Butcher's Favorites™, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe
Graded by The Sniff System
ACANA Butcher's Favorites™, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe is a dry food for adult dogs, primarily featuring chicken and herring.
This formula has a strong protein profile, with chicken as the first ingredient, providing high biological value. It also includes quality fat sources like named chicken fat and marine oil, which is a good source of EPA and DHA. The use of fresh meat paired with same-species meal shows a thoughtful approach to its overall design.
The formula does contain multiple pulse-family ingredients like chickpeas, peas, and red lentils within the top 15. This high legume stacking is a pattern the FDA has noted in its DCM investigation, though it's partially mitigated here by the presence of organ meat.
Good fit for adult dogs who thrive on a high-protein diet. Less ideal if you prefer formulas without significant legume content.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
Frenchies have notoriously sensitive GI tracts plus a tendency toward obesity given their low activity needs. Limited-ingredient formulas with moderate calorie density tend to fit them well. Good fit for adult French Bulldogs and similar lower-energy companion breeds navigating a sensitive stomach. Chicken leads at position 1. What to watch: multiple protein sources stacked (harder to isolate triggers).
Looking at this for adult French Bulldogs or French Bulldogs with a sensitive stomach ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- NRC, 2006digestibility · fiber· cited in 2 claims
- AAFCO, 2024zinc
- Swanson et al., 2002prebiotics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 71/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from protein quality, worth 27 points to the final number: Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. Where it lost ground: controversial-ingredient penalty, costing 2 points. Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10. This formula sits 4.0 points below the A-tier line. The most direct lever is controversial-ingredient penalty.
Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Named fresh meat paired with same-species meal, a strong extrusion architecture.
Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..
- Lowest crude fiber in ACANA's lineup (4.5% DMB)
- Top 1% for protein quality in grain-free dry kibbles (27/27)
- Lowest carb quality in ACANA's lineup (8/16)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
Similar dog foods worth considering
Three lenses on products with formulation profiles similar to this one.
ACANA Free-Run Poultry Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food, 22.5-lb bag
Scores 12 points higher with a similar formulation profile.
ACANA Classics Chicken & Barley Dry Dog Food, 22.5-lb bag
$2.89/lb vs your seed's $5.23/lb (45% less) at a comparable score.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalchicken
Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2protein animalchicken meal
Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken. See why →
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3protein animalherring meal
Concentrated herring with the water removed. Carries protein and omega-3s in one ingredient.
Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 4legumechickpeas
Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 4. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 5legumepeas
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 →
Position 5. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 6protein animalchicken liver
Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.
Position 6. Functional organ inclusion. Adds amino acids and micronutrients even at smaller weight.
- 7legumered lentils
Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →
Position 7. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 8fatchicken fat
Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. See why →
Position 8: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 9dried chicken
Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.
Position 9: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 10protein animalturkey
Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.
Position 10: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 11eggs
Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.
Position 11: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.
- 12othernatural flavor
Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.
- 13ground whole flaxseed
- 14legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 14. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 15pea starch
Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.
Position 15. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 16fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
- 17protein animalchicken heart
Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.
- 18mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 19vitaminvitamin e supplement
Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.
- 20supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 21mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
- 22preservative naturalmixed tocopherols
Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative. See why →
- 23vitaminvitamin a supplement
Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.
- 24vitaminvitamin d3 supplement
The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.
- 25fiberdried chicory root
Natural prebiotic. Feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same compound (inulin) used in human gut-health products.
Showing first 25 of 39. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
24 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.
ACANA BUTCHER'S FAVORITES™ FREE-RUN POULTRY & LIVER RECIPE DOG FOOD is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for adult maintenance