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In The Kibble
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BRAND

Acana

Owned by Champion Petfoods (Mars Petcare / Mars, Incorporated)Edmonton, Alberta

RECIPES REVIEWED
23
AVG PROTEIN, DM
34.3%
AVG STARCH
29%
FDA RECALLS
None since 2012
LINES
Wholesome Grains 9 Singles 4 Highest Protein 3
THE LINES

Acana Lines, Reviewed

3 lines

Acana sorts its dry dog food into three kibble lines, and the split comes down mostly to grain and protein level. Highest Protein (3 recipes) and Singles (4 recipes) are fully grain free, while all 9 Wholesome Grains recipes include grains such as oat groats and whole sorghum. Every line is kibble only, so they compare directly.

On the label, as fed, Highest Protein lists 33% protein and averages 26% estimated starch, drawing on fish, red meats and poultry. Singles lists 31% protein and 29% starch, with each recipe built on one animal protein: beef, pork, duck or lamb. Wholesome Grains runs from 27% to 31% protein and 19% to 34% starch. All three lines sit above the catalog kibble average of 26.9% protein and below its 37.4% starch average.

Wholesome Grains

9 kibble
Protein
27.7%
Fat
17.2%
Starch
30.1%
Kcal / cup
738

Average kibble, as fed

Wholesome Grains is Acana's grain-inclusive kibble line: all 9 recipes pair meat or fish with grains such as oat groats and whole sorghum. Protein runs from 27% to 31% and estimated starch from 19% to 34%, and only one recipe lists peas or lentils.

A good fit for: Owners who want grain in the bowl and no potato; Owners seeking a single animal protein: lamb, duck or fish

Read the Wholesome Grains review

Singles

4 kibble
Protein
31%
Fat
17%
Starch
29%
Kcal / cup
388

Average kibble, as fed

Acana Singles is a grain-free kibble line of four limited ingredient recipes, each built on one animal protein: beef, pork, duck or lamb. All four share 31% protein and 29% estimated starch, so the protein source is the main difference.

A good fit for: Owners who want one animal protein per bag; Owners rotating proteins without changing calories per cup

Read the Singles review

Highest Protein

3 kibble
Protein
33%
Fat
17%
Starch
26%
Kcal / cup
391

Average kibble, as fed

Acana Highest Protein is a three-recipe grain-free kibble line built on fish, red meat or poultry, each listing 33% protein and 17% fat. Its name marks it as the brand's protein-focused range, and every recipe sits above the kibble catalog average of 26.9% protein.

A good fit for: Owners seeking kibble at 33% protein, above the catalog average; Owners avoiding grain and potato who are fine with peas or lentils

Read the Highest Protein review
WHICH LINE FITS

Choosing Between The Acana Lines

All recipes

23 foods matched · newest first
Acana Wholesome Grains 9 recipes · See all
DEEP DIVE

Inside The Acana Range

Across 23 recipes we review

Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (34.3% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).

Starch is lower than average, at 29% of the food as fed.

100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).

61% of recipes are grain-free.

NUTRITION

How The Range Measures Up

this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review

Protein, dry matter 34% 31% to 41%
15%site avg 30%50%
Fat, dry matter 19% 11% to 22%
5%site avg 18%30%
Starch, as fed 29% 19% to 34%
10%site avg 37%60%
Kcal per cup 391 344 to 435
250site avg 395600

Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out

INGREDIENTS

What Goes In The Bowl

Fish 65% 34%
Chicken 39% 56%
Turkey 39% 20%
Egg 39% 31%
Lamb 22% 14%
Pork 22% 11%
Beef 17% 20%

Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.

Ingredients Some Owners Avoid

By-products 0% 13%
Artificial colors 0% 1%
Chemical preservatives 0% 9%
Corn 0% 15%
Wheat 0% 13%
Soy 0% 10%

These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.

LIFE STAGE
  • All Life Stages16
  • Puppy4
  • Adult3
BREED SIZE
  • All Breeds21
  • Large Breed1
  • Small Breed1
SPECIAL DIETS
  • Grain-free (no wheat, corn, rice, barley or oats)14
  • Limited Ingredient7
Acana Butcher’s Favorites, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food MOST PROTEIN Acana Butcher’s Favorites, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe Dry Dog Food 40.9% dry matter Acana Wholesome Grains Sea to Stream Fish & Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food LEAST STARCH Acana Wholesome Grains Sea to Stream Fish & Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food 19% as fed Acana Light & Fit Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food FEWEST CALORIES Acana Light & Fit Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food 344 kcal per cup
THE COMPANY

About Acana

Owner
Champion Petfoods (Mars Petcare / Mars, Incorporated)
Ownership
Subsidiary of a private company
Headquarters
Edmonton, Alberta

Who Makes It

ACANA is a dry and wet dog and cat food brand made by Champion Petfoods, which also makes ORIJEN. Champion has been part of Mars Petcare since 2023 and operates as an independent business unit within Mars Pet Nutrition. The company says ACANA recipes contain at least 50% premium animal ingredients and no added soy, corn, tapioca or wheat. 1, 2

Where It Is Made

The brand says its food is made in its own kitchens in Edmonton, Alberta and Auburn, Kentucky. Mars describes Champion's dry foods as manufactured in company-owned kitchens in Canada and the United States. 2, 3

History

Champion Petfoods was founded in Alberta, Canada in 1985 and was described as the country's largest independent pet food company. Mars Petcare agreed to buy Champion from an investor group led by Bedford Capital and the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan in November 2022 and completed the acquisition on February 28, 2023. 4, 1

Worth Knowing

A federal class action alleged that ACANA and ORIJEN foods contained heavy metals and BPA that were not disclosed to buyers. A district court granted summary judgment for Champion in 2022, and the Second Circuit affirmed that ruling in June 2023. 5

  1. mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/mars-petcare-completes-acquisition-of-champion-petfoods
  2. acana.com/en-US/our-acana-story/our-story.html
  3. mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/mars-petcare-acquire-champion-petfoods
  4. edmonton.taproot.news/news/2022/11/09/global-giant-acquires-edmontons-champion-petfoods
  5. natlawreview.com/article/summary-judgment-champion-petfoods-affirmed-heavy-metals-class-action-lawsuit

Researched from the sources above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

RECALL HISTORY // ACANA

No Recalls In Our Record Since 2012

Our log holds FDA dog food recall notices from 2012 on, so this is not a guarantee that Acana has never had one. See the recall log

NEWS & PRESS

What Acana Has Announced

JUN 17, 2024
NEW PRODUCT ACANA Pet Food Team Launches "Lights, Camera, Classics" Program to Celebrate New ACANA Classics Recipes

Champion Petfoods introduced ACANA Classics in the US, a line of three dry dog foods: Chicken & Barley, Salmon & Barley and Beef & Barley. The launch came with a movies-in-the-park promotion and a sweepstakes. PR Newswire (Champion Petfoods)

All Acana news →

HEAD TO HEAD

Acana Compared With Other Brands

Acana vs Orijen Fromm vs Acana Acana vs Taste of the Wild Zignature vs Acana Nulo vs Acana Instinct vs Acana

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