The Ultimate Guide to Lamb Based Dog Food Exploring Acana s Offerings

Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dry Dog Food

Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dry Dog Food

$34.99 $119.99

Acana Singles Lamb Apple Dry Dog Food is a high quality food for dogs of all breeds and also all ages. This dog food is made with Canadian ranch-raised lamb as the single source of protein. Is also includes other grain free and high fiber foods, such as pumpkin and apples. The ingredients in this food are delivered fresh to Acanas award winning kitchen every day, so your pet gets the freshest and healthiest ingredients in their food.

Acana collaborates with a specially curated group of leading farmers, ranchers and fisheries that they have had relationships with for decades. Their strong network enables them to source only the best, including lamb from New Zealand, fish from Scandinavia and many premium ingredients from our neighbours. No matter what, every ingredient used is selected for its nutritional value, digestibility and superior flavour.

Acana is an industry leader for quality pet food. Acana Singles Lamb and Apple formula delivers nutrients in their whole food form. This reduces the need to supplement. In fact, the only supplement needed is zinc. This dog food is infused with freeze dried duck, so it is palatable for even the pickiest eaters. This single-protein food is fantastic for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

Why We Recommend Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dry Dog Food:

• Made with 50% ranch-raised lamb
• Also made with 50% fresh fruit and vegetables
• Does not include unnecessary preservatives
• Made in Canada
• Made with locally grown sea vegetables to support healthy digestion
• Infused with freeze-dried duck liver, so it is highly palatable
• Limited carbohydrates supports healthy weight and blood sugar levels
• The only added supplement is Zinc

Acana Singles Lamb and Apple Dry Dog Food Ingredients:

Raw grass-fed lamb (17%), dehydrated lamb meat (17%), raw lamb organs (liver, kidney, tripe) (17%), whole chickpeas, whole lentils, pollock oil (5%), fresh apples (4%), dehydrated sweet potatoes (4%), lentil fibre, lamb fat (3%), lamb cartilage (0.9%), salt, dried kelp, fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, freeze-dried lamb liver (0.1%), fresh whole cranberries, fresh whole blueberries, chicory root, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, milk thistle, rosehips, turmeric root.

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: 110^9 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).

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude protein 31%
• Fat content 17%
• Crude ash 9%
• Crude fibre 6%
• Moisture 12%
• Calcium 1.5%
• Phosphorus 1.1%
• Omega-3 fatty acids 1%
• Omega-6 fatty acids 1.2%
• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 0.15%
• EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) 0.1%

Feeding Guidelines:

* 1 cup = 120 g. To help maintain freshness. We recommend sealing the bag tightly and storing it in a cool, dry location. This chart is a guide and may differ based on your dogs feeding habits and activity levels.

Acana Dog Food Reviews 2024: Best Biologically Appropriate Diet?

The Acana dog food brandis known for producing biologically appropriate diets for dogs and cats these are diets that mimic the natural evolutionary diets of wild dogs and cats. But what exactly does that mean?

For one thing, all of their products are protein-rich and meat-based. More importantly, they are designed in accordance with a whole prey philosophy of pet nutrition. Wild dogs & cats dont just pick the best meat off the bones they eat the entire animal, skin, organs, and raw bone included.

Here at DogFood.Guide we have a dedicated mission to provide dog owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the nutrition and health care towards their dogs.

Our readers rely upon our dog food articles, reviews and recall alerts that we took the time to research. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.

DogFood.Guide is maintained by Mary Nielsen & her staff. Mary is an advocate and lover. She and her staff are passionate about animals and work hard to provide you with a wealth of information for you and your dog.

Our site is supported by our readers. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may earn a referral fee. This helps cover the cost of operating our free blog. Thanks for your support!

That is why Acanas pet foods include meat, organs, and cartilage in healthy ratios to mirror the natural diet of wild wolves it is the simplest way to deliver nutrients to create a complete and balanced diet without the need for dozens of synthetic supplements.

Furthermore, all of their products are made with fresh, regional ingredients and produced in award-winning kitchens.

Learn more about this company via our detailed Acana dog food reviews below.

Manufacturer Information

The Acana brand of pet food is made by Champion Petfoods. This company is an independent pet food manufacturer that has been in business for more than 25 years.

Champion Petfoods is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and it is the same company that produces the Orijen brand of pet foods. Both of these brands make use of fresh, regional ingredients.

Made in the USA?

