Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe Review
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Review of Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe
According to our data, this Acana recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe, we'll examine all 44 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.
Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.
Red lentils are a nutrient-dense legume providing a rich source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals, promoting healthy digestion and overall wellness in dogs.
Whole green peas are a low-calorie, nutrient-rich legume that can provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to support your dog's digestive health. They are also a natural source of plant-based protein, promoting lean muscle development and maintenance.
Chicken liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides your dog with protein, fat, and vitamin A. It's also a great source of iron, copper, niacin, zinc, and phosphorus.
Chicken Heart is rich in taurine and other essential nutrients that support your dog's heart health.
Chicken kidney is a nutrient-dense organ meat that provides a range of essential nutrients for your dog, including iron, vitamins A and B, and trace minerals.
Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.
Egg is a highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle growth, coat health, and overall wellness.
Whole flounder is a nutrient-rich fish that provides high-quality protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, supporting overall health and well-being.
Herring meal is a high-quality, concentrated source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids derived from herring fish. The omega-3 fatty acids found in herring meal can support your dog's skin and coat health, reduce inflammation, and promote cognitive function. As a protein source, herring meal helps build and maintain strong muscles and supports overall growth and development.
Herring oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy skin and coat, support brain function, and contribute to overall heart health in your dog.
Sun-cured alfalfa is a fiber-rich ingredient that can support digestive health in dogs, and it also provides important vitamins and minerals.
Green lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber, supporting digestion and providing essential amino acids.
Field bean is a good source of fiber and protein, promoting digestive health and muscle growth.
Whole yellow pea is a nutritious, low-glycemic carbohydrate source that is both grain-free and gluten-free. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to support healthy digestion and overall well-being.
Pea fiber is a natural source of dietary fiber for dogs that helps support digestive health and overall well-being. It also aids in weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness, making it a valuable addition to dog food formulas.
Chicken cartilage is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are beneficial for joint health.
Dried brown kelp is a natural source of iodine, which is essential for maintaining proper thyroid function in dogs. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that contribute to overall health and well-being.
Whole pumpkin is a healthy, low-calorie ingredient that is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can help support healthy digestion, maintain a healthy weight, and contribute to overall well-being in your dog.
Whole butternut squash is a nutritious and easily digestible vegetable that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber for your dog's diet. It can help support a healthy digestive system and promote overall well-being.
Whole parsnip is a nutritious root vegetable that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and potassium, to support your dog's overall health.
Kale is a nutrient-rich leafy green packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support a strong immune system, healthy skin, and coat in dogs.
Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable that offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog's overall health and wellbeing.
Mustard greens are a nutrient-rich vegetable that provides dogs with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants to support overall health and well-being.
Turnip greens are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber for your dog. They are high in vitamins A, C, and K, and provide important minerals such as calcium and potassium. These nutrients support your dog's immune system, bone health, and overall well-being.
Whole carrot is an excellent source of dietary fiber and antioxidants, providing essential vitamins like beta carotene and vitamin A that are vital for maintaining your dog's eye health.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Pear is a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients that can support your dog's digestive and immune health.
Freeze dried chicken liver is a highly nutritious ingredient that provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein for your dog. It is an excellent addition to dog food, as it supports overall health and well-being, and contributes to a shiny coat and strong immune system.
Freeze dried turkey liver is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential vitamins, minerals, and protein for your dog. It supports healthy muscle growth, immune system function, and overall well-being.
Whole cranberry is packed with antioxidants and is known for its benefits in urinary health. It can help in maintaining a balanced urinary pH in dogs.
Whole blueberry is a natural source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, contributing to your dog's immune system and overall health.
Chicory Root is a prebiotic that supports healthy digestion in dogs by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant spice that can help support your dog's joint health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Milk thistle is an herbal ingredient known for its liver-supporting properties, helping to detoxify and protect your dog's liver while promoting overall liver health and function.
Burdock root is a natural ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.
Though not a common dog food ingredient, lavender is known for its calming properties, which can potentially help reduce stress and anxiety in dogs when used in small amounts.
Marshmallow root is a natural ingredient used in dog food for its soothing properties. It is known to help support healthy digestion and can provide relief from gastrointestinal issues such as inflammation or irritation. In addition, marshmallow root may help maintain healthy skin and coat by providing essential nutrients and hydration.
Rose hip is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin C, and can support joint health in dogs.
Tocopherol rich extract of natural origin is a natural source of antioxidants, which help to protect your dog's cells from damage and support a strong immune system.
Zinc chelate of amino acids hydrate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, metabolism, and skin and coat health.
Enterococcus faecium is a probiotic that helps promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria, supporting your dog's digestive health and immune system.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis of Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe indicates a minimum crude protein content of 33.00%. This high level of protein is primarily contributed by the first few ingredients listed, which are animal-based proteins: fresh chicken, chicken meal, chicken giblets (liver, heart), turkey meal, eggs, raw flounder, and herring meal. These ingredients are rich in protein, which is essential for the growth and development of puppies.
The crude fat minimum of 20.00% can be attributed to ingredients such as chicken fat, fish oil, and the various meats included in the recipe. Chicken fat is a high-quality source of essential fatty acids, while fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for a puppy's skin, coat, and overall health.
Crude fiber is listed at a maximum of 5.00%. This fiber likely comes from the inclusion of plant-based ingredients such as whole lentils, peas, pea fiber, and vegetables like pumpkin, butternut squash, carrots, and chicory root. Fiber is important for digestive health, and while it is present in moderate amounts to aid in digestion, it is kept at a controlled level to ensure the food is still highly digestible for puppies.
The caloric content is 3660.00 calories per kilogram, which is a measure of the energy the food provides. The high calorie content is a result of the combined energy provided by proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the recipe. The fats, especially, contribute significantly to the calorie content, as they are more energy-dense than proteins or carbohydrates.
Overall, the ingredients listed for Acana Heritage (Canadian) Puppy Recipe are chosen to provide a balanced diet for growing puppies, with a focus on high-quality animal proteins, essential fats, and digestible carbohydrates, along with a variety of fruits and vegetables to supply necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
