Acana Duck & Bartlett Pear

[Jacksons Mom]

I just purchased two bags of Acana Duck & Bartlett Pear online - I was placing a big order for canned food and treats and was happy to see it available on there (as it's not yet available in our local store).

I am wanting him to be on a bit simpler formula (one type of meat) vs. all kinds of different proteins like the other Acana grain-frees are, so it's easier for me to pinpoint if he has specific problems with certain things. He doesn't ever have any big problems with really any kibble - sometimes poo is mushier on certain foods than others, or he has a lot more eye boogers, or more itching, but in general, there's no HUGE problems, just little things *I* notice. But anyways, I don't know, I am just lately wanting a simpler formula.

Little backstory: Jackson has eaten Acana grainfrees for a while now... there's been a few others mixed in occasionally but it's been mainly Acana for 2 years now. We did go from late July-early November trying some lower protein lower fat foods (because one vet thought he had pancreatitis, but later our regular vet told us he didn't, and I don't think he did anymore either) so ANYWAYS, I was never happy with his coat on those foods, it got a lot more dull, etc, so back onto Acana we went and all problems of itchiness or lack of shine/softness went away.

I guess all that was unnecessary, but if you read it all, you deserve a cookie.

So basically I really am liking the looks of this Duck and Pear formula - it's NOT grain-free, but I think most of Jackson's problems came from barley, millet, etc, which this does not have. And since we seem to have had the best luck with Acana, I'm glad to see them offering another formula for us to give us a shot.

I did have a question though: what is duck considered? Poultry, red meat, gamebird... no clue. Is it fattier than other meats, less fat, easy on the stomach, any good for skin/coat moreso than other meats, etc, etc?

Acana Duck and Bartlett Pear
Dehydrated duck (23%), deboned duck (17%), steel-cut oats, peas, whole pears (10%), whole potato, duck fat (5%), duck liver (5%), sun-cured alfalfa, oat flakes, algae meal (source of DHA, EPA), pea fiber, whole apples, sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, spinach, cranberries, blueberries, kelp, minerals, vitamins, chicory root, juniper berries, angelica root, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, lavender, plus premium vitamins and minerals.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude protein (min.) 25 %
Crude fat (min.) 17 %
Crude ash (min.) 7.5%
Crude fiber (max.) 4 %
Calcium / Phosphorus (min.) 1.3 % / 1.0 %
Omega-6 /Omega-3 (min.) 2.5 % / 0.7 %
DHA / EPA (min.) 0.3 % / 0.3 %
Glucosamine (min.) 1200 mg/kg
Chondroitin sulfate (min.) 900 mg/kg

CALORIE DISTRIBUTION
Metabolic Energy is 3582 kcal/kg (435 kcal per 250 ml cup) with 25% of energy from protein, 40% from fat and 35% from fruits, vegetables and steel-cut oats.

[whiteleo]

Love Acana, this must be the new line we didn't think we could get in the states! If I fed kibble, Acana would be it for my dogs....

[Jacksons Mom]

Yep, they took out the Milk Thistle (apparently it was not AAFCO approved to be in food, only as a supplement?) and it's now allowed in the US so stores will start carrying it. I guess it's going to be a whole new line, called the Singles line, it's going to have Chicken and Burbank Potato, Lamb and Apple and this Duck and Pear.

[PDXdogmom]

Duck is considered a game bird and is a fattier meat than say chicken. The guaranteed analysis looks good to me and the ingredient list is a nice change from many grain-inclusive formulas' reliance on white rice and barley.

I doubt that the pear is there for anything except marketing. We humans like the idea of duck & pear or lamb & apple. I don't think it makes the formula any better.

That said, if I were to try a kibble with grain again, I would certainly try this one. I'm curious when we might see it come to Oregon.

[3 dog mom]

Jacksons mom, where were you able to order this food from? I would love to try my girls on this.

[Jacksons Mom]

Duck is considered a game bird and is a fattier meat than say chicken. The guaranteed analysis looks good to me and the ingredient list is a nice change from many grain-inclusive formulas' reliance on white rice and barley.

I doubt that the pear is there for anything except marketing. We humans like the idea of duck & pear or lamb & apple. I don't think it makes the formula any better.

That said, if I were to try a kibble with grain again, I would certainly try this one. I'm curious when we might see it come to Oregon.

Thanks for the info on duck!

I agree on the pear and apple thing. For sure marketing... but eh well, what can ya do? It's like Fromm - as much as I love them and their company, pork and applesauce always makes me laugh. Ha.

I agree- I am really happy to see a simpler formula but STILL coming from a good amount of meat content, but coming from only one SOURCE of protein, but the fat and protein is still not extremely low like a lot of grain inclusive formulas are. And again, sooo happy not to see barley, millet, flaxseed, tomato pomace, etc, because I think those MAY be some ingredients that affect Jackson.

[Jacksons Mom]

Jacksons mom, where were you able to order this food from? I would love to try my girls on this.

Dog Supplies :)

[Jacksons Mom]

The Duck in that is poultry and frankly I would not use duck unless you need to. Keep it is as dry powder in case you need it down the rode for an allergy. This food looks no better than than Canidae which is probably half the price. It is also very low calorie for a 17% fat food, must not be very digestible.

Wow Acana sold out, LOL, is Orijen next? It is funny because the best foods from Champion are the the grain inclusive foods but they wouldn't sell them here until now.

Oh well, it's already ordered, so I'm planning on feeding it. He's already had duck before so I guess it'd be out as a "novel protein" anyways. I much prefer Acana over Canidae as a company, so I will prefer them (Champion) for that reason.

What do you mean Acana "sold out?" It's still the same.... just made a new line of foods, including one formula that was already sold in Canada (Lamb and Apple) but they just changed it a bit.

[KCS76]

I just ordered a bag of this. How does your dog like it? I'm anxious to see how my Golden does on it. He currently eats Orijen or Acana salmon. He's got major food allergies so I have to be careful with the proteins. I've given him Primal raw duck patties, so I'm hoping this duck will be ok. Who knows though since the duck is cooked. I really like Champion pet foods obviously so I was excited to see a new blend.