While they are a Canada-based company, some of their products are manufactured in the United States. The primary manufacturing plant used by Champion Petfoods to produce their products is the DogStar facility located in Alberta, Canada they also have a plant in Ontario.

In 2014, Champion Petfoods announced that they would be building a new production facility in Auburn, Kentucky.

That kitchen opened in 2016 and it is primarily used to produce Champion pet foods designated for sale in the U.S. Like Champions other manufacturing facilities, this new plant will only be used to make Acana and Orijen products no private label pet foods.

Reviewed Acana Dog Foods

The Acana brand only offers dry food formulas, but they are all made with fresh, regional ingredients in formulas that mimic the natural evolutionary diet of wild dogs nutrition the way Mother Nature intended.

Each one their recipes is meat-rich and chock-full of protein as well as other nourishing ingredients like fresh fruits and vegetables.

Their dry foods are designed in keeping with a whole prey philosophy of nutrition which includes fresh meat, organs, and cartilage in natural ratios to ensure complete and balanced nutrition without the need for dozens of synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements.

Acana Dog Food Reviews

1. Acana Singles Lamb & Apple Recipe
2. Acana Regionals Wild Prairie Recipe
3. Acana Appalachian Ranch
4. Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat Recipe
5. Acana Puppy & Junior Formula
6. Acana Singles Freeze-Dried Lamb & Apple Dog Treats

Singles (Limited Ingredients)

Acanas Limited Ingredients range features only one animal protein source, so you can ensure that your dog doesnt eat anything he shouldnt. Protein comes only from animal meat with no plant protein substitutes like peas.

1. Singles Lamb & Apple Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Lamb Liver, Sweet Potato, Whole Chickpeas

Rating: 5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A limited-ingredient, nutrient-dense and high in protein, nourishing dogs completely with whole grass-fed lamb and delicious red apples. Crafted from whole, quality animal ingredients for a biologically appropriate diet.

Your meat-loving furry buddy will love this recipe from Acana. Made from 65% lamb ingredients, its loaded with enough protein to fuel even the most energetic and active pup.

This formulation is grain-free and meets the nutritional requirement of dogs of all life stages. Its crafted to support circulatory and immune system functions as well as a healthy digestion and gut health.

The first ingredient is a premium one deboned lamb. It is further supported by the next ingredient, which is lamb meal.

Dont be concerned about lamb meal. Its merely fresh lamb that has gone through a cooking process to remove most of the moisture (fresh meat has a lot of water content).

In fact, if you compare a 500 lbs. of fresh lamb against the same amount of lamb meal, the lamb meal will have more protein in it because its mostly meat with little water.

After lamb meal is lamb liver. Did you know that its one of the most nutritious organs? Its abundant in B vitamins, soluble vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, copper, and potassium. Its safe to consume and is even more nutritionally-dense than muscle meat.

Since there are no grains, carbohydrates must come from other sources. This is where the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and lentils come in. These are rich in nutrients and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are more filling, higher in fiber, and digest more slowly than simple carbs.

Why is there apple in the recipe? Well, aside from the interesting flavor it adds to the lamb, apples are also rich sources of fiber and vitamins A & C. And because your dog can not have too much antioxidants, pumpkin and whole cranberries were included in the mixture to make it even more healthy for your pet.

What about lamb fat and pollock oil? Pollock oil has high levels of EPA and DHA (Omega-3 fatty acids) to help your pet maintain a lustrous coat and healthy skin, joints, and cardiovascular system.

The lamb fat, meanwhile, gives your dog a good amount of dietary fat necessary in his diet. Fat gives dogs more endurance, cushioning, and insulation (particularly important during winter).

Since the Singles Limited Ingredient Diet is meant to provide WholePrey ratios of meat, you can also find lamb cartilage, lamb tripe, and freeze-dried lamb liver here.

Lastly, good dog food recipes do not forget about a dogs digestive health. Its not just fiber thats important, probiotics play a major part too. Probiotics maintain an intestinal microbial balance, which are essential in enhancing immune responses and reducing the duration of diarrhea.

This formulation gets our highest rating because we really do not see any ingredient that shouldnt be there. Everything is premium and well-thought out. The ratio of nutrients is also fine and nothing is too much or too low.

Other recipes in the Singles range include:

• Duck & Pear
• Beef & Pumpkin
• Duck & Pumpkin
• Lamb & Pumpkin

Grain-Free (Regionals)

Acana Regionals are protein-rich and grain-free recipes, which are crafted with 70% premium animal ingredients. These feature diverse ingredients sourced from Appalachian ranches, Kentucky farmlands and meadows.

