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ACANA

Wholesome Grains, Large Breed Puppy Recipe

Evidence Good
dry all life stages $41.99 / 22.5-lb bag Data verified from brand site

ACANA Wholesome Grains, Large Breed Puppy Recipe earns a Sniff Score of 74/100 (B) with Good evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

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

FQI
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 31%
Protein
27%
min (as fed)
Fat
15%
min (as fed)
Fiber
6%
max (as fed)
Moisture
12%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

47 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    chicken meal

    Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken.

  3. 3
    oat groats

    Whole oats with only the inedible hull removed. The most intact form of oats available.

  4. 4
    sorghum

    Whole grain with a low glycemic index. Gluten-free, well-tolerated, decent fiber content.

  5. 5
    millet

    Gluten-free whole grain. Fine for most dogs, often used as an alternative to rice.

  6. 6
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  7. 7
    oats

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

  8. 8
    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

  9. 9
    eggs

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.

  10. 10
    herring

    Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.

  11. 11
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

  12. 12
    natural flavor

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

  13. 13
    lentil fiber
  14. 14
    fish oil

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

  15. 15
    ground whole flaxseed
  16. 16
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

  17. 17
    pumpkin

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

  18. 18
    vegetable

    Unnamed vegetable. No way to know what species. Named vegetables are far more transparent.

  19. 19
    salt

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

  20. 20
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  21. 21
    potassium chloride

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

  22. 22
    taurine

    Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.

  23. 23
    dried kelp

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

  24. 24
    vitamin e supplement

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

  25. 25
    mixed tocopherols

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

Showing first 25 of 47. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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

AAFCO statement

ACANA Wholesome Grains Large Breed Puppy Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages including for growth of large size dog (70lb or more as an adult).