe, contains no peas. Instead, they use nutritious legumes as the primary carbohydrate source.
This is a kickin recipe for dogs with food allergies and gut sensitivities. This particular recipe has impressive protein content with deboned beef, beef meal, and beef liver, the first three ingredients. It also uses pumpkin, a highly digestible and nutrient-rich source of fiber.
This recipe is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, providing antioxidant support for healthy immunity. We scoured the ingredients list, and we think this grain-free recipe is very well thought out. It wont be for all dogs to enjoybut its beyond excellent in quality.
Pros
- Easy to digest recipe
- No grains or peas
- Rich in fiber
3. Acana Wholesome Grains Puppy
| Main Ingredients: | Chicken, chicken meal, oat groats, whole green peas, whole red lentils |
| Calories: | 425 per cup/ 3,560 per bag |
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 19% |
| Fiber: | 6% |
We have to rave about Acana Wholesome Grains Puppy. It is simply loaded with goodies to keep your growing puppy healthy and on track. The impressive ingredients list is enough to make us sure.
It has all the right combination of nutrients your pup needs to get a good start in lifeglucosamine for healthy joints, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, EPA, and DHA for development.
In one serving, there are 425 calories, which is plentiful and excellent for a growing canine. Its packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and protein. The protein content is 28.0%, a moderate level for most premium puppy foods. What more could you want?
We think that your puppy can benefit from starting with this diet selection.
Pros
- It contains DHA and EPA
- Antioxidant-rich
- Omega fatty acids for total health
The 3 Most Popular Taste of the Wild Dog Food Recipes
1. Taste of the Wild Wetlands with Ancient Grains
| Main Ingredients: | Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, grain sorghum, millet |
| Calories: | 425 per cup/3,750 per bag |
| Protein: | 32% |
| Fat: | 18% |
| Fiber: | 3% |
Overall favorite Taste of the Wild recipe is Ancient Wetlands with Ancient Grains. This delicious kibble offers duck as the first ingredient, so youre getting rich, dark meat that is full of beneficial ingredients and tasty flavors.
In one serving, there are 425 calories. This is moderately high compared to most dog foods, but it is aimed toward energetic, calorie-depleting pooches. So, if you have a lazier pup, youll have to be careful when you portion.
The guaranteed analysis of this product reads 32.0% crude protein, 18.0% crude fat, and 3.0% crude fiber. The animal protein is top-notch here, creating lean, healthy muscles for any dog. Combined with easy-to-digest grains like sorghum and millet, this is settling for the tummy.
It contains species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics to ensure a healthy gutit makes digestion a breeze! It has no potentially harsh ingredients but uses superfoods and antioxidant-rich additives to create a well-rounded recipe with necessary, flavorful ingredients.
Pros
- Excellent protein levels
- Delicious waterfowl recipe
- Ideal for active dogs
2. Taste of the Wild Pine Forest Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
| Main Ingredients: | Venison, lamb meal, garbanzo beans, peas, lentils, pea flour |
| Calories: | 408 per cup/ 3,600 per bag |
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 15% |
| Fiber: | 4.5% |
If you have a gluten-sensitive pooch, we believe they will thrive on Taste of the Wild Pine Forest Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (but ask your vet!) It has everything you could want in a grain-free recipehardy protein, excellent veggies and fruits, and agreeable legumes.
In one serving, there are 408 calories, an ideal amount for moderate to high activity levels. The protein content is 28.0%, higher than most commercial dog foods to nourish and develop healthy, strong muscles. Using novel proteins like venison and lamb also helps dogs with protein sensitivities.
Rather than grains, this recipe uses legumes like garbanzo beans and lentils. This combo provides carbohydrates without the irritation of gluten in the system. It also contains Taste of the Wilds proprietary probiotics to support the immune system and gut.
If your dog is prone to allergies, this might be the diet that helps them overcome related symptoms.