2. Regionals Wild Prairie Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Boneless Chicken, Chicken Meal, Green Peas, Turkey Meal, Chicken Liver Oil

Rating: 5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Loaded with organic protein sources: walleye, whitefish, chicken and eggs. Plus organic sea vegetables and botanicals to help enhance the gut system and metabolism.

This Regionals Wild Prairie Recipe is inspired by the fertile prairies and pristine lakes of western Canada. It is a protein-rich recipe loaded with free-run Cobb chicken, whole nest-laid eggs, and wild-caught fish, all of which are delivered fresh daily to their award-winning Alberta kitchens.

This formula is designed in keeping with whole prey ratios including 70% meat ingredients that is up to twice the amount you find in most specialty products. This recipe features five different fresh meats as well as fresh fruits and vegetables and a limited assortment of synthetic supplements to ensure complete and balanced nutrition for dogs in all life stages.

As promised, the first ingredient in this recipe is fresh chicken meat. This ingredient is followed by fresh turkey meat and then by an assortment of chicken giblets liver, heart, and kidney to be specific.

Some dry foods run into a problem when they use fresh meat as the first ingredient. Fresh meats contain up to 80% moisture by volume so, when the product is cooked down to 10% or 12% moisture, much of that volume is lost which means that the total volume of protein could be much lower.

This isnt the case with this Acana dry products, however, because not only does it contain multiple fresh meats but it also contains three meat meals chicken, turkey, and herring. Meat meals are simply fresh meats that have already been cooked to remove moisture which makes them a highly-concentrated source of protein.

The main carbohydrates used in this formula are whole green peas, whole red lentils, and whole chickpeas. Not only are these carbohydrates highly digestible for dogs, but they are also gluten-free and grain-free which equates to a low risk for triggering food allergies and sensitivities.

You will also find some supplementary carbohydrates further down the list whole green lentils, whole pinto beans, and whole yellow peas.

In addition to these carbs there are some supplementary sources of fiber as well lentil fiber, dried brown kelp, and an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. There is also chicory root, a source of inulin which is a prebiotic fiber that helps to support the beneficial bacteria in your dogs digestive tract.

The remaining ingredients consist of supplementary proteins and carbohydrates as well as healthy fats, herbs and spices, and nutritional supplements.

Much of the fat in this recipe comes from the fresh meats, meat meals, and organ meats but there is also pollock oil as an animal-based fat, this ingredient is highly beneficial for your dog and a source of concentrated energy.

The herbs and spices used in this recipe help to add flavor and they (along with the fresh fruits and vegetables) act as natural sources for key nutrients. Because these ingredients are used so prolifically, this recipe doesnt require a lot of synthetic supplements to ensure nutritional balance there are only three supplements listed: vitamin E, zinc chelate, and copper chelate.

Chelated minerals are highly beneficial for dogs because they have been chemically bound to protein molecules which makes them easier to digest and absorb. This recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.

Overall, this kibble is an excellent source of high-quality nutrition for dogs in all life stages. This recipe starts out strong with two fresh meats as the primary ingredients followed by several sources of gluten-free and grain-free carbohydrates.

This formula is loaded with fresh meats, meat meals, and nutrient-rich organ meats as well as fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients. This recipe doesnt need many synthetic supplements but, of the three that are listed, two are chelated minerals.

The only way in which this recipe could be improved might be in reducing the fiber content the max crude fiber is at 7% while the ideal maximum for dogs is closer to 5%. All in all, however, this is a high-quality recipe.

3. Acana Appalachian Ranch

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Deboned Pork, Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Beef Meal

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Nutrient-dense and protein rich recipe, nourishing dogs completely using whole ranch-raised beef, grass-fed lamb, catfish, Yorkshire pork and bison.

This recipe, like the other Regional Formulas, contains WholePrey ratios of organs, fish, meat, cartilage, and bone to provide dogs of all life stages with nutrients in their most natural form. There arent any tapioca, gluten, potato, or grains included.

The protein content in this recipe is at a high 33%, and this is due to the five types of animal meat that feature in it. The first three ingredients are deboned beef, deboned pork, and deboned lamb. These are followed up by lamb meal, beef meal, and pork meal. Aside from these, theres also deboned bison and whole catfish.

