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ACANA Red Meat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 13-lb bag
ACANA

Red Meat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 13-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $4.15/lb

Graded by The Sniff System

In plain English

ACANA Red Meat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a dry formula featuring beef and pork as its main protein sources.

This food has a strong protein profile, with beef as the primary ingredient, which means good biological value for your dog. It also includes quality fat sources, like named fat and marine oil, providing beneficial EPA and DHA. Plus, it has AAFCO feeding trial substantiation, which is a good sign of nutritional adequacy.

You'll notice high legume stacking in this formula, with several pulse-family ingredients in the top 15. This is a pattern the FDA has noted, though it's partially mitigated here by taurine supplementation or organ meat.

Good fit for dogs needing a high-protein diet with quality fats. Less ideal if you prefer to avoid high legume content.

Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.

Who this is for

Good fit for adult Labrador Retrievers and similar active sporting breeds navigating weight management. At 388 kcal/cup this formula runs on the moderate side, with crude fiber at 6% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). The landmark 14-year Purina Lifespan Study on 48 Labrador Retrievers demonstrated that dogs fed 25% fewer calories lived a median of 1.8 years longer and delayed the onset of chronic diseases. The 2014 AAHA Weight Management Guidelines define overweight as a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 6-7 on a 9-point scale. A score of 8 or 9 indicates obesity, representing 20-30% and >30% above ideal body weight, respectively  (Brooks et al., 2014) .

Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with weight management ? 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

Methodology

The Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.

Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.

Why this score

Sniff scored this formula 74/100, landing in B-tier territory. The biggest contributor was protein quality (+25.5 points): Strong protein profile with beef as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value. The biggest detractor was controversial-ingredient penalty (-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. The gap to A-tier is small (1.0 points). Trimming controversial-ingredient penalty would likely close it.

What lifted the score

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

PQI

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

FQI

AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for not stated.

ACF
What pulled it down

Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..

CIP
What sets this apart
  • Lowest carb quality in ACANA's lineup (8/16)
  • Top 5% for protein quality in grain-free dry kibbles (25.7/27)
  • Bottom 10% for fat quality in ACANA's lineup (12/16)

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.

Better match
Higher score, similar formulation
ACANA Free-Run Poultry Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food, 32-lb bag
ACANA

ACANA Free-Run Poultry Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food, 32-lb bag

83

Scores 9 points higher with a similar formulation profile.

Best value
Lower price, comparable score
ACANA Classics Beef & Barley Dry Dog Food, 22.5-lb bag
ACANA

ACANA Classics Beef & Barley Dry Dog Food, 22.5-lb bag

72

$2.89/lb vs your seed's $4.15/lb (30% less) at a comparable score.

Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.

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.

50 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

    Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.

  2. 2
    pork

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

    Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.

  3. 3
    beef meal

    Beef cooked down to a dry concentrate. More protein per pound than fresh beef. See why →

    Position 3: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.

  4. 4
    red lentils

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

    Position 4. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.

  5. 5
    pinto beans

    Position 5. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.

  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 →

    Position 6. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.

  7. 7
    pork meal

    Pork cooked into a dry concentrate. Per pound, more protein than fresh pork.

    Position 7: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.

  8. 8
    beef fat

    Real animal fat, a clean energy source. Stable on the shelf without synthetic preservatives.

    Position 8: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.

  9. 9
    lentils

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

    Position 9. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.

  10. 10
    chickpeas

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

    Position 10. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.

  11. 11
    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 →

    Position 11. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.

  12. 12
    lamb

    Real meat. Often used for dogs with chicken or beef sensitivities. Slightly higher fat content than chicken.

    Position 12: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.

  13. 13
    fish oil

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

    Position 13. Trace marine oil. Contributes some omega-3 but well below the level that drives EPA/DHA totals.

  14. 14
    lentil fiber

    Position 14. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.

  15. 15
    natural pork flavor

    Position 15: trace protein. Likely there for amino-acid diversity or label appeal more than nutritional weight.

  16. 16
    pea starch

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

  17. 17
    beef tripe

    Stomach lining. Strong-smelling but nutrient-dense, with natural digestive enzymes.

  18. 18
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  19. 19
    beef kidney

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

  20. 20
    pork liver

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

  21. 21
    pork kidney
  22. 22
    salt

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

  23. 23
    vitamin e supplement

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

  24. 24
    dried kelp

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

  25. 25
    pumpkin

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

Showing first 25 of 50. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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