If your dog has “itchy skin” or similar symptoms from their current dog food, Taste of the Wild PREY as a limited and novel ingredient kibble will very likely help.

It will also help a great deal more than fancy shampoos, medications, and the expensive supplements many people use when their dog has these issues, because it addresses the root cause – which is the dog’s previous food being made from problematic ingredients.

Let’s take a look at why Taste of the Wild PREY as a limited ingredient dog food is worth trying firat to see if it relieves symptoms such as itchy skin, itchy ears, yeast, belly rash, diarrhea, smelly farts, lethargy, and all the other conditions caused by poor quality dog foods.

Even if your dog is otherwise healthy they may still benefit from this variation of the well respected original Taste of the Wild dog food.

Taste of the Wild PREY review

What the marketing says

The front of the bag is refreshingly simple, with PREY in big letters beneath the brand name Taste of the Wild. We find the formula name, which for this review we’ll focus on the Turkey Formula for Dogs, and at the bottom of the bag “A Limited Ingredient Diet”. With an emphasis on dogs which suffer food sensitivities, a limited ingredient diet can really help get to the bottom of some of the many symptoms which affect far too many dogs fed one of the many terrible dog foods sold across America.

The turkey formula for dogs is advertised as having four key ingredients: Turkey, Lentils, Tomato Pomace, and Sunflower Oil. Given many food sensitivities stem from cereal grains and by-products (wheat, seriously, is #1), or specific meat proteins (chicken, lamb, beef), we’re already on the right track as Taste of the Wild PREY doesn’t have any of these ingredients.

Taste of the Wild PREY is marketed as non-GMO, grain free, with no artificial colours, flavourings, or preservatives. Anything artificial can trigger sensitivities, so it’s really good to see these aren’t included.

What the ingredients really say

Of the four main ingredients we can expect the first two to be the most significant – turkey and lentils. Both decent inclusions in terms of dog food, and given the composition of 30% protein and 15% fat we can assume there’s a decent amount of turkey in the food. That’s great to see, and having such a decent protein/fat content means low carbohydrates/sugars which are often harder to digest and not good for canine health.

Lentils, in moderation, are a great source of nutrients (B vitamins, iron, zinc, and phosphorous) in a dog food. Being anti-allergenic, high in fibre, and low in starch means they’re not only a good inclusion for dogs with food sensitivities but also diabetic dogs. Most of the carbohydrates, as well as some of the protein, will come from lentils.

Tomato pomace will be included as a further source of soluble fibre as well as antioxidants. It’s essentially a by-product from the many tomato-based products we buy in the supermarkets, so the skin, pulp, and crushed seeds of tomatoes. It’s a decent inclusion.

Sunflower oil will round off the main ingredients with a source of omega fatty acids, as well as promoting energy and a healthy immune system. Salmon oil is also worth mentioning as another excellent oil included in Taste of the Wild PREY.

There’s a nice range of vitamins and minerals which have been individually included, plus probiotics to improve gut health.

Taste of the Wild PREY is definitely decent, and if you’re struggling to find out why your dog is itchy or suffering any of the symptoms around allergies, then this is well worth trying for a few weeks to see if those symptoms clear up. Even if your dog isn’t suffering from food sensitivities then this is still a great food and well worth feeding.

Where to buy?

Taste of the Wild PREY is available to buy from VeryPet.

Taste of the Wild PREY dog food products

There are three formulas in the Taste of the Wild PREY dog food range. This review is applicable to all formulas in the range:

• Taste of the Wild PREY Turkey Formula
• Taste of the Wild PREY Angus Beef Formula
• Taste of the Wild PREY Trout Formula

Ingredients

Ingredients of Taste of the Wild PREY dry dog food (turkey formula):

Turkey, lentils, tomato pomace, sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, salmon oil (source of DHA), salt, DL-Methionine, choline chloride, taurine, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.

Contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms.

Guaranteed analysis of Taste of the Wild PREY (Turkey formula for dogs)

Guaranteed analysis of Taste of the Wild PREY dry dog food (turkey formula):

Taste of the Wild PREY dog food recalls

There are no known recalls of Taste of the Wild PREY dog food at the current time.

Previous recalls:

• None.

Nutrition is absolutely vital for the health and wellbeing of your dog and cat, and supplements like the Frontier Pets Booster range can work wonders for their health for many reasons which I’ll discuss in this review.

If you want a plant to grow strong, you feed it the right nutrients at the roots. It’s the same for our pets, and little adjustments in diet can have an amazing effect on their long term health.

Frontier Pets are clearly a reputable and trustworthy American pet food company (I’ve visited the factory personally to see for myself), so it’s great to see high quality supplements alongside the dog food and cat food range.

The Frontier Pets Booster Range

In this review we’ll take a look at the three very different supplements and how they will benefit your dog or cat. You can then make an educated decision on which are right for you:

Super Greens Booster

We sometimes underestimate the power of veggies, but they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help our pets fight inflammation and build long term health including our carnivorous cats.

Kibble diets are almost always substandard in this area, and die hard raw feeders tend to neglect healthy veggies completely (which can and does cause problems).

Free-Range Beef Organs Booster

We forget how rich organs are in vital nutrients, especially in our era of processed food.

Did you know the nutrients our dogs need mostly come from organ meats?

They’re literal powerhouses, and they’re the best source of nutrients for energy, muscle health, and a healthy heart. Also, needless to say, very lacking in processed kibble.

Green Tripe Booster

Stinky in fresh form but amazingly nutritious!

Green tripe is packed with natural enzymes and good bacteria which will help your dog digest their food better, absorb nutrients better, and maintain a strong immune system.

In short, green tripe will help your dog benefit more from all the food you give them, even if it’s kibble! Level, up!

Hopefully the above quick summaries will give you a good idea which booster will benefit your dog the most, but let’s take a more in depth look at each one:

Super Greens Booster

Super Greens Booster

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This booster will be beneficial if you feed your dog a processed dog food OR a raw diet without vegetables, and your carnivore cat can also benefit from the nutrients and dietary fibre.

The Super Greens Booster is made from nutrient-packed leafy greens like kale, silver beet, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, and Chinese broccoli, along with zucchini, green algae, and green tea extract.

These ingredients provide antioxidants such as chlorophyll and beta-carotene, which help fight inflammation and support your dog or cat’s immune system.

