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Sniff
Classics Pâté, Fish Recipe
ACANA

Classics Pâté, Fish Recipe

Evidence Good
wet adult maintenance $52.68 Data verified from brand site

ACANA Classics Pâté, Fish Recipe earns a Sniff Score of 60/100 (B) with Good evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

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

FQI

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

STACK

Low protein quality. catfish delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 36%
Protein
8%
min (as fed)
Fat
4%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 36%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

45 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    catfish
  2. 2
    pork bone broth
  3. 3
    herring broth
  4. 4
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  5. 5
    pork

    Real meat. Dense protein and fat, though less common in dog food than chicken or beef.

  6. 6
    pork liver

    Organ meat. Dense in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A. Among the most nutritious ingredients on any label.

  7. 7
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  8. 8
    oats

    Whole grain. Steady energy, soluble fiber, and well-tolerated by most dogs.

  9. 9
    barley

    Whole grain with a low glycemic profile and some soluble fiber. Easy on blood sugar.

  10. 10
    ground dried chickpeas
  11. 11
    pumpkin

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

  12. 12
    oat hulls
  13. 13
    cranberries

    Often added with a urinary-tract-support marketing angle. Real cranberry compounds help in concentrate form, but kibble doses are small.

  14. 14
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  15. 15
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet.

  16. 16
    agar-agar

    Seaweed-derived gel used as a thickener. Functional alternative to carrageenan, generally well-tolerated.

  17. 17
    sunflower oil

    Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.

  18. 18
    fish oil

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

  19. 19
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  20. 20
    salt

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

  21. 21
    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  22. 22
    inulin

    Prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Same compound found in chicory root.

  23. 23
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  24. 24
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  25. 25
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

Showing first 25 of 45. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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

AAFCO statement

ACANA Classics Fish Recipe Pate Complete Adult Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance.