Label analysisGrade DListed ingredientsKibble (Extruded)

Acana

Acana Free-Run Duck Recipe

Calculate portions with this foodChoosing for your dog
Editor ingredient insight

Acana Free-Run Duck starts with fresh duck, duck meal, peas, lentils, duck giblets, and duck fat, with high protein and solid omega disclosure.

It is worth considering for active duck-tolerant dogs, not for pea/lentil avoidance.

Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
Illustration of duck beside a dog-food bowl
Primary protein ingredient · Duck

01. NUTRIENT PROFILE

Key nutrients & mineral profile

As-fed basis
Disclosed protein and fat
Protein 31%Fat 15%Other 54%Other includes moisture, ash and remaining components.
Position within the same processing type

Compare protein, fat and energy density in low, typical and high bands.

Protein positionHigher

This food is on the higher side for crude protein among extruded foods.

Fat positionTypical

This food sits around the typical crude fat range among extruded foods.

Calorie densityLower

This food is on the lower side for calorie density among extruded foods. That alone does not make it a weight-management diet; check portion guidance, fat, and fiber together.

Key guaranteed nutrientsAs-fed
Calcium1.3%
Phosphorus0.9%
Crude fiber5%
Omega-30.8%
Omega-62.2%

Undisclosed values are not treated as zero.

02. INGREDIENT QUALITY & DISCLOSURE

Disclosed ingredients & ingredient grade

The analysis uses the registered ingredients. Complete-panel coverage is not verified, so an unlisted ingredient cannot be assumed absent.

Listed ingredients

Read the listed ingredients below. Complete-panel coverage is not verified here; do not infer that an unlisted ingredient is absent.

Duck ingredient illustration
Primary protein ingredient · Duck
C3/6Ingredient gradeMixed
Ingredient #1 · Fresh duck (18%)Top
Fresh Meat
Ingredient #2 · duck meat meal (17%)Lower
Generic Meal
Ingredient #3 · whole green peasLower
Whole Plant Protein
Ingredient #1Top

Fresh duck (18%)

Fresh duck (18%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.

Ingredient #2Lower

duck meat meal (17%)

duck meat meal (17%) is a generic rendered protein source. Protein may be concentrated, but the animal source is not specific. It reads as an lower-tier protein source.

Ingredient #3Lower

whole green peas

whole green peas is a whole plant-protein ingredient. It is not a processed protein concentrate, but when it appears near the top it can still weaken the animal-protein-led structure. It reads as an lower-tier plant protein booster.

Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Fresh duck (18%) — Primary positive ingredientsduck meat meal (17%) — Caution ingredientswhole green peas — Caution ingredientswhole red lentils — Caution ingredientsfresh duck giblets (liver, heart, kidney) (7%) — Primary positive ingredientsduck fat (6%) — Neutral ingredientsfresh bartlett pears (4%) — Neutral ingredientswhole garbanzo beans — Caution ingredientswhole green lentils — Caution ingredientswhole yellow peas — Caution ingredientsdried duck cartilage (2%) — Support positive ingredientslentil fiber — Neutral ingredientsmarine algae (1.2%) (pure and sustainable source of DHA and EPA) — Support positive ingredientsfresh whole butternut squash — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole pumpkin — Neutral ingredientsdried brown kelp — Support positive ingredientsfreeze-dried duck liver (0.1%) — Support positive ingredientssalt — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole cranberries — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole blueberries — Neutral ingredientschicory root — Support positive ingredientsturmeric root — Neutral ingredientsmilk thistle — Support positive ingredientsburdock root — Neutral ingredientslavender — Neutral ingredientsmarshmallow root — Neutral ingredientsrosehips — Neutral ingredients
Primary positive ingredientsSupport positive ingredientsAlternative proteinNeutral ingredientsCaution ingredientsHigh-caution ingredients
Protein sourceIngredient guide

Unclear animal protein source

Animal protein · Fresh duck (18%) (#1), duck meat meal (17%) (#2), fresh duck giblets (liver, heart, kidney) (7%) (#5), dried duck cartilage (2%) (#11), freeze-dried duck liver (0.1%) (#17)

Plant protein · whole green peas (#3), whole red lentils (#4), whole garbanzo beans (#8), whole green lentils (#9), whole yellow peas (#10)

Animal-based does not always mean clearly sourced.

Unspecified animal protein is read conservatively.

Included support ingredientsNutrient guide
EPA+DHASkin, joint, and heart support ingredientCranberryUrinary support ingredientChicoryGut support ingredientTurmeric/curcuminAntioxidant and joint support ingredientMilk thistleLiver support ingredientOmega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredientVitamin EAntioxidant and skin support ingredient

03. CHOOSING FOR YOUR DOG

What to consider before feeding

Fresh duck (18%), duck meat meal (17%) supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. whole green peas, whole red lentils contribute plant protein alongside carbohydrates and fiber among the leading ingredients. Total crude protein is not a measure of meat-derived protein alone.

duck fat (6%) add fat and energy; fat content is a separate choice criterion from the protein sources.

What works well in this food

  • Crude protein is on the higher side.
  • The first ingredient is a species-named fresh meat.
  • Calorie density is on the lower side.
  • Nutrient disclosure is broad enough to compare real numbers directly.

Check before feeding

  • Fresh meat carries a moisture variable. When whole plant protein sources are also high in the list, part of the crude-protein number may come from those plant ingredients.
  • Plant proteins can lift crude protein on the label, but the real animal-protein share still needs a closer check.
  • If higher energy density matters more, another option may fit better.

When this food fits your dog

Among foods made the same way, protein is higher, fat is typical, and calorie density is lower. This combination is worth comparing when protein matters but a higher-calorie food is not the aim. High protein alone does not make it an active-dog-only food; judge weight changes against total daily calories.

Consider it first when

  • Weight-management priorities
  • Portion-control friendly shopping
  • Lower-calorie comparisons first

Choose another food first when

  • Higher energy density is the first priority
  • A stronger meat-first recipe matters more than calorie control

Plant-protein concentration remains the clearest trade-off here.

04. COMPARE FOODS

Smart duck alternatives

Exact protein-type matches come first, then close protein-family matches fill the comparison.

05. MANUFACTURING & DISCLOSURE

Manufacturer background & public information

Acana background

Founded in 1985 in Canada.

Disclosure confidence C2

Detailed nutrition is visible, but not at a product-level traceability standard.

Recall information

This brand has a confirmed public recall history.

May 12, 2026

Final word

Interpret this for my dog

The food-first public score is only the starting point. Once your dog’s activity, weight goals, life stage, and health status are applied, the recommendation order and interpretation can change.

Treat this review as an early screen. If the food stays interesting, verify it again with your dog-specific context before acting.