The greens also supply essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre (discussed next) to promote healthy digestion and overall vitality.

Did you know many raw fed pets suffer from lack of dietary fibre?

In the wild, a dog or cat would consumer fibre from fur, feathers, and hide, which many raw feeders completely neglect. This can cause poor gut health, constipation, loose stools, anal gland issues, and nutrient deficiencies. These can become exponential as our pets reach senior years, and costly in unnecessary veterinary bills for us.

The veggies in this supplement are an excellent source of dietary fibre, so an excellent way to tick this box whatever type of diet you feed!

Don’t underestimate the power of veggies!

Free-Range Organs Booster

Organs Booster

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This booster will be beneficial if you feed your dog or cat any type of commercial pet food.

Made primarily from free-range beef organs – liver, lung, kidney, heart, and spleen – this booster is an absolute powerhouse of natural vitamins and minerals which will truly benefit your pet.

Organ meats are much richer in nutrients than muscle meats, with this blend being rich in iron, Vitamin B12, CoQ10, and more.

The benefits to your dog are vast, including a boost in energy, healthy blood formation, and muscle development.

Beetroot is a nice extra inclusion to provide your dog with extra antioxidants and support circulation.

The Organs Booster should definitely help fill the nutritional gaps which are missing in most types of dog food, including raw diets, and usually very lacking in commercial kibble and wet canned diets.

In fact, when it comes to kibble these essential nutrients are often dusted on as a mere afterthought in the form of a premix of dubious quality bought from overseas.

You should view organs as an absolute essential for the health of our pets. So if you’re not feeding your dog or cat organs, you definitely should be!

Green Tripe Booster

Green Tripe Booster

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This booster will be beneficial whatever type of diet you feed your cat or dog!

Green tripe is a fantastic source of natural digestive enzymes as well as beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus.

In simpler terms, this means it’s excellent for gut health and immunity, and gut health is vital.

We think of tripe as yucky, but it’s super healthy for our dogs. In America it’s also hard to get hold of, and actually illegal in it’s natural unwashed and unprocessed form.

When people post glorious bowls of raw food or “fresh food” on social media, tell me if you ever see green tripe in the bowl! Practically never!

Alongside 95% of super healthy green tripe (from free-range beef by the way), this booster comes with even more benefits in the form of chia seeds and probiotics. Chia is incredibly healthy and a go-to for superfood junkies for so many reasons, and probiotics will further boost your dog’s gut health and digestion.

Whatever type of food you feed your dog or cat, adding a little bit of the Green Tripe Booster to their diet is definitely a win.

A quick summary

Understandably supplements can seem expensive, for us and even more so for our pets, but they also offer convenience and excellent health benefits.

Using supplements such as the Frontier Pets Booster range as a topper – i.e. adding a little bit to their regular food daily – can really offer them an excellent nutritional boost.

I would argue, when it comes to many dry dog and cat foods touting “complete and balanced” or other marketing drivel, that even a sprinkle of these supplements would offer your pet far more in terms of health and nutrition than the kibble itself.

Doesn’t that make supplements such as this worth considering?

When I first reviewed Eureka dog food back in 2022 I was really excited about the brand – An American alternative to world renowned air-dried dog food ZIWI Peak from New Zealand.

Skip to 2026 and I’ve had so much incredible feedback from American dog owners who’ve switched to Eureka from other dog foods. It’s clear this dried-raw food is worth the money, and does wonders for the health of our dogs!

We love to support American businesses, and Eureka dog food is both American Made AND American Owned.

As a dog food, it’s fantastic.

In fact, I wish all American dog foods were as good as this as it would mean far less reliance on American vets.

Far too many of our dogs fall foul of all manner of diet-related illnesses like heart disease, renal disease, UTIs, kidney stones, and more.

Most of the time we fail to realise the brand of kibble we’re feeding could well be the underlying cause of those illnesses. Isn’t that something worth considering?

There are many reasons I think Eureka is a far better choice for your dog, and I’ll cover them in depth in this review.

Special offer!

Feel free to browse the Eureka website here, but as a Pet Food Judge reader I have arranged a special deal!

$20 Off Eureka Air-Dried

Offer applies to subscriptions.

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Eureka dog food review

What the marketing says

I like to keep this section short in reviews, but could write a book with all the positive statements for this “100% carbon-neutral” dog food made with “sustainably caught wild American meat & organs” from “American businesses and farmers“.

Eureka dog food is made using a solar powered drying process, so it’s even good for the environment!

It speaks for itself.

Eureka is an air-dried dog food, which is a far better, more digestible, more nutritious option than kibble. I’m a big advocate for air dried dog foods because I’ve seen how hard kibble is for a dog to digest.

Air-dried dog food is similar to jerky, and hasn’t been subject to the intense heating processes of kibble. It’s more natural, and more enjoyable for our dogs.

A nice point to make is Eureka use a “kill step” in the air-drying process which “eliminates pathogens”.

What that means is we can feed this essentially “dried raw” dog food without any concerns about food safety and handling.

That’s great, especially if we have kids around or are uneasy about preparing raw for our dogs.

The quality of Eureka makes it more than suitable for all life stages of dog, including puppies, and your senior dog as well. By the looks of it, it’s way above the bar.

What the ingredients really say

At the time of writing there are three recipes available – Wild Boar & Chicken, Wild Kangaroo & Lamb, and Wild Venison & Lamb.

All are good, but we’ll focus on Wild Boar & Chicken for this review. Remember variety is always good, so you could rotate between all three.

All Eureka dog foods start with 90% meat, bone, and organs, which is fantastic for your meat-loving dog. Far better than corn don’t you think?

We find most of the recipe is what we should expect in a food for dogs, which is a combination of meat, liver, heart, lung, kidney, and also finely ground bone and cartilage.

If we want our dogs in supreme health these are exactly the foodstuffs we should be feeding them.

In short, this is what our dogs are biologically designed to eat.

The remaining ingredients are equally fantastic, and serve to make Eureka so much better than pretty much every other dog food in America.

There are literally no bad ingredients.

Let’s take a quick look, but you’ll already know the benefits of these ingredients without much explanation.

Salmon oil is one of the best oils to use in a dog’s diet, being rich in omega fatty acids for heart health, skin, coat, joint support, brain support, and a healthy immune system.