And if the above werent enough, theres a plethora of organ meats here, such as liver, tripe, kidneys, and cartilage. Organ meat may not sound nice, but these are important to a canines diet.

The nutrients they contain are so dense (even denser than muscle meats nutrient content) that their benefits cannot be denied.

Organ meats contribute to a healthy heart, luxurious coats, and lean muscles. The most premium parts are the liver, heart, and kidneys. These three contain plenty of vitamins A, B, D, K, E, and the minerals iron and zinc. If youre looking for nutritious dog food, those with organ meats included are usually good.

Dogs need carbohydrates, despite what some say. Dogs, especially working ones, need carbs to replenish their glycogen stores. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose, which is used by the bodys cells for energy. Since there are no grains here (which are carbs), alternatives were used instead.

To provide the required carbs, Acana included green and yellow peas, lentils, pinto beans, and chickpeas. Most legumes are healthy sources of complex carbohydrates, not to mention potassium and protein. Theyre also good sources of dietary fiber, which is crucial to maintaining a healthy bowel movement (particularly essential for senior doggies).

A balanced meal should not contain only meat but also a good amount of greens and fruits. From here, we can deem that the Acana Appalachian formula is an excellent one because it contains not only legumes but 10 more fruits and vegetables like pumpkin, apples, pears, squash, and kale.

It also contains spices that are good for dogs to eat. For example, it has turmeric which aids in arthritis relief, supports brain health, and protects against anemia. It also has chicory root that contains inulin a prebiotic; sarsaparilla root as an anti-inflammatory; rosehips for joint health; and juniper berries for kidney and bladder health.

Its a close to perfect recipe with high-quality ingredients and good nutrient ratios. The only thing we would change is to make the protein content a bit lower, but its not really a bad thing.

Were giving this dog food our two thumbs or paws up.

Other Acana Grain-Free recipes include:

• Grasslands (Grass-Fed Kentucky Lamb, Freshwater Trout & Game Bird)
• Meadowland (Free Run Kentucky Poultry, Freshwater Fish & Nest-Laid Eggs)
• Wild Atlantic (Wild-Caught New England Fish & Fresh Kentucky Greens)

Wholesome Grains (Grain Inclusive)

Dogs are omnivores and grains provide the carbohydrate boost they need for their daily energy requirements. With the Grain Inclusive range, dogs get at least 50% animal ingredients with richly nourishing grains that are also packed with fiber.

4. Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Deboned Pork, Beef Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Sorghum

Rating: 5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A kibble rich in protein from ranch-raised beef, Yorkshire pork, and grass-fed lamb along with wholseome grains. Its proprietary vitamin pack is a unique blend of B vitamins, E vitamins, taurine, and choline to promote overall healthy systems.

With this recipe, dogs will get 60% animal ingredients (muscle meat, cartilage, and organs) mixed in with wholesome grains to support your pets peak health.

There are three main animal meats here beef, pork, and lamb. It starts with deboned beef, which is quickly followed by deboned pork, beef meal, pork meal, and deboned lamb. The combination of these three kinds of meat bring up the protein content to a high 27%.

The proteins not as high when compared to Acanas grain-free ranges but it is more than the AAFCO prescribed dry dog food profiles or the average content of dog foods.

As with all of Acanas offerings, this recipe contains organ meats too, specifically beef, lamb and pork livers, pork and beef kidneys, and beef tripe.

Organs offer an abundance of vitamins (A, B and D), minerals (iron, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium), protein, and fat. And to support joint health, beef cartilage has been added for its chondroitin content.

To supplement a dogs need for energy, he needs fat. Fortunately, this formula contains a high-quality kind in the form of beef fat. Fat not only supplies energy, it also helps reduce inflammation, provides cushioning in cold weather, and regulates bodily functions.

Ever wondered about dried kelp? Because its present in this recipe. You can usually see this ingredient in many premium dog foods. Dried kelp is added by many dog food manufacturers because this seaweed helps our furry friends in a number of ways. Its made of 25% protein, contains 21 amino acids, and has 60 vitamins and minerals.

All of the nutrients kelp contains can help your dogs metabolism, digestion, skin, and thyroid glands. If you were to take a daily multivitamin supplement, this would be its seaweed counterpart.

As for the rest of the ingredients, theyre made up of supplemental nutrients, natural preservatives, a few spices, and probiotics. We like the protein content here. Its not too high and not too low. It sits slightly over the average percentage, and just right.

