
An independent Feed Wise evaluation of Acana ACANA Freeze-Dried Patties, Free-Run Duck Recipe, built from the published ingredient panel, guaranteed analysis, certifications and processing method.
Complete diet: complete and balanced (aafco)
Share of scoring criteria backed by published evidence.
Protein
44%
Fat
23%
Estimated carbohydrate
Not calculable
Processing
Freeze dried
Feed Wise considers this a solid, well documented option for ACANA Freeze Dried Patties, Free Run Duck Recipe, a freeze dried formula built on chicken and duck. The manufacturer publishes a nutritional adequacy statement, so it can be fed as a complete daily diet for the life stage named on the label. Owners should note that the country of manufacture is not disclosed.
Duck with ground bone, turkey with ground bone, chicken liver, whole herring, pumpkin, natural fish flavor, chicken heart, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), calcium carbonate, turkey bone broth, organic butternut squash, organic carrots, organic pears, dried chicory root, turmeric, dried kelp, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement), minerals (zinc proteinate, copper proteinate), citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract
1. Duck with ground bone
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Animal Protein
Named animal muscle meat. Highest value protein source in the FeedWise model.
2. turkey with ground bone
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Animal Protein
Named animal muscle meat. Highest value protein source in the FeedWise model.
3. chicken liver
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Organ Meat
Named liver. Nutrient dense organ meat.
4. whole herring
Tier A, exceptional food ingredient
Named Marine Protein
Named fish. Provides high value protein plus marine omega 3 fatty acids.
5. pumpkin
Tier B, high quality supportive ingredient
Whole Food Plant
Whole food plant ingredient contributing fibre, antioxidants and micronutrients.
This is the largest single category in FeedWise. It looks at which animal ingredients are present, whether the species is named, whether organs, egg and named fats are included, and whether concentrated plant proteins are diluting the animal content.
Named animal protein first
Duck with ground bone is a named animal ingredient in position 1.
Animal Prominence Index
Animal Prominence Index 86 of 100. This is a FeedWise position-weighted measure of how far animal ingredients dominate the ingredient panel. It is a label-position index, not a manufacturer-disclosed recipe percentage.
Liver
Liver is included.
Heart
Heart is included.
Other appropriate organs
No additional organ meats identified.
Whole egg
No meaningful egg inclusion.
Named animal or marine fats
Named animal or marine fat sources: whole herring, natural fish flavor.
Verified animal ingredient proportion
Manufacturer confirms 90 percent animal ingredients.
Plant protein dilution
No concentrated plant proteins detected.
Every ingredient is classified into a quality tier and weighted by its position on the label, so ingredient number one counts far more than ingredient number fifteen.
Position weighted ingredient quality
14 food ingredients assessed by quality tier with early positions weighted most heavily. 7 fortifying nutrients or preservatives excluded from the average.
Vague animal ingredients
Animal ingredients without an identified species: natural fish flavor.
Carbohydrate is not calculable because ash is not disclosed. It is left blank rather than overstated.
Carbohydrate burden
Carbohydrate is not precisely calculable because ash has not been disclosed. This is an evidence limitation, not evidence of high carbohydrate, so it is removed from the score and reported as reduced confidence.
Ingredient based plant load
Plant load assessed as LOW. Carbohydrate bearing plant ingredients: organic butternut squash (starchy vegetable), dried chicory root (fibre ingredient).
Processing method: Freeze dried. This category measures food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control, so a raw food can score well here and still lose safety points.
Processing method
Freeze dried processing. Food integrity only. Raw handling safety is assessed separately under Safety and Quality Control.
Animal species clearly identified
Not publicly verified
Ingredient sourcing disclosed
Not publicly verified
Country or region identified
Not publicly verified
Manufacturing location identified
Not publicly verified
Detailed nutritional analysis
A detailed nutritional analysis is published.
Traceability information
Not publicly verified
Manufacturer provides sourcing detail
Not publicly verified
Overall formulation transparency
A complete ingredient panel and an identified manufacturer are on file.
Marketing language alone does not count. Anything that has not been published is shown as not publicly verified rather than as a failure.
Complete and balanced for the stated life stage
ACANA Freeze-Dried Patties Free-Run Duck Recipe Is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, except growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).
Detailed nutritional analysis available
A full guaranteed analysis with energy content is on file.
Qualified formulation expertise
Not publicly verified
Feeding trial or validation
Not publicly verified
Calcium and phosphorus disclosed
Not publicly verified
Batch testing
Not publicly verified
Pathogen testing
Not publicly verified
Supplier verification
Not publicly verified
Lot traceability
Not publicly verified
Nutrient verification
Not publicly verified
Manufacturing quality program
Not publicly verified
Recall context and corrective action
No recalls on file.
A recall alone does not destroy a score. Severity, cause, frequency, recency and documented corrective action are all considered.
Unknown information is not treated as bad information. It is scored as unverified and it lowers the confidence rating instead.
Canadian retailers on record. Stock and price vary by store and province.
ACANA Freeze-Dried Patties Free-Run Duck Recipe Is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages, except growth of large size dogs (70 lb.
Only certifications we can confirm from the brand's own documentation or the certifying body appear here. Nothing is assumed — if a program isn't listed, it isn't disclosed for this product.
| Animal Protein Quality | 20.7 / 25 |
| Ingredient Quality | 16.8 / 20 |
| Carbohydrate and Plant Load | 12.9 / 15 |
| Processing and Food Integrity | 10 / 10 |
| Transparency and Sourcing | 5 / 10 |
| Nutritional Formulation | 8 / 10 |
| Safety and Quality Control | 3.3 / 10 |
| Total | 76.7 / 100 |
FeedWise Score 7.7 · Very Good · High Confidence
How FeedWise Scores Dog Food →Scored by the FeedWise 100 point model. Read the full methodology.
Community reviews do not affect the Feed Wise score.
Real experiences from Paw Privileges members. Reviews never affect the Wise score — scoring is based only on label evidence.







