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ACANA Freshwater Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 4.5-lb bag
ACANA

Freshwater Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 4.5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $6.22/lb

ACANA Freshwater Fish Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 4.5-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 53/100 (C) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Score capped at 64 due to DCM-pulse trigger.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for not stated.

ACF

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Score capped at 64 due to DCM-pulse trigger.

CAP why?

Contains high legume stacking. Three or more pulse-family ingredients in top 10. Split-ingredient evidence of pea/lentil/chickpea reliance..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 33%
Protein
29%
min (as fed)
Fat
17%
min (as fed)
Fiber
6%
max (as fed)
Moisture
12%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

42 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    rainbow trout
  2. 2
    catfish
  3. 3
    catfish meal
  4. 4
    red lentils

    Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →

  5. 5
    pinto beans
  6. 6
    green peas

    Same as peas. Useful in small amounts. The concern is when pulses dominate the top of the ingredient list. See why →

  7. 7
    catfish oil
  8. 8
    lentils

    Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

  9. 9
    chickpeas

    Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  10. 10
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  11. 11
    freshwater drum
  12. 12
    pollock meal
  13. 13
    mackerel meal
  14. 14
    fish oil

    Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.

  15. 15
    lentil fiber
  16. 16
    natural fish flavor
  17. 17
    pea starch

    Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.

  18. 18
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  19. 19
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  20. 20
    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

  21. 21
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  22. 22
    collard greens
  23. 23
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

  24. 24
    pears
  25. 25
    mixed tocopherols

    Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative.

Showing first 25 of 42. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

13 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.