Green lipped mussels is another fantastic inclusion usually only found in top end New Zealand dog foods (like ZIWI Peak). These are also good for many of the same reasons as salmon oil.

Free range eggs as a complete amino acid profile with no end of benefits for your dog.

Turmeric, flax, chia seed, blueberries, kelp, turmeric…

It’s rounded off with well-chosen ingredients to aid digestion, such as lecithin, apple fibre, and postbiotics. It’s these final touches which really set a dog food apart from others.

Eureka dog food is simply excellent, and you should definitely give it a go.

I’ve even checked numerous consumer reviews, which again, are excellent.

Summary – should I feed my dog Eureka?

If you’re currently feeding a dry food, then I’m confident Eureka will offer your dog a better diet.

If you’ve been thinking of feeding raw but have concerns about all the complexities in getting it right (such as calcium to phosphorous ratios and all manner of percentage calculations), or you simply don’t have the time or inclination to chop up organs, then Eureka is a great alternative.

I realise this review is positively glowing, but if you’ve read how negative I am about most dog foods in America, then you’ll understand why I really think Eureka is a great option for your dog.

What about the Eureka dog treats?

The Eureka range of dog treats are as good as the dog food itself, so well worth mentioning.

Generally air or freeze-dried dog treats are expensive, but if you want to boost your dog’s nutrition then they’re still a good choice – just don’t overfeed them.

If you’re feeding your dog a food without liver, then what better way to offer them this wonderfully nutritious organ than with an air-dried treat? Far less yucky than fresh liver!

If you read the best-rated dog treats page you’ll see I rate the Eureka treats very highly. The reason for this is because they’re (1) American, (2) very high quality, and (3) very nutritious.

What about the Eureka supplements?

2023 saw the introduction of a range of supplements. All are priced competitively compared to other brands of supplements.

Below are descriptions of the three Eureka supplements, and how they may benefit your dog:

Gut Helper

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is essential for your dog to get the most from whatever food they eat. A healthy gut equals a healthy dog, it’s that simple.

The Gut Helper supplement from Eureka is a combination of probiotics and prebiotics which work together to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in your dog’s gut.

Whether your dog seems in optimum health, or if they have a history of digestive issues, adding such a supplement to their diet can only be beneficial. It will likely boost their health, energy levels, and immune system.

Joint & Mobility Bone Broth

Many dogs suffer poor joint health and osteoarthritis in their elder years, especially if they started life on a poor quality dog food – even before you adopted them as a puppy.

The Eureka supplement for joints is a combination of probiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin, and rose hip to help alleviate pain in your dog’s joints or prevent arthritis occurring in later years.

You simply use the supplement as a meal topper, and this can only be beneficial for the health of your dog.

Skin, Coat & Nails Bone Broth

As a dehydrated bone broth (like the joint supplement above) this will already have benefits to your dog’s health.

The addition of DHA, biotin, and manganese will help your dog maintain a healthy, glossy coat, and strong nails (or claws!)

DHA is an omega-3 which has a range of health benefits, supporting brain development, eyesight, joint health, and immune support as well as skin and coat health.

Biotin (vitamin B7) is something many dogs are deficient in, with the result being dry and itchy skin, dull coat, and brittle nails. Adding biotin as a supplement prevents this, and also helps your dog metabolise fats, proteins, and carbs.

Manganese boosts your dog’s formation of bones and cartilage, which is why it’s included in this beneficial supplement.

Common questions about Eureka dog food

Ingredients

Ingredients of Eureka dog food (at the time of writing):

Wild boar (Meat, liver, Heart, Lung, kidney, finely ground bone), Free Range Chicken (meat, Liver, Heart, Lung, finely ground Bone, Cartilage), Salmon Oil, Apple Fibre, Lecithin, Green Lipped Mussel, Flax Meal, Chia Seed, Free Range Eggs, Broccoli, Vitamin & Minerals, Sea Salt, Blueberry, Kelp,  Citric Acid, Chicory Root (Inulin), Mixed Tocopherols, Turmeric, Postbiotic (blend of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifdbacterium animalis ssp. Lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum)

Guaranteed analysis

Guaranteed analysis of Eureka dog food (at the time of writing):

* Please note I will receive a commission if this coupon code is used (which helps me keep Pet Food Judge up and running, so thank you).

If you shop at Petstock or Petbarn you may have seen the Holistic Select brand of dog food, available as both grain or grain free formulas.

As your dog is primarily carnivore, what you really want to know is how appropriate the dog food is based on meat and fish ingredients rather than grain or grain free substitutes.

When it comes to dog food formulas, Holistic Select is quite good, and slightly more affordable than higher rated dog foods.

Let’s take a look…

What the marketing says

The marketing of Holistic Select sounds clever. A bit like those expensive veterinary endorsed brands by Mars and Colgate-Palmolive to some extent.

The brand name has “Health” in the title which we assume means the food is healthy for our dogs, but it’s always a question of “how healthy?”

The formula touts a “Digestive Health Support System” which also sounds appealing, being a combination of fibre, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.

Fair enough, many cheaper dog biscuits contain no such things, so Holistic Select is already a little better in that respect.

But, like most dog foods, the ingredients tell the real story.

Let’s take a look.

What the ingredients really say

For the purpose of the review I’ve chosen the Grain Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal formula.

Salmon as the first ingredient sounds good, but we need to consider the main ingredients as a whole. We also have potatoes and peas as the second and third ingredients, which we can expect to be a similar amount to the salmon, and then Menhaden fish meal and another potato ingredient – dried ground potatoes.

You may wonder why there are two inclusions of potato, but the answer to this is a common marketing technique called ingredient splitting – used on many dog foods, and many foods we buy for ourselves as well.

Ingredient splitting is a way for an ingredient to appear much less prominent in a food than it actually is.

Combine the two potato ingredients and it would need to be listed as a requirement as the first ingredient, but I expect a food for your meat-loving dog won’t sound as appealing to you as the consumer if potato was listed first. Would it?

Truth is, Holistic Select Grain Free (and the Grain formulas) are less meat or fish than you may think, and more grains or plant-matter.

I realise writing this review honestly makes Holistic Select sound like a bad dog food, but it’s actually better than many.

Price is a factor for many, and although Holistic Select still sits on the higher side of the price scale, it’s still a lot more affordable than brands rated more highly on this website.

