Our verdict
Is ACANA Large Breed Puppy a good dog food?
We score it 69/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for puppies, with chicken, dried chicken protein and lentils as the main ingredients.
30% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
- Labelling or feeding guide is aimed at large dogs
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists chicken
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated turkey protein
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists hake
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 33% · Fat 15%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33% |
| Fat | 15% |
| Fibre | 6% |
| Ash | 7% |
| Moisture | 12% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 1.20% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 2.40% |
| Calcium | 1.40% |
| Phosphorus | 1% |
Energy: 337.5 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Feeding and storage
Storage
Once opened, store ACANA food in its packaging by rolling the top of the bag down after each use. In humid climates, use an airtight container and keep the entire bag inside. Wash the storage bin when changing bags. Keep lot number and Best Before date handy. Refrigeration is not required; store in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
3a890 Choline chloride (choline): 980 mg; 3b612 (Zinc: 112.5 mg); 3b407 (Copper: 11 mg); 3a821 Vitamin B1: 100 mg; 3a825i Vitamin B2: 20 mg; 3a314 Niacin: 200mg; 3a841 Calcium-D-pantothenate: 60mg; 3a831 Vitamin B6: 35 mg; 3a316 Folic Acid: 7mg; 3a835 Vitamin B12: 0.2 mg; 3a672a Vitamin A: 3750 IU; 3a671 Vitamin D3: 500 IU; 3a700 Vitamin E: 550 IU; 3a300 Ascorbic Acid: 0.15mg
Technological additives
1b306(i) Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils: 121 mg; 1a330 citric acid: 40 mg
Ingredients (40)30% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 64.0%
- veg 26.3%
- oil 6.0%
- carb 1.3%
- fibre 1.2%
- additive 1.2%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh chicken (22%) | Chicken | meat · medium | 22 | 22.0 |
| 2 | chicken meal (21%) | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | 21 | 21.0 |
| 3 | whole red lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 1.4 |
| 4 | whole green peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 1.3 |
| 5 | 3.25% liver | Chicken Liver | meat · good | 3.25 | 3.3 |
| 6 | 3.25% heart | Chicken Heart | meat · good | 3.25 | 3.3 |
| 7 | fresh eggs (4%) | Egg | meat · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 8 | raw hake (4%) | Hake | meat · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 9 | fish oil (4%) | Fish Oil | oil · good | 4 | 4.0 |
| 10 | herring meal (4%) | Herring Meal | meat · medium | 4 | 4.0 |
| 11 | whole chickpeas | Chickpeas | veg · good | - | 1.3 |
| 12 | pea starch | Pea Starch | carb · poor | - | 1.3 |
| 13 | turkey meal (2%) | Dehydrated turkey protein | meat · good | 2 | 2.0 |
| 14 | whole green lentils | Lentils | veg · medium | - | 1.3 |
| 15 | whole yellow peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 1.2 |
| 16 | chicken fat (2%) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil · good | 2 | 2.0 |
| 17 | lentil fibre | Lentil Fiber | fibre · medium | - | 1.2 |
| 18 | raw turkey livers (0.5%) | Turkey liver | meat · good | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| 19 | salt | Salt | additive · poor | - | 1.2 |
| 20 | dried kelp | Kelp | veg · good | - | 1.2 |
| 21 | fresh whole apples | Apples | veg · good | - | 1.2 |
| 22 | fresh whole butternut squash | Butternut Squash | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 23 | fresh whole carrots | Carrots | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 24 | fresh whole pears | Pears | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 25 | fresh whole pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg · good | - | 1.1 |
| 26 | fresh whole zucchini | Courgette | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 27 | dried chicory root | Chicory root | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 28 | fresh kale | Kale | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 29 | fresh spinach | Spinach | veg · good | - | 1.0 |
| 30 | fresh turnip greens | Turnip | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 31 | fresh beet greens | Fresh Beet Greens | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 32 | whole blueberries | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 33 | whole cranberries | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 34 | whole saskatoon berries | Whole Saskatoon Berries | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 35 | burdock root | Burdock Root | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 36 | lavender | Lavender | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 37 | marshmallow root | Marshmallow Root | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 38 | milk thistle | Milk Thistle | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 39 | rosehips | Rose Hip | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 40 | turmeric | Turmeric | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
- 1. Fresh chicken (22%)22% declared22.0% estimated
- 2. chicken meal (21%)21% declared21.0% estimated
- 3. whole red lentils1.4% estimated
- 4. whole green peas1.3% estimated
- 5. 3.25% liver3.25% declared3.3% estimated
- 6. 3.25% heart3.25% declared3.3% estimated
- 7. fresh eggs (4%)4% declared4.0% estimated