Other Wholesome Grains recipes include:

• American Waters (Whole Saltwater & Freshwater Fish)
• Free-Run Poultry (Chicken, Turkey & Cage-Free Eggs)

Healthy Grains

One of Acanas newest offerings to date, the Healthy Grains line features recipes containing 80-85% animal protein balanced with wholesome and ancient grains like sorghum, millet, and oats.

5. Healthy Grains Large Breed Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Fresh Chicken Meat, Dehydrated Chicken Meat, Oat Groats, Whole Sorghum, Whole Millet

Rating: 5/5

This Healthy Grains recipe is formulated exclusively to help big breeds get the support they need to keep their large frames fit and healthy.

Typically, large and giant breeds grow up to 18 months old and this growing phase (which is often accompanied by rapid development too) puts a lot of stress on their bones and joints.

Acanas large breed recipe keeps that fast growth in check, helping your pup maintain an overall healthy body. The guaranteed levels of glucosamine in the food helps with this.

Like all Acana formulations, this one starts with meata combination of dehydrated and fresh chicken. Oat groats, whole sorghum, and whole millet complete the list of the first five ingredients.

But there should be no worry that these grains will overwhelm the food. The fresh chicken meat makes up 19% of the food and the dehydrated one makes up another 19%.

The grains chosen are premium ones that you would not feel guilty about when feeding your dog. These provide your pooch with carbohydrates for quick bursts of energy and also fiber to keep his digestive system well-functioning.

These arent the only meats in the recipe. Acana also added dehydrated turkey meat, fresh chicken giblets, eggs, raw turkey meat, chicken cartilage, and raw turkey liver. The result is a crude protein content of 29%, quite enough to sustain the needs of a playful and highly active dog.

Rounding up the foods is the inclusion of fresh and whole fruits and veggies like butternut squash, pumpkin, pears, apples, zucchini, and more. The addition of these produce gives your pet dog plenty of naturally-derived nutrients.

The recipe also comes with guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat as well as EPA and DHA for the proper development and maintenance of the neuronal, retinal, and immune functions.

Other Healthy Grains recipes:

• Free-Run Poultry (Free-Run Chicken, Turkey & Cage-Free Eggs)
• Puppy (Free-Run Poultry, Cage-Free Eggs & Herring)
• Ranch-Raised Red Meat (Ranch-Raised Beef & Farm-Raised Pork)

Freeze-Dried Patties

The Freeze-Dried Patties range provides the taste and benefits of raw nutrition without the mess. These are made up of 90% quality animal ingredients (ranch-raised beef, free-run poultry, or sustainably-caught fish) which are then infused in a savory bone broth to add a burst of extra flavor.

The recipes follow a whole prey diet formulation using the meat, organs, and bone for a more nourishing meal.

6. Acana Freeze-Dried Patties Duck Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Duck with Ground Bone, Turkey with Ground Bone, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Pumpkin

Rating: 5/5

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

This makes raw feeding easier on your end while your pet gains all the benefits. This freeze-dried patties are made with 90% animal meat sources making it both nutritious and delicious.

Acana Freeze-Dried Patties gives your pet all of the nutrition of raw food without the inconvenience. This recipe makes for easy raw feeding for your pup wherever you take him.

The first four ingredients of the food are animal proteinsduck with ground bone, turkey with ground bone, chicken liver, and whole herring. Theres a pumpkin in there and natural fish flavor, then a couple of animal proteins again.

Since the meat content is so high, its no wonder why the crude protein level is at 46%. This much protein is enough to power even performance or working dogs, canines who need lots of energy to sustain their daily activities.

This is a grain-free dog food recipe. The fiber, which is necessary to maintain a properly working digestive system, is taken from pumpkin and butternut squash instead.

There are also a couple more produce here, like organic carrots and pear. These allow much of the vitamins and minerals in the food to be naturally-derived rather than synthetically added.

One highlighted ingredient in the food is bone broth. Why bone broth? Bone broth is stock liquid that is made from raw or cooked bones and it is packed with nutrients. The infused turkey bone broth here raises the palatability of the food and boosts the already nutrition-packed food with even more nutrients.

Because the food is freeze-dried, you can feed it two ways. Add water to the patties and serve, or crumble them (the texture allows for easy crumbling) on top of your dogs regular food as a topper.

The food meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs.

Other Freeze-Dried Patties recipes:

• Ranch-Raised Beef
• Free-Run Chicken
• Free-Run Turkey

Rescue Care for Adopted Dogs

This line from Acana is the first ever to put rescues first. The range contains recipes of nourishing kibble that are specially formulated to help support a shelter dogs transition to their forever home.