None of the ingredients are bad per se, and the formula has a good balance. It just doesn’t contain as much animal content as I would like in a food for an animal which thrives on animal ingredients.

The simple solution – If you chose to feed Holistic Select to your dog (and you can do a lot worse!), mix it in with some other types of dog food as well. Ones which are more meaty, or throw your dog the odd raw meaty bone, scraps of healthy meat, or some super nutritious organs as well.

If you have a bit more money at hand, Earthborn is the more premium offering from the same manufacturer. Or, if money’s tight, the grain-based recipes of Holistic Select are a little cheaper, and you can use the above method of supplemental feeding to boost your dog’s meat intake.

Where to buy?

Holistic Select grain and grain free formulas are available at Petstock, Petbarn, City Farmers, and some online retailers.

Ingredients

Ingredients of Holistic Select dog food (Grain Free Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal):

Salmon, Potatoes, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Dried Ground Potatoes, Canola Oil, Anchovy Meal, Sardine Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Pumpkin, Natural Flavor, Cranberries, Apples, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salt, Papayas, Taurine, Choline Chloride, Blueberries, Pomegranates, Vitamin E Supplement, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ground Cinnamon, Ground Fennel, Ground Peppermint, Sodium Selenite, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Dried Lactobacillus delbrueckii Fermentation Product, Dried Streptococcus thermophilus Fermentation Product, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma reesei Fermentation Product, Dried Rhizopus oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus casei Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

If you shop at CostCo, then you may be surprised to know the Nature’s Domain “home brand” is actually made by Diamond Pet Foods who make Taste of the Wild.

Taste of the Wild is the more premium offering, but it has to be said Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain is a very good option for your dog which is surprisingly affordable given the ingredients.

Related: Best Budget Dog Foods

Kirkland Nature’s Domain review

Diamond Pet Foods who make Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain are a big company known for producing decent dog foods (Taste of the Wild has a great reputation worldwide). It’s nice to see the brand available in America at CostCo outlets.

If your current dog food has a first ingredient which isn’t meat then throw it in the bin. The Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain recipe has salmon as the first ingredient, which is a much better option for your dog.

The second ingredient is also salmon!

It’s a different form of salmon, in this case dried salmon meal, but that tells us this dog food really does have a focus on ingredients which will provide your dog with what they really need – protein from an animal source.

However, the next three ingredients will likely outweigh the salmon, and they’re sweet potato, potato, and peas.

These aren’t bad ingredients, and given the price of Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain they are to be expected. It’s a balance of ingredients vs. cost, and it has to be said these are better ingredients for your dog than what we find in most dog foods for a similar price.

It’s also nice to have a mixture, and sweet potato is a good inclusion being low GI, full of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. I consider it one of the best “carbohydrate” ingredients used in a dog food. Potato not quite so much, but peas will add protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

The minor inclusions of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are similar to what you would find in Taste of the Wild, and really round of the dog food.

All in all, Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain comes across as a decent, well-balanced dog food, especially considering how affordable it is.

Recommended.

Further Ingredients Analysis

In regard to some of the comments on this page I’ve decided to give a breakdown of the vitamins and minerals included in Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain to clarify the reason they’re included:

• Flaxseed – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Salmon Oil – Excellent source of DHA & EPA for brain function, joint health, and a shiny coat.
• Minerals (Zinc, Copper, Manganese, etc.) – Essential for immune function, metabolism, and strong bones.
• DL-Methionine – An amino acid that supports urinary health and prevents certain bladder stones.
• Vitamins (A, B, C, D, E, etc.) – Critical for vision, immunity, metabolism, and overall well-being.
• Choline Chloride – Supports brain function, liver health, and muscle control.
• Taurine – Vital for heart health, eye function, and overall vitality.
• Blueberries & Raspberries – Packed with antioxidants that fight cell damage and boost immunity.
• Dried Chicory Root – A natural prebiotic that promotes gut health and digestion.
• Yucca Schidigera Extract – Helps reduce stool odour and supports joint health.
• Probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Bacillus subtilis) – Aid digestion, boost gut bacteria, and support immune function.

Ingredients

Ingredients of Nature’s Domain at CostCo (Salmon formula):

Salmon, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Fish Meal, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Flour, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavour, Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Salt, Minerals (Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Ferrous, Potassium, Selenium), DL-Methionine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, B9, B12, C, D, E), Choline Chloride, Taurine, Blueberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium animalis Fermentation Product.

Guaranteed analysis

Guaranteed analysis of Nature’s Domain at CostCo (Salmon formula):

The caveat is Orijen is the better of the two, but when it comes to pet food “better” also means “pricier”.

For our ACANA dog food review we’ll dig in to the Free-Run Poultry Recipe, which is a benchmark for all in the range.

ACANA dog food review

What the marketing says

Champion Petfoods boldly state on their website “World’s Best Petfood”. There isn’t even the word probably (some of you may be familiar with the Carling beer slogan “Probably the best beer in the world).

They claim both Orijen and Acana are made “For Pet Lovers, By Pet Lovers”. This surely makes you feel warm and fuzzy about their products, but as with any dog food they also make it for profit. That’s absolutely fine if quality goes hand in hand, which is thankfully the case.

What the ingredients really say

ACANA Free-Run Chicken is 60% animal ingredients, 40% vegetables/fruits/botanicals/other nutrients, and 0% rubbishy stuff like artificial colourings, flavourings, or preservatives.

Unlike most dog foods made from one meat ingredient and a range of fillers, ACANA dog food is made from a laundry list of meats, veggies, and fruits, each with nutritional merit. This is definitely a good thing.

If we take all the ingredients before fat (17%) we have a range of 4 whole prey ingredients and 3 vegetables. One of the whole prey ingredients is chicken liver which is very rich in nutrients and an excellent (and uncommon) addition to a dry dog food. Bonza!

It doesn’t end with chicken liver either. We also find chicken heart, turkey liver, chicken cartilage, chicken gizzard, and turkey gizzard. These may sound a bit yucky to your ears, but to your dog this sounds delicious. Well, at least it would sound delicious if they knew what you were talking about (say “liver” to your dog – how do they react!?).

The main ingredients of deboned chicken, deboned turkey, and chicken meal are really good to see, and we can tell from the 27% protein there’s a decent amount of meat in the food. The vegetable choices are pretty good too being green peas, red lentils, and pinto beans. It’s nice to see a variety rather than just “peas”.

