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Acana Cat Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Written by: Ed Malaker

Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

ACANA Cat Food Review

Acana Cat Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

VET APPROVED

Dr. Karyn Kanowski Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Karyn Kanowski

Veterinarian, BVSc MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Review Summary

Our Final Verdict

We give ACANA cat food a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. 

Introduction

ACANA has various premium cat food recipes and flavors that are rich with animal protein and nutrients to ensure that your cat gets everything that they need for a complete and balanced meal. It has diets specifically for kittens, adults, and seniors, and the farmlands of Alberta, Canada, where the company is based, inspire each formula. If you are thinking about trying this food but would like to know more about it first, keep reading for an in-depth comparison, so you can see if it’s right for your cat.

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The ACANA Cat Food Recipe

Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Winner
ACANA Indoor Entrée Adult Dry Cat Food ACANA Indoor Entrée Adult Dry Cat Food
  • Real fruits and vegetables
  • 65% real meat ingredients
  • No artificial colors or preservatives
  • ACANA Cat Food Reviewed

    About ACANA Cat Food Products

    ACANA’s cat food has a strong focus on ingredients, prioritizing the inclusion of whole-prey ingredients like meat, organs, cartilage, and bone. This mirrors the diet that felines would naturally eat in the wild and ensures that plenty of protein is in each meal. The company uses fresh, regional ingredients sourced from trusted farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, and it has formulas for kittens, adult cats, and seniors, along with options for cats with specific dietary requirements like weight management or food sensitivities.

    Who Makes ACANA Cat Food and Where Is It Produced?

    Champion Petfoods makes the ACANA brand, and it’s based in Alberta, Canada. The company also produces the ORIJEN brand, and both ORIJEN and ACANA have many products available for cats and dogs. The production of ACANA cat food takes place in Champion Petfoods’ state-of-the-art kitchens, with one located in Alberta, Canada, and one in Kentucky, U.S.A. Each source uses high-quality ingredients from local suppliers and is committed to transparency, sustainability, and biologically appropriate recipes.

    Which Types of Cat Is ACANA Cat Food Best Suited For?

    ACANA has formulas that are appropriate for cats of all life stages, from kittens to seniors. These diets provide balanced nutrition that supports growth, maintenance, and overall health throughout your pet’s life, and there are even formulas that help with weight control, allergies, and other sensitivities. The focus on high protein and biologically appropriate diets ensures that the food is similar to what cats might find in nature, as well as what many raw diets are based on, making it a good choice for any feline.

    tabby cat eating from metal bowl
    Image Credit: LightField Studios, Shutterstock

    Which Types of Cat Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

    Some cats might not enjoy the flavor and refuse to eat certain formulas from ACANA. If this is true for your pet, you might be better off choosing a different brand so it doesn’t lead to anxiety or misbehavior. If your cat has a specific prescription food that they need to eat, ACANA might not have that formula available.

    Recall History

    There have been no recalls of ACANA cat food, and Champion Petfoods, the parent company, has also had no recalls. That said, it’s a good idea to check frequently with the FDA, as recalls can happen at any time.

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    Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

    Real Meat

    ACANA uses real meats, such as farm-raised and free-run chicken, turkey, and rabbit, to provide the protein that will help your pet stay healthy and develop strong muscles. Fish can also provide omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, and many cats enjoy the flavor of these proteins.

    Organs, Bone, and Cartilage

    ACANA food has organ meat, which is rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, along with cartilage and bone, which help provide calcium and phosphorus. These ingredients set ACANA apart from many other brands and provide your pet with a taste of the wild.

    Fruits, Vegetables, and Supplements

    Although these ingredients are not strictly essential, they provide some benefits in the form of variety. The added taurine is very likely unnecessary given the quality meat ingredients, but it is reassuring to know that your cat’s needs will be met. Together, these ingredients help ensure a healthy digestive tract with less risk of diarrhea or constipation and a stronger immune system that will help fight off disease.

    Allergy Sensitivities and Cost

    Unfortunately, due to the many different kinds of protein in the formulas that ACANA produces, there is a high risk that your cat may be sensitive to one of them, so it’s a good idea to start with small amounts when introducing this food to your pet. The many high-quality proteins also make this brand more expensive than most others.

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    ACANA Cat Food Review

    ACANA Indoor Entrée Adult Dry Cat Food

    ACANA Indoor Entrée Adult Dry Cat Food

    ACANA Indoor Entrée Adult Dry Cat Food has all the nutrition that an indoor cat needs to stay healthy. It has free-run deboned chicken as the first ingredient, and 65% of the kibble is quality animal ingredients, which include free-run deboned turkey, deboned rabbit, chicken cartilage, chicken liver, and chicken heart. Whole cranberries, dried kelp, green lentils, and chickpeas help provide a nice blend of fiber, probiotics, and nutrients that will help keep your pet’s digestive tract in good shape, and there are no artificial colors or preservatives. It’s a good choice for weight management, and the omega fats that it contains will help promote a shiny coat.

    The only downside is that some customers complain that their cats don’t like it.

    Pros
    • 65% real meat ingredients
    • No artificial colors or preservatives
    • Real fruits and vegetables
    • Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids
    Cons
    • Some cats don’t like it

    Ingredients Analysis

    Crude Protein: 36%
    Crude Fat: 14%
    Crude fiber: 6%
    Carbohydrates: 34%
    Moisture: 10%
    Vitamin E: 300 IU/kg

    Calories per Cup Breakdown:

    ½ cup: 207 kcal
    1 cup: 414 kcal
    2 cups: 828 kcal

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    What Other Users Are Saying

    • Chewy — “My cats seem to love their ACANA food. I feel good about giving them this brand as I did my research, and it is a wholesome product.”
    • Petco — “My cat really enjoys this food. So many different protein options too.”
    • Amazon — We always check Amazon reviews before buying cat food. Read the ones for ACANA cat food here.

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    Conclusion

    ACANA cat food is a high-quality product that comes in many varieties, so it’s not hard to find one that your cat will love. Each formula is high in protein and biologically appropriate for felines, which can help take them back to their wild roots while still providing a complete and balanced meal for kittens, adults, and seniors. Most customers feel good about giving this brand to their pets, with the biggest complaints being that some cats refuse to eat it and that it’s expensive.

    See also:

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