These recipes are the result of shelter research and reviews by external veterinarians and crafted with the help of Acanas in-house veterinarian.

7. ACANA Rescue Care For Adopted Dogs Red Meat Sensitive Digestion

First 5 ingredients: Beef, Beef Meal, Oat Groats, Whole Green Peas, Whole Red Lentils

Rating: 5/5

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

This makes raw feeding easier on your end while your pet gains all the benefits. This freeze-dried patties are made with 90% animal meat sources making it both nutritious and delicious.

Because shelter dogs often experience stress and digestive upsets while in shelters, Acanas Rescue Care for Adopted Dogs helps nurture these dogs, making their transition to their forever home seamless.

The recipes in this line feature ingredients that will nurture a shelter dogs usually sensitive stomach and skin, giving him back the strength to recover to become the healthy and lively dog he was meant to be.

The recipes contain prebiotics and fiber to address digestive issues, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to give shine and health back to the skin and hair, and plenty of antioxidants to support your pets immune system.

This particular formulation starts with beef and beef meal. The concentration of the meat is high, which accounts for the 27% minimum crude protein level of the food. If your pup is playful and active, he should be able to get a sustained supply of energy from these kibbles protein content.

Oat groats are gentle on the tummy, which is why these were selected to provide fiber and carbohydrates to your pup. A few legume ingredients (dont worry, theres not enough to overwhelm the meats and cause concern) provide additional carb and nutrient support.

Not only does this recipe help dogs transition from their temporary shelters to their new lifelong homes, but the purchase of each dog food in the range also equals one meal given to a shelter friend through the brands commitment to supporting the needs of rescues.

Other Rescue Care For Adopted Dogs recipe:

• Free-Run Poultry, Liver & Whole Oats

Premium Chunks

Acana Premium Chunks are hearty recipes of meat, poultry, or fish chunks in a savory bone broth base. All recipes in this range contain 85% animal ingredients and 15% vegetables and fruit.

8. Acana Premium Chunks, Pork Recipe in Bone Broth

First 5 ingredients: Pork, Pork Broth, Beef Bone Broth, Pork Liver, Sweet Potatoes

Rating:5/5

The Acana Premium Chunks Pork Recipe is an excellent way to entice picky eaters to chow down and provide hydration to dogs. The savory broth adds a more crave-worthy flavor to the food that finicky pups will find hard to resist.

The first four ingredients of this meaty formulation are made up of pork, pork broth, beef bone broth, and pork liver. These are either fresh or raw.

The fresh ingredients are refrigerated to preserve them, while the raw ones are frozen at peak freshness. There is no other method of preservation used on the meats aside from these and the canning process.

Because the recipe is filled with meat, the minimum crude protein level of this recipe is a high 8%. While that may not seem much compared to the percentage of protein in dry food, when you convert the protein to a dry matter basis, this will come out to 44%.

(To convert, simply subtract the moisture content from 100%. In this case, moisture is 82%. Whats left is 18%. Divide protein content by 18% then multiply the result by 100.)

Although cut into chunks, the food here has a soft texture that is easy to chew and digest. This recipe and all others in the range (except for the puppy food) are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, including growth of large size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult).

The chunks are a complete and balanced meal, but you can also feed them as toppers on your dogs regular kibble.

Other Premium Chunks recipes:

• Beef Recipe in Bone Broth
• Duck Recipe in Bone Broth
• Poultry Recipe in Bone Broth
• Lamb Recipe in Bone Broth
• Puppy Recipe in Bone Broth (Premium Pate)

Other Recipes

While Acana has many recipes that cater to all life stages and all breeds, they also offer formulas that are crafted specifically for one life stage.

9. Acana Puppy & Junior Formula

First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Whole Green Peas, Whole Red Lentils

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

It combines premium free-run turkey and chicken, wild-caught flounder, and cage-free eggs, with a medley of vegetables, fruit, and botanicals to give your puppy a nourishing diet.

This grain-free formula consists of three main animal proteins from turkey, chicken, and flounder and a blend of legumes, fruit, and veggies. It follows the WholePrey Diet with its meat, organs and cartilage mix.

The recipe begins with deboned turkey, followed by deboned chicken meal, chicken meal, and turkey meal. Somewhere in the middle you can also find Atlantic flounder, and whole eggs. Theres a strong presence of protein here a combination of fresh and meal. In case meat meals concern you, lets put that to rest.