In fact, there are so many decent ingredients in ACANA dog food it would be a very long review if we covered each one individually. Simply take a look at the ingredients list below and you’ll see what I mean.

The vitamins and minerals are hand-picked to coincide with the range of decent ingredients in the food which is a sign of quality. Most dog foods have little nutrition which they add with a generic “vitamin and mineral” pack.

Oh, and those bizarrely named lactobacillus and bifidobacterium ingredients may sound a little creepy, but they’re highly beneficial probiotics for gut health.

ACANA dog food is very good in it’s own right, and well worth feeding your dog. If you can afford Orijen as the more premium offering then do that, or why not feed both?

Where to buy ACANA dog food dog food

ACANA dog food is available to buy from VeryPet

An excellent insight into ACANA dog food (video)

This short video from Champion Petfoods shows how ACANA dog food compares to a regular mediocre brand:

About Champion Petfoods (video)

Bare with this one as it’s very “retro” being a TV program uploaded to YouTube, but it gives a great deal of insight into Orijen and Acana and how they’re made:

ACANA dog food review summary

If you’re looking to feed a decent brand of dog food then ACANA definitely fits the bill. As with all dog diets we recommend a variety, so there’s no reason why you wouldn’t mix ACANA with other brands of dog food, whether dry, wet, barf, raw, or fresh.

If you’re a feeder of ACANA then be sure to let us know how you’ve got on in the comments below.

Hopefully our ACANA dog food review has helped you! If it has, please tell others about Pet Food Judge!

Ingredients of ACANA dog food

Ingredients of ACANA Free-Run Poultry dog food as of August 2021:

Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken meal, whole green peas, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, chicken liver, chicken fat, catfish meal, chickpeas, whole green lentils, whole yellow peas, lentil fiber, eggs, pollock oil, natural chicken flavor, chicken heart, turkey liver, turkey heart, chicken cartilage, chicken gizzard, turkey gizzard, salt, mixed tocopherols (preservative), dried kelp, whole pumpkin, collard greens, whole carrots, whole apples, zinc proteinate, freeze-dried chicken liver, freeze-dried turkey liver, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, vitamin A acetate, chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rose hips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.

Guaranteed analysis of ACANA dog food

Guaranteed analysis of ACANA Free-Run Poultry dog food as of August 2021:

ACANA dog food recalls

There have been no recalls of ACANA pet food products.

Almost all US and Canadian brands seem to be tarnished in some way or other, and ACANA is no exception. The brand is often mentioned in regard to the FDA “DCM” scare of 2019, which despite being no longer investigated by the FDA still circulates around social media.

In 2011 ACANA was subject to a rather bizarre issue when an FDA test on a single bag of ACANA Grasslands suggested the possibility of salmonella. An alert was put on the product but subsequently dropped, with the test possibly being a false positive.

It’s easy these days to recommend products, and profit from those recommendations. I suppose that’s the nature of the Internet these days, but most of the time this doesn’t really help your cat.

It’s likely putting glitter on a leaky roof and calling it fixed.

Let’s take a look at when and why your cat can really benefit from probiotics, and how you can tackle your cat’s digestive issues properly:

What are probiotics for cats?

Probiotics for your cat are like a team of tiny superheroes working inside the digestive system.

Imagine these microscopic champions as the guardians of your cat’s gut health. They’re the friendly bacteria that form a protective shield against the forces of digestive imbalance.

When you give your cat probiotics you’re essentially sending in reinforcements to maintain a harmonious balance in their tummy, and those reinforcements help fend off the bad guys – the ones that cause digestive issues.

This is why probiotics, or probiotic supplements, show a real improvement if your cat’s showing signs of intestinal distress, discomfort, flatulence, or diarrhea.

Probiotics (and prebiotic) supplements also help your cat digest their food far more efficiently, or digest more nutrients from the food they’re fed than they would’ve done otherwise.

These are the reasons all cats can benefit from probiotics.

When will your veterinarian recommend probiotics for your cat?

You’re probably here reading this guide because (a) you’ve noticed your cat has a gut issue, or (b) your veterinarian has recommended probiotics for one of the following reasons:

• Gastrointestinal Upset
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Dietary Sensitivities or Allergies
• Chronic Constipation
• Colitis
• Stomach Upset when Transitioning Diet
• Stress and Anxiety

What if I told you all the above could also be caused by diet?

What if the reason was as simple as your cat food being made mostly from grains or other starches, when you cat is factually an obligate carnivore who should only have animal-ingredients in their diet?

There are a few other reasons why a vet may recommend probiotics for cats, such as:

• To support the digestive system of your older cat
• After a course of antibiotics, medication, or surgery

Although your vet is right, and a probiotic supplement will very likely help your cat in these circumstances, ask yourself if your vet discussed what you’re feeding your cat.

Most of the time I find a vet will rarely ask what you’ve been feeding your cat. Isn’t that odd, when this would be very useful diagnostic information in diagnosing the root of your cat’s problem?

Most of the time a vet will also recommend an expensive “prescription” brand of cat food, which you’ll find to be also made mostly of grains.

It’s bizarre, isn’t it?

(Well, not really when you know how the pet food industry works…)

Addressing the root of your cat’s digestive problems

If your cat is struggling to digest their food – symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, bloat, and flatulence – and you’re feeding a kibble made of cereal grains, particularly wheat, or other carbohydrates, then that’s very likely the cause.

Your cat’s biology isn’t designed to digest these foods.

Itchy skin, patchy skin, yeasty ears, excessive paw licking – these are all symptoms of the same problem. To get a little scientific, this is about the limited fermentation capacity in your cat’s gut, limited amylase production, and all the other stuff years of research has confirmed about why our cat’s should only eat animal matter.

Or in short, your cat’s digestive system is designed for the rapid digestion of meat, not hard to digest grains.

So why are grains used in almost all cat foods I hear you ask?

Or potatoes, tapioca, bamboo, or whatever else?

Well, because it makes a lot more profit.

Right, it’s time to take a pause from your phone or computer, and go and read the ingredient’s on your cat’s food. Then come back here, and we’ll talk about real solutions (with or without probiotics).