- 8. raw hake (4%)4% declared4.0% estimated
- 9. fish oil (4%)4% declared4.0% estimated
- 10. herring meal (4%)4% declared4.0% estimated
- 11. whole chickpeas1.3% estimated
- 12. pea starch1.3% estimated
- 13. turkey meal (2%)2% declared2.0% estimated
- 14. whole green lentils1.3% estimated
- 15. whole yellow peas1.2% estimated
- 16. chicken fat (2%)2% declared2.0% estimated
- 17. lentil fibre1.2% estimated
- 18. raw turkey livers (0.5%)0.5% declared0.5% estimated
- 19. salt1.2% estimated
- 20. dried kelp1.2% estimated
- 21. fresh whole apples1.2% estimated
- 22. fresh whole butternut squash1.1% estimated
- 23. fresh whole carrots1.1% estimated
- 24. fresh whole pears1.1% estimated
- 25. fresh whole pumpkin1.1% estimated
- 26. fresh whole zucchini1.0% estimated
- 27. dried chicory root1.0% estimated
- 28. fresh kale1.0% estimated
- 29. fresh spinach1.0% estimated
- 30. fresh turnip greens0.9% estimated
- 31. fresh beet greens0.9% estimated
- 32. whole blueberries0.9% estimated
- 33. whole cranberries0.9% estimated
- 34. whole saskatoon berries0.8% estimated
- 35. burdock root0.8% estimated
- 36. lavender0.8% estimated
- 37. marshmallow root0.8% estimated
- 38. milk thistle0.8% estimated
- 39. rosehips0.7% estimated
- 40. turmeric0.7% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-09-15
Brand and contact: ACANA
- Phone
- 01737 767679
- Address
- Bern Pet Foods Ltd. Bancroft Place 10 Bancroft Road Reigate, Surrey RH2 7RP UK
- Contact page
- www.acanapetfoods.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-15
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.acanapetfoods.co.uk
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: - · 1 reviews
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall score of 69 out of 100. Positive contributions come from the meat content, which adds +6.7, and the overall quality of the ingredient list, adding +6.4. However, these are balanced by deductions for the processing format at -6.7 and ingredients without printed percentages at -3.2.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.44 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 69.6% | 0.096 | +6.68 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.3% | -0.115 | -0.26 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 11.7% | -0.092 | -1.08 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 12.1% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 2.1% | 0.163 | +0.35 |
| Recipe graded poor | 2.5% | -0.065 | -0.16 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 1.3% | 0.060 | +0.08 |
| Undeclared quantities | 30.0% | -0.106 | -3.17 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Additive penalty | -1.46 | 0.222 | -0.32 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.44 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 69.6% | 0.096 | +6.68 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.3% | -0.115 | -0.26 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 11.7% | -0.092 | -1.08 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 12.1% | -0.005 | -0.06 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 2.1% | 0.163 | +0.35 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.012 | +0.00 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 2.5% | -0.065 | -0.16 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 2 | -0.876 | -1.75 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 1.3% | 0.060 | +0.08 |
| Undeclared quantities | 30.0% | -0.106 | -3.17 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -1.46 | 0.222 | -0.32 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 69.1
- Final score
- 69/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 33 | 37.5 | 100 |
| Fat | 15 | 17 | 100 |
| Calcium | 1.4 | 1.6 | 100 |
| Phosphorus | 1 | 1.1 | 100 |
| Calcium:phosphorus ratio | 1.4 | 1.4 | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 337.5 | 383.5 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 14 nutritional additives on the label
- 3a890 Choline chloride (choline): 980 mg
- 3b612 (Zinc: 112.5 mg)
- 3b407 (Copper: 11 mg)
- 3a821 Vitamin B1: 100 mg
- 3a825i Vitamin B2: 20 mg
- 3a314 Niacin: 200mg
- 3a841 Calcium-D-pantothenate: 60mg
- 3a831 Vitamin B6: 35 mg
- 3a316 Folic Acid: 7mg
- 3a835 Vitamin B12: 0.2 mg
- 3a672a Vitamin A: 3750 IU
- 3a671 Vitamin D3: 500 IU
- 3a700 Vitamin E: 550 IU
- 3a300 Ascorbic Acid: 0.15mg
High confidence: full analysis plus minerals or omegas and declared energy.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (70% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 14/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat or tapioca." — supported by the declared grain-free data.
3 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made with 70% quality animal ingredients like fresh chicken and raw hake balanced with 30% fruit and vegetables (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No artificial flavours, colours or preservatives added in our kitchen. (on page) | Free-from | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| No added grain ingredients, soy, corn, wheat or tapioca. (on page) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| 1st ingredient has fresh chicken in this protein-rich recipe. (on page) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
Alternatives to Large Breed Puppy
Similar on ingredients, protein, format or nutrition, using the same stored data.
Community0 comments
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.