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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

What Makes Acana Dog Food Stand Out?

By Anton Hout, author of The Guide to Aussie Training & Care

Acana dog food has been manufactured and distributed by Champion Petfoods for more than 25 years. Champion takes great pride in its biologically appropriate foods and with good reason. Their food is produced in their own award-winning kitchens from nothing but 100% fresh, regional ingredients. It combines fresh meats including beef, chicken, pork and lamb as well as freshwater and ocean fish and a variety of fruits, vegetables and legumes to provide your pet with all of the natural nutrients he needs.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Notice

DCM is a heart condition that has been reportedly linked to certain low carbohydrate dog foods. However, the FDA has still not confirmed a specific cause and its latest study is also inconclusive. As such, at the time of this writing (July 16, 2020) there have still not been any recalls. For further information see: FDA, Dog Food Advisor article, and an article by Daniel Schulof, the founder and CEO of KetoNatural Pet Foods, Inc. addressing potential Bad Science and Financial Conflicts of Interest Plaguing the FDA's Investigation Into "Grain-Free" Pet Foods and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

ACANA Heritage Free Run Poultry Dog Food - 13 lbs

ACANA Heritage Free Run Poultry Dog Food is one of the many highly rated products from Acana available on Amazon.

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What makes the Acana brand stand out is its "Biologically Appropriate" approach, which simply means that all of Acana's foods mirror the freshness and variety of meats that dogs and cats are naturally evolved to eat. That's important because, even though we keep dogs as domestic pets now, they originated in the wild and they never entirely lost the nutritional needs of their wild ancestors. Unfortunately most commercial dog foods don't take that fact into consideration.

A look at the ingredient list of most dog foods will show a variety of fillers and ingredients almost entirely devoid of nutritional value. Look at the ingredient list of Acana dog food and you'll see a completely different picture, including deboned beef, pork, and lamb, various organ meats, fish from local waters as well as the Atlantic Ocean, fresh vegetables like peas, legumes including chickpeas and lentils and even botanicals like turmeric and chicory root.

Australian Shepherd by lake, licking lips.

inkevalentin / stock.adobe.com

Acana prides itself on providing "biologically appropriate" dog food made with 100% fresh, regional ingredients.

Nuvet Plus and Nuvet Hip & Joint Support

ACANA® Highest Protein, Grasslands, Grain Free Dry Dog Food, 13lb

ACANA® Highest Protein, Grasslands, Grain Free Dry Dog Food contains grass-fed Kentucky lamb, nest-laid eggs, rainbow trout, Muscovy duck and free-run quail. Great reviews on Amazon.

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Along with the meats and organ meats, you'll also find cartilage, a healthy natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help to promote good joint health. What you won't find in Acana's foods are additives, preservatives and artificial supplements. All of the nutrients in their food come directly from natural sources so that you can be sure your dog is getting everything he needs without any unnecessary ingredients.

Because they understand the importance of maintaining a good fat to protein ratio, Acana produces foods that give your dog the protein he needs with just enough fat to balance out his nutritional requirements. At the same time, Acana dog food doesn't overdo it on carbs, another importance difference from traditional dog foods that tend to load their products with excess carbs that are the primary cause of obesity in dogs. And all of their foods are produced on site in their own kitchen under the highest of standards, so there are no worries about contamination.

Acana Dog Food Helps You Give Your Dog Everything They Need From All-Natural Ingredients

ACANA Singles Duck and Pear Recipe, 13lb, Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food

ACANA Singles Duck and Pear Recipe, Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food available on Amazon.

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Having a dog food that you can trust to provide your dog with the nutrients he needs is important for all owners, but especially for owners of Australian Shepherds. Aussie owners know that their active, energetic dogs need the right fuel to keep them going throughout their lives. Acana has received some of the highest marks from DogFoodAdvisor.com, earning them an enthusiastic recommendation and making them a great choice for Aussie's.

Unlike many dog foods, Acana doesn't divide their food by life stages, but their unique approach to nutrition makes their foods appropriate for puppies, adults, and older dogs alike. If you have any specific feeding concerns you should consult your veterinarian but in most cases, Acana dog food will provide the proper nutrition for dogs of any age.

If you want a dog food that you can rely on to give your dog everything he needs directly from all-natural ingredients then you should take a long look at Acana. Their line of foods is designed with the evolutionary needs of dogs in mind so you can be sure that your pet is getting only the best in every meal.