Diet first, probiotics second – Fixing your cat’s issues at the root

Your cat needs a diet rich in meat. Preferably meat, organs, raw meaty bones.

There are various ways you can address this, and each will be a step in the right direction:

• Feed a dry cat food which has a better emphasis on meat, and less emphasis on carbohydrates. All dry cat foods contain carbohydrates, so the best you can do is keep them to a minimum. Grain free is, most of the time, the better option.
• If you’re on a budget, continue feeding a dry cat food but mix it with a decent wet cat food, BARF patty, or fresh meat, organs, and meaty bones like chicken necks or wings (cheap at the supermarket).
• Feed a decent wet or BARF food, with some raw meaty bones to chew on (good for your cat’s teeth and health).
• Embark on a journey into raw feeding. If in doubt about getting the balance of meat + organs + bones right, check out brands such as Frontier Pets or Raw Meow which are dried raw which you add water to.

If you’re stumped with choosing a decent cat food, there’s some recommendations here.

Once you’re happier with your cat’s diet you’re most of the way there, so now it’s time to discuss probiotics for cats.

Probiotic supplements for cats in America

In America probiotics for cats vary greatly in both ingredients and CFU, which is a gauge of the concentration of beneficial bacteria in the supplement.

If you want to understand CFU a little better I will discuss this shortly, but for now let’s take a look at some of the probiotics for cats in America:

Big Dog Probiotic

Most probiotic supplements for cats have a CFU count in the millions, but the Big Dog Probiotic is in the billions – 4 billion CFU per 1g.

Despite the name, the Big Dog Probiotic is also suitable for cats, coming in a powder form you can easily sprinkle on their food.

As far as reputation goes I’ve found Big Dog to be very good. They’re an Aussie company and have been around over 2 decades, mostly known for their excellent (and class-leading) raw BARF foods.

You can read more about Big Dog BARF here.

Recommended.

Oh, and at the time of writing, Big Dog Probiotic is the most competitive on price.

Meals for Mutts Probiotic

Meals for Mutts (or MfM) have been a popular Aussie brand of pet food for many years. At the time of writing they have recently had manufacturing issues with their main line of pet foods, but the probiotic supplement they offer is not affected.

The Meals for Mutts probiotic is labelled Intestinal Health Plus Probiotic, and it’s worth mentioning second in this list as it boasts one of the highest CFUs of any probiotic for pets sold in America – 90 billion CFU per 1g in fact, so much more than Big Dog Probiotic above.

The probiotic features a dog on the label, but is suitable for both cats and dogs and comes as a powder.

Pro Plan FortiFlora Feline

Pro Plan FortiFlora has 100 million CFU per 1g, so not up there with the two recommendations above, but this is the brand most veterinarians would recommend if your cat is showing symptoms of poor digestive health.

What bugs me about FortiFlora, a Nestle brand, is the main ingredient being liver flavour. I have no problems with liver for a cat, but the issue is the word “flavour” – liver flavour is a different ingredient to liver, and may not actually be liver. The question that leaves us is this – what actually is it?

Nevertheless, if you trust the Pro Plan brand or want to go with your vet’s recommendation, then this might be the option for you, and should still benefit your cat.

FortiFlora, like most probiotics for cats, comes as a powder.

PAW Digesticare

The (Blackmores) PAW brand is very common in America so available at many retailers. PAW Digesticare, the probiotic and prebiotic powder supplement has 30 million CFU per 1g.

The ingredients of PAW Digesticare are mostly grains.

Granted they’re fermented, which means they would be more digestible for your cat than regular grains, but it still feels odd to me feeding a carnivorous animal a grain-based supplement. Does it feel odd to you?

Given the lower CFU of both PAW Digesticare and Pro Plan FortiFlora above, you may consider the first two options to be the better bet.

PetzPark Probiotic for Cats

The PetzPark Probiotic states 1.3 billion CFU per scoop, and an average scoop size of 1g. That would put the supplement in a similar ballpark as the Big Dog Probiotic (4 million CFU per 1g), but also at the time of writing slightly cheaper.

The other benefit of the PetzPark probiotic is you can buy a packet specifically for cats, if that matters to you.

The trouble I find with the PetPark probiotic is it’s harder to get hold of.

Natural probiotics for cats

Buying a formulated probiotic for cats (such as the suggestions above) will likely benefit your cat the most. More so if they’re recovering from a gut health issue, anxiety, stress, antibiotics, or surgery.

However, there are great natural probiotics as well.

Here’s a few ideas:

• Fermented foods like plain yoghurt and kefir are good sources of beneficial bacteria, and liked by most cats.
• Bone broth is a wonderful food to give your cat, dog, or yourself. It’s simple to make with a slow cooker and some bones (such as a chicken carcass or even a whole chicken) and a little bit of apple cider vinegar to extract the nutrients from the bones. Bone broth can be a good source of natural probiotics, and will benefit your cat’s health in many ways.
• A raw food diet of meat, organs, and bones has shown to contribute to a healthy gut microbiome.

What does CFU mean with probiotics?

CFU stands for Colony Forming Units.

It’s a unit of measurement used to estimate the number of viable microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, in a probiotic supplement.

In the context of probiotics for pets, including cats and dogs, the CFU count is an indicator of the quantity of live and active microorganisms in the supplement. These microorganisms often include various strains of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium – some pet foods in America contain bacteria such as this.

But what does that mean?

The CFU count is crucial because it reflects the potency and effectiveness of the probiotic.

A higher CFU count generally suggests a more concentrated and potentially more beneficial product. It’s not always the case though, and a higher CFU count doesn’t necessarily mean better results.

To conclude, probiotics for cats are a good idea if your furball is suffering any kind of digestive issue, from diarrhea to constipation, of if they display any other signs of gastrointestinal issue.

Even if your cat is healthy, some probiotics in the diet can help them digest their food better, more efficiently, and be healthier for it.

What brand of probiotics have you used for your cat, and what success have you had?

Animals Like Us is so much better than other brands you’ll find on the supermarket shelves. Credit where credit’s due, as much as I’ve slated Woolworth’s brands in the past I don’t need to with this one.

You may see it as expensive, and I’m sure others will to, especially when you compare the price to other brands on the shelf.

In reality those other brands are cheap for a reason, because they’re made with much cheaper ingredients, which aren’t necessarily healthy for your dog.