Meat meals are excellent ingredients as long as they are named. Say for example, chicken meal or turkey meal. If the animal where the meal comes from is clearly defined, then its okay.

But if say, its listed as a generic meat meal then that should give you pause because its not clear what animal the meat belonged to.

Also, meals are simply meat that have undergone a process to remove most of the water from them. They still contain all the nutrients theyre supposed to have, just not the moisture.

Because of the strong showing of meat ingredients, the minimum crude protein for this dog food is set at 31% an above average rating. Theyre further helped by the appearance of an organ meat such as chicken giblets and of chicken cartilage.

Chicken giblets contain a lot of vitamin A and B12, a good helping of riboflavin and niacin, and a bit of vitamin B6, zinc, pantothenic acid, copper, and magnesium. Chicken cartilage, meanwhile, contains glucosamine.

Glucosamine lubricates joints and maintains the resilience of connective tissues. It is particularly helpful for puppies of a certain breed that are prone to hip and joint problems.

A number of vegetables make themselves known here. Several are legumes which contain complex carbohydrates. These are peas, lentils, pinto beans, and chickpeas. There are also pumpkins, collard greens, and carrots. And to round off the nutritious list, you can also find several dog-friendly herbs.

We find that this recipe provides everything growing pooches need, including a healthy dose of DHA and EPA, which are vital in the development of a little pups central nervous system and retinal functions.

It also comes with probiotics that are crucial to a healthy gut system. Overall, we give this formula a high recommendation.

Other Heritage recipes include:

• Light & Fit Formula (Free-Run Chicken, Turkey & Wild-Caught Fish)
• Paleo (Fresh Wild Boar, Turkey & Rabbit)
• Feast (Free-Run Duck, Turkey & Quail)

Acana Dog Treats Review

Acanas dog treats follow the same theme as their Singles Limited Ingredients line. In these treats, there is only one animal protein and the list of ingredients are quite short perfect for choosy puppers or diet-sensitive canines.

10. Acana Singles Freeze-Dried Lamb & Apple Dog Treats

All ingredients: Lamb, Apples, Lamb Liver, Mixed Tocopherols

Rating: 5/5 stars

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

Made with a single, easily digestible animal protein. The meat is gently freeze-dried to lock in nutrients, and then combined with whole red delicious apples and sarsaparilla root for a simple, tasty, and nutritious treat.

These treats are freeze-dried so that your dog can taste the natural goodness of real meat and fruit in as close to their natural state as possible.

The list of the ingredients is short. There are only five products here to see and none of them is a synthetic preservative.

The first in the list is lamb, and it makes up about 60% of the recipe. When mixed with lamb liver (third in the list), the two together bring the protein level of these nuggets to 30%.

But thats not all these two provide. Lamb meat has the perfect amount of dietary fat for energy and lamb liver contains vitamins A, B, D, E, K, glycogen, copper, and potassium.

Apples are fantastic fruits. They contain plenty of fiber to help in waste elimination and regular bowel movement. Apples also have vitamin A and C.

The fourth ingredient might give you pause. Sarsaparilla root. Dont worry! Its a safe herb that offers many benefits as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, for healing skin problems, and to aid the kidneys functions.

Lastly, you have mixed tocopherols as preservatives. These are forms of vitamin E that are used to maintain freshness in food and extend shelf life.

For having recognizable ingredients, a short list of products, and excellent nutrient ratios, were giving these treats our highest rating.

*The Acana Lamb & Apple treats contain 40% fat, so please remember to give these sparingly to your pets. They shouldnt reach 10% of your dogs daily food intake.

Other Freeze-Dried Dog Treats include:

• Pork & Squash
• Duck & Pear
• Beef & Pumpkin
• Mackerel & Greens
• Turkey & Greens

High-Protein Biscuits

Acanas Hi-Protein Biscuits make treating guilt-free. These high-protein snacks contain 85% total protein from quality animal ingredients like ranch-raised beef or pork, liver, and free-run turkey or chicken. These are also grain-free so even your grain-sensitive pup can enjoy.

11. Acana High-Protein Biscuits Crunchy Chicken Liver Recipe

First 5 ingredients: Chicken Liver, Sweet Potato, Chicken Meal, Deboned Chicken, Natural Flavor

Rating:4.5/5

Acana High-Protein Biscuits are made from just a few natural ingredients, which makes treating dogs that much more guilt-free. These do not contain any artificial preservatives, and all flavors are naturally-derived.

