Wild Atlantic Highest Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 25-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
ACANA Wild Atlantic Highest Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a dry food featuring mackerel as its primary protein, suitable for all life stages.
This formula stands out with quality fat sources, including marine oils that provide EPA and DHA. It also includes diverse, highly bioavailable protein from named fish and has AAFCO feeding trial substantiation, which is a strong indicator of nutritional adequacy.
One thing to watch is the legume stacking, with red lentils and pinto beans in the top 15 ingredients. This is a pattern the FDA has looked into, though the formula is mitigated by taurine or organ meat.
Good fit for dogs needing a high-protein, fish-based diet for all life stages. Less ideal if you prefer foods without legume stacking.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
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. Good fit for active large sporting breeds, including the Labrador Retriever, navigating weight management. At 392 kcal/cup this formula runs on the moderate side, with crude fiber at 6% (above the catalog median, supports satiety). According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention's 2023 survey, 59% of dogs in the United States were classified as overweight or obese by their veterinary healthcare professional, representing an estimated 55 million dogs (APOP, 2023) .
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
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 3 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- Brooks et al., 2014diagnostic · protocol · satiety· cited in 5 claims
- APOP, 2023prevalence
- Raffan et al., 2016genetics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 61/100, this formula lands in solid B territory. The lift comes from fat quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). 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.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for not stated.
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
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 carb quality in ACANA's lineup (8/16)
- Top 10% for DMB protein in dry kibbles (37.5%)
- Bottom 10% for protein quality in ACANA's lineup (11.1/27)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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$3.16/lb vs your seed's $4.36/lb (28% 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 animalmackerel
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2herring
Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.
Position 2: co-primary protein. Two named animal proteins in the top 2 is a strong protein build.
- 3redfish
- 4silver hake
- 5mackerel meal
Position 5: significant protein contributor. Adds amino-acid diversity to the top of the deck.
- 6protein animalherring meal
Concentrated herring with the water removed. Carries protein and omega-3s in one ingredient.
Position 6: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 7fatsunflower oil
Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.
Position 7: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 8legumered lentils
Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →
Position 8. Moderate inclusion. Contributes carbohydrate and some plant protein.
- 9pollock meal
Position 9: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 10protein animalwhitefish meal
Whitefish cooked into a dry concentrate. Strong protein source, common in premium formulas.
Position 10: supporting protein. Modest contribution to total protein weight.
- 11safflower oil
Position 11: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 12legumepinto beans
Position 12. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 13legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 13. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 14legumechickpeas
Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 14. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 15lentil fiber
Position 15. Trace inclusion. Below the level associated with the FDA's DCM-pattern concerns.
- 16pea starch
Refined starch from peas, mostly carbs after the protein is removed. Counts toward the legume stack the FDA examined.
- 17flounder
- 18natural fish flavor
- 19legumegreen peas
Same as peas. Useful in small amounts. The concern is when pulses dominate the top of the ingredient list. See why →
- 20fatfish oil
Concentrated omega-3s. The reason 'EPA' and 'DHA' get to show up on the bag.
- 21legumepeas
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 →
- 22collard greens
- 23preservative naturalmixed tocopherols
Natural vitamin E used to keep fats from going rancid. The good kind of preservative. See why →
- 24supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 25freeze-dried cod liver
Showing first 25 of 49. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
13 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.