Pros
- Novel protein for protein allergies
- Built for gluten sensitivity
- Easy-to-digest legumes added
Cons
- For gluten-sensitive dogs only
3. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Puppy
| Main Ingredients: | Water buffalo, lamb meal, sweet potatoes. egg product |
| Calories: | 415 per bag/ 3,656 per bag |
| Protein: | 28% |
| Fat: | 17% |
| Fiber: | 5% |
If you want a highly nutritious puppy chow to feed your growing baby, consider Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Puppy. While it is labeled as roasted venison and bison, it actually contains water buffalo and lamb meal as the first two ingredients.
This recipe is grain-free, which is pretty controversialespecially among puppies. However, we want to point out that other recipes with grain are all-life-stages, meaning you can offer a regular recipe for your pup.
In one serving, there are 415 calories, plenty to serve a growing body. The protein content in this recipe is 28.0%, made up of several novel protein sources.
We love this recipe for puppies, and we think any breed could benefit. But it might trigger early allergies, so pay attention to your puppys behavior.
Pros
- Well-rounded recipe for pups
- Contains novel proteins
- Made without grains, corn, wheat
Recall History of Acana and Taste of the Wild
Luckily, over the course of Acanas growth, there has never been any pet food recalls to date. However, their owner, Champions Pet Foods, filed a lawsuit claiming mercury and lead levels were found in their food lines. Champion upheld the quality of their products without fail.
Taste of the Wild, on the other hand, had one major recall in 2012.
Taste of the Wild was also grouped in the lawsuit in 2018 about cardiopathic myopathy.
Taste of the Wild had a lawsuit pinned against them in 2019. It involved food testing positive for lead, arsenic, pesticides, and other toxins.
No open decisions were made about the verdict.
Brand Acana VS Taste of the Wild Comparison
Now that you know the basics of the recipes from both sides, we can get into it. Lets compare these two brands to see which is worthy of your dogs bowl.
IngredientsAcana
Both these brands have exquisite recipes that are premium and nutritious for dogs. Acana has taken a fresh/frozen kibble approach, while Taste of the Wild is holding strong to their lines of specialized and everyday dry kibble and wet food diets.
Even though Acana is up-and-coming, utilizing new tactics through fresh and frozen food turned into kibblewe have to give this to Taste of the Wild.
TasteAcana
We have to say that both of these dog foods were a real hit regarding flavor. Both the dry kibble and wet food selections have an appetite-inducing medley of ingredients that can satisfy the taste buds of even picky pooches.
We dont like that Taste of the Wild sometimes advertises specific proteins that arent in the top three ingredients. That could be misleading to buyers. Acana never does thisaiming to add the
Nutritional ValueAcana
Taste of the Wild and Acana have comprehensive ingredient lists. Each brand uses well-researched formulas that offer substantial nutrition for household pets.
Acana sort of evolved into the current recipes while Taste of the Wild started out offering excellent, biologically appropriate premium but affordable meals.
However, with Acanas new lines, the nutritional value is impeccable. They incorporate lightly cooked and raw pieces into their food lines to promote proper protein benefits.
While Taste of the Wild definitely has high protein recipes, your dog might not receive as much nutritionally.
PriceTaste of the Wild
Both brands are similarly priced. However, Taste of the Wild is more budget-friendly.
SelectionTaste of the Wild
Both Acana and Taste of the Wild have some pretty delicious recipes (our dogs told us so.) However, Taste of the Wild offers more variety, which can appeal to a wider audience.
Dont fretAcana is growing by the day, offering new recipes that include dry kibble and wet canned selections.
HistoryAcana
History is important to us. Thats why we have to go with Acana on this one. Taste of the Wild has had recalls and was also involved with multiple lawsuits regarding its pet food recipes.
No one is perfect, and there are bound to be issues with any company, but we think Acana comes out on top here.
OverallAcana
We think your best option between these two brands is Acana. While both can help your dog thrive, Acana has comprehensive and growing recipes that offer an even better natural approach to dog food.
Taste of the Wild just might wow consumers with a new line incorporating these ideas. But for now, Acana is in the lead.
Final Verdict
We think both dog foods aim to give your little guy or gal proper nutrition. With advancements in the industry, both lines will likely change with the ebb and flow of consumer expectations.
Overall, we commend both brands for being excellent in their own right. Innovative and nutritious, Taste of the Wild and Acana will both be around a long time. But with all things considered, Acana is our favorite.