There’s two really positive things to say about Animals Like Us dog foods. The first is the use of meat, organs, and fish over grains or starches – that’s definitely better for your dog.

Secondly, although the food is mostly kibble, the freeze dried pieces of meat and organs will be far more digestible to your dog than they would’ve been as part of the kibble itself.

In America at this time we only have the 33% freeze-dried RawBlend33, but hopefully in time we’ll get the SuperBlend50 and Meal Mixers as well. We also get the beef and lamb treats which I’ll cover in this review.

What the marketing says

Animals Like Us comes from New Zealand, which is usually a good sign. Our friends across the water have a reputation for creating great dog foods.

However, it seems the formulas sold in America are different, and not quite as good. We saw this previously with Crave, which wasn’t on par with the formulas other countries were given. It’s as if Woolworths lean on a brand reputation from overseas, yet offer us a slightly inferior product.

We find the RawBlend33 formula is 33% freeze-dried raw, from meat and organs, and the remaining 67% a more regular kibble made from vegetables, chicken meal, and, well, we’ll get to that. Take that as a good thing, as there are definite benefits over a regular kibble.

The packet states grass-fed ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, but doesn’t say all meat ingredients are. Given the formulas contain chicken meal, a rendered meat, this may not be as ethical an ingredient, but at least it’s meat and not grains.

Nevertheless, the marketing has some really positive signs that this food is better than many, so let’s take a look at the ingredients of the Aussie formulas.

Animals Like Us RawBlend33

Price will be a contentious issue with Animals Like Us, especially if you compare it to other kibbles on the shelves of Woolworths.

But the truth is those other kibbles will be made mostly from grains or other high-carbohydrate ingredients which probably aren’t ideal for your dog. That’s why they’re cheap, and Animals Like Us isn’t.

If you’re put off by the price, then there’s no reason you can’t consider this as part of your dog’s diet, adding variety, nutrition, and better digestibility of the freeze-dried meat and organs.

What the ingredients really say

We’ll focus on the Grass-Fed Beef formula for the sake of this review, but note the Grass-Fed Lamb & Venison and King Salmon & Ocean Fish formulas aren’t as different as you may think.

On closer inspection all formulas are made with chicken meal, which rules out anyone who’s dogs have a chicken allergy. In fact regardless of the formula name, they all seem to be a combination of chicken, beef, lamb, and other meats.

I see no issues with a combination of meats, and most dogs will be fine with this. But there’s another big observation I can share with you:

There are 6 ingredients listed before beef tallow as the fat content (12%). Three are animal ingredients, which is great, but the other three aren’t – peas, potatoes, and tapioca starch. This is what really sets apart true-to-form dried raw foods like Frontier Pets (100% freeze-dried) and Eureka (100% air-dried) who don’t cost-cut with cheaper ingredients.

That said, the Animals Like Us formulas are still pretty good, with a fantastic range of offal (lung, liver, tripe, etc). Organs are very rich in nutrients, and often more beneficial for your dog.

Personally I would avoid feeding too much liver, and given the Beef and Lamb formulas both contain liver as one of the top ingredients it might be worth rotating with another food or even the Salmon formula where liver isn’t as prominent.

33% protein is really good to see, and combined with 12% fat means less carbs. Carbohydrates should always be minimised in our dog’s diets. Many kibbles can be very high in carbs, which means the 37% carbohydrates (estimated) in Animals Like Us RawBlend33 is very respectable.

I note the analysis isn’t guaranteed like most pet foods, which may mean more carbs than I’ve estimated, and also less protein and fat. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt though, in the hope these figures are relatively on point.

The ingredients as a whole are good. The raw freeze-dried pieces are a combination of meat and organs, and salmon, and your dog will benefit mostly from these parts of the food.

The kibble itself looks to be chicken (chicken meal) combined with the peas, potatoes, and tapioca, and possibly more animal ingredients by the looks of it. Like all kibbles we also find fat, plus a range of less prominent ingredients to add vitamins, minerals, and stuff like flaxseed, green mussels, and other beneficial selections which should give your dog a healthier diet than other brands of food.

Probiotics are added to the kibble after cooking, and are always a welcome addition to help your dog digest a food.

It’s nice to see Animals Like Us on the shelves of Woolworths, and it gives you a better alternative to most. I realise I’ve picked a few holes in the formula, but generally I find it pretty good.

Animals Like Us Treats

The two treat flavours (Grass-Fed Beef and Grass-Fed Lamb) are liver, lung, and meat, freeze dried.

No other additives.

That means they make great, convenient, healthy treats for your dog. It also means another option is fresh meats from the supermarket, so it depends on your preference.

Where to buy

Animals Like Us dog food and treats are available at various American retailers.

Ingredients

The ingredients of Animals Like Us RawBlend33 dog food (Grass-Fed Beef Recipe 33% Raw):

Beef Lung, Beef Liver, Chicken Meal, Peas, Potatoes, Tapioca Starch, Beef Tallow (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Beef, Beef Green Tripe, Beef Meal, Lamb Meal, Dried Carrots, Brewers Dried Yeast, Flaxseed, Natural Flavour, Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Blueberries, New Zealand Green Mussels, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Calcium Propionate, Ferrous Sulfate, Dried Chicory Root, Shellfish (Source of glucosamine), Vitamin E Supplement, Green Tea Extract, Rosemary Extract, Spearmint Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Sodium Selenite, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cobalt Sulfate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

Analysis (not guaranteed?)

The analysis of Animals Like Us RawBlend33 dog food (Grass-Fed Beef Recipe 33% Raw):

Sick of reading reviews?

Tired of searching for a decent dog food you can afford? I think you’ve come to the right place!

Canidae are a company I have come to trust. Very rarely do I hear a complaint about the company or their products, which suggests reliability and a good standard of manufacture.

The grain free PURE range is excellent but comes at a premium price, which makes the All Life Stages offering a good option for those on a tighter budget.

If you’re looking for a decent dog food which doesn’t come at such a high price, then this is probably a very good choice.

Canidae All Life Stages review

You’ll find other dog foods on the best rated list with a higher meat content, but for a much higher price. Especially the top freeze or air dried brands, which, although wonderful may break your bank account.

What I like most about Canidae All Life Stages is it’s a practical option for most dog owners. Feeding this as a base diet, or your go to kibble, will help you keep the cost of feeding your dog down, and there’s no reason you can’t feed one of those more expensive foods to boost nutrition. Best of both worlds?