This chicken liver formulation features just five simple ingredients, which are chicken liver, sweet potato, chicken meal, fresh deboned chicken, and chicken fat. There are only four other ingredients in the snacks and these are natural preservatives to keep them fresh longer.

Because theres a high concentration of meat in the treats, the minimum crude protein level is calculated to be 38%. And yet, because the brand used only lean types of proteins, each treat is equivalent to only 21 calories.

These treats are crafted for medium to large-sized breeds. Most of the High-Protein Biscuits are geared towards larger dogs. Only one recipe (Crunchy Turkey Liver) has a small breed version.

Other High-Protein Biscuits recipes:

• Crunchy Beef Liver
• Crunchy Pork Liver
• Crunchy Turkey Liver (from small breeds to medium breeds)
• Crunchy Turkey Liver (for medium to large breeds)

Ingredient Sourcing

The Acana brand makes it very clear that most of their ingredients are regionally sourced, but what exactly does that mean? Their brand is headquartered in Canada, so that means that most of their ingredients come from Canada as well.

Some of the regional ingredients they use in their recipes include cage-free poultry, ranch-raised meats, nest-laid eggs, and wild-caught fish as well as sun-ripened fruits and vegetables. All of their ingredients are fit for human consumption and they are delivered fresh daily to negate the need for preservatives.

Acana Recall History

Unlike many pet food brands, they don't outsource the production of their products. Champion Petfoods owns several manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada where they produce all of their Acana and Orijen products.

These facilities are held to the highest standards for safety and quality, plus all of the ingredients used are fresh and regionally sourced. All of this being true, it should come as no surprise to learn that they yet to be affected by a single Recall.

How expensive are their Products?

As a high-quality pet food brand that uses fresh, regional ingredients, their recipes are more expensive than the typical dry food. Keep in mind, however, that with their recipes you are paying for quality. The price for a 25-pound bag of their dry food ranges from about $55 to $115, depending on the recipe. You can purchase 3.25-ounce bags of treats for $12 to $20.

List of their Current Products

The Acana brand of pet food offers a wide variety of recipes, though all of them are dry food they don't currently offer any canned products. Their recipes are divided into four different product lines including a line of classic recipes and one line featuring regional ingredients.

There is also a small line of limited ingredient diets and one featuring recipes for different life stages. Although they don't offer any wet products, they do have a limited selection of dog treats made with the same quality ingredients as their dry foods.

Dry Products: They offer a total of twenty-three different dry recipes divided amongst four product lines. The Singles (or Limited Ingredients) line contains seven diets. The Wholesome Grains and Regionals ranges have four products each. The last range is a mishmash of recipes specific to a diet (Paleo and Light & Fit), breed size, or life stage.

The Heritage line includes nine protein-rich recipes for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs as well as sporting breeds and dogs who need to lose weight. The Regionals line contains four recipes that have been recently upgraded with 70% meat and the Singles line features four limited ingredient diets. Here is a list of their dry recipes:

Singles Limited Ingredients:

• Pork & Squash
• Lamb & Apple
• Duck & Pear
• Beef & Pumpkin
• Turkey & Pumpkin
• Duck & Pumpkin
• Lamb & Pumpkin

Wholesome Grains (Grain Inclusive):

• American Waters (Whole Saltwater & Freshwater Fish)
• Free-Run Poultry (Chicken, Turkey & Cage-Free Eggs)
• Red Meat (Ranch-Raised Beef, Yorkshire Pork & Grass-Fed Lamb)
• Kentucky Farmlands (Free-Run Chicken, Turkey & Duck)

Grain-Free (Regionals):

• Appalachian Ranch (Ranch-Raised Red Meats & Freshwater Catfish)
• Grasslands (Grass-Fed Kentucky Lamb, Freshwater Trout & Game Bird)
• Meadowland (Free Run Kentucky Poultry, Freshwater Fish & Nest-Laid Eggs)
• Wild Atlantic (Wild-Caught New England Fish & Fresh Kentucky Greens)

Treats: In addition to a variety of dry products, they also offer a limited selection of dog treats. These treats are made with a single source of protein as well as some of the same regional ingredients used in their dry foods. There are five different flavors of treats:

Treats:

• Pork & Squash
• Lamb & Apple
• Duck & Pear
• Beef & Pumpkin
• Mackerel & Greens