The main ingredients are a combination of different meats (chicken meal, turkey meal, and lamb meal), combined with a selection of rice (brown and white rice) as well as some peas, potato, and oatmeal.

It’s good to have a mix of ingredients, and the protein of 24% is above average. I find 14.5% fat a little low, but combining this with another food (air/freeze dried, BARF patties, meaty bones etc) will sort out that problem.

Canidae only use “human grade ingredients” which is likely the reason consumer feedback has been so good over the years. I can’t think of an American dry food which does that, which makes Canidae All Life Stages stand out from the crowd.

Even when we look at the more minor ingredients there’s a lot of good stuff to be said. Flaxseed, ocean fish meal, alfalfa, pre and pro biotics, and preserved naturally with rosemary extract.

For the price, Canidae All Life Stages will be a really good choice for many, which is why I consider it one of the best dog foods available in America.

Related: Canidae PURE (More premium, limited ingredient, higher price)

Where to buy?

Ingredients

Ingredients of Canidae All Life Stages dry dog food:

Chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, white rice, rice bran, peas, potatoes, oatmeal, cracked pearled barley, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), millet, tomato pomace, natural flavor, flaxseed meal, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries, beta-carotene, rosemary extract, sunflower oil, yucca schidigera extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, cobalt proteinate, papaya, pineapple.

Guaranteed Analysis

Guaranteed analysis of Canidae All Life Stages dry dog food:

I’ve fed ACANA to my own cat on many occasions, and it’s one of my “go to” cat foods. It’s the little sister of Orijen which is probably the best dry cat food you can buy in America, but ACANA is thankfully more budget friendly.

ACANA is a good choice for your cat if you want something reliable, with decent ingredients, and although isn’t the cheapest will be much healthier for your cat than most.

Champion Petfoods who make both Orijen and ACANA have an excellent reputation for quality, and this has been the case for many years.

Let’s take a closer look!

ACANA review (Meadowlands)

What the marketing says

For the sake of the review I’ll focus on ACANA Meadowlands which is based on chicken and turkey. All recipes are on par, it’s just hard to write about all of them!

It’s an All Life Stages formula which means it’s suitable for kittens and older cats as well as your regular middle-aged tabby.

On the bag we find 75% small prey animal ingredients, which will be great for your cat, with the first three ingredients (chicken, turkey, chicken liver) being fresh or raw at the time of “kibblefying”, and the top six ingredients from animal sources.

I expect in reality the 75% is what’s known as “wet weight” before cooking (meat ingredients lose a lot of moisture during cooking), so won’t be as amazing “dry weight”. Nevertheless it’s still really good, and way way better than most other cat foods in America.

We also find the food is biologically appropriate which is somewhat of a marketing term meaning they consider it appropriate for your cat, and it’s nice to see they’ve used free-run poultry, freshwater fish, and cage-free eggs.

Good so far, so let’s see how the ingredients back up the marketing claims!

What the ingredients really say

I’m happy to say the claims on the bag are honest and accurate, and the ingredients as a whole are really good.

It’s great to see a mix of chicken and turkey as well as liver which is highly nutritious and rarely found in cat foods (especially dry cat foods). Personally I avoid feeding liver every day, but there’s no reason you can’t offer your cat a diet of ACANA and a few other tasty options.

The fourth ingredient is chicken meal, so another species-appropriate ingredient, and it’s also great to see catfish meal and pollock meal as well.

Compare these ingredients to any cat food in the supermarkets and you’ll realise how good this food is in comparison.

All dry cat foods have a carbohydrate or starch ingredient to bind it into a kibble. Usually this is some kind of grain or potato, but in the ACANA cat foods we find a combination of lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas which I find to be better choices.

If you’ve read this far then you’re probably getting a good impression of ACANA as a good choice for your cat?

But wait, it gets better!

Usually by now the ingredients are nothing to rave about, but with the ACANA cat foods this is where they really shine.

Let me just cut & paste the next chunk of ingredients:

rainbow trout, eggs, catfish, pollock oil, natural chicken flavor, chicken heart, lentil fiber, turkey meal, turkey liver, turkey heart, chicken cartilage, turkey cartilage, freeze-dried turkey liver

I probably don’t need to explain the health benefits of the above, so I’ll simply say they’re great for your cat!

Find me another dry cat food with such a range of “whole prey” ingredients. You’ll be hard pushed.

And wait, there’s more:

dried kelp, whole cranberries, whole pumpkin, collard greens, carrots, apples

Pretty good, isn’t it?

Before you nip off to Pet Circle to buy a bag (price compare below), there’s one more clever point I’d like to make about the ACANA cat foods, and that’s the “freeze-dried turkey liver” you may’ve spotted on the ingredients.

I’ll explain…

Many cheaper cat foods use something known as a “palatant” to get your cat to eat it. This is particularly the case with cheap cat foods made of grains. It turns out cats will enthusiastically eat unhealthy kibble if it’s coated with some cheap animal tallow or glycerine. This in turn makes you as a consumer think the product is great – “My cat LOVES this stuff!”.

We know how picky cats are, and I often find cats turn their nose up at healthier foods which don’t use such palatants, which is really frustrating for us.

Coating the kibble with freeze-dried turkey liver is a great alternative to a nasty palatant, and will hopefully make ACANA a little easier to feed to your cat! In a healthy way!

ACANA cat food is recommended by me, and I hope you have success with it!

Where to buy?

ACANA cat food may be found at the following retailers:

Ingredients

Ingredients of ACANA dry cat food (Meadowlands All Life Stages):

Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken liver, chicken meal, catfish meal, pollock meal, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, chicken fat, pea starch, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, rainbow trout, eggs, catfish, pollock oil, natural chicken flavor, chicken heart, lentil fiber, turkey meal, turkey liver, turkey heart, chicken cartilage, turkey cartilage, freeze-dried turkey liver, choline chloride, dried kelp, whole cranberries, whole pumpkin, collard greens, carrots, apples, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, mixed tocopherols (preservative), taurine, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin A acetate, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, copper proteinate, L-carnitine, DL-methionine, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product.

Guaranteed analysis

Guaranteed analysis of ACANA dry cat food (Meadowlands All Life Stages):