ACANA Classics, Chicken and Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Dry food for dogs · All life stages · by Acana
The label states it is complete and balanced (AAFCO).
See the full breakdown in Beagly
What to watch for
- Peas Moderate risk
Peas add plant protein, starch and fiber. The FDA has been investigating reports of heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating diets high in peas, lentils and other legumes, often grain-free. No cause has been proven, but it is worth knowing when legumes sit near the top of the list. - Natural flavor Low risk
Flavoring from natural sources. Normally safe, but the term can hide which animal or plant it came from, which matters for allergies. - Pea starch Low risk
Starch from peas, used as a binder in grain-free kibble. Part of the legume load the FDA DCM investigation looked at. - Dried kelp Low risk
Seaweed that supplies iodine and trace minerals. Too much kelp can push iodine too high, so it should be a minor ingredient. - Salt Low risk
Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which dogs need. Pet foods use small amounts; high salt is mainly a concern for dogs with heart or kidney disease. - Copper sulfate Low risk
A source of copper, an essential trace mineral. Some breeds accumulate copper in the liver, and vets have raised concern that some dog foods supply more than dogs need.
What it does well
- Complete & balanced
Meets an AAFCO nutrient profile. - Named meat first
First ingredient is chicken.
Ingredients
Chicken, chicken meal, pearled barley, whole peas, oat groats, chicken fat, whole oats, lentil fiber, natural chicken flavor, pea starch, fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, potassium chloride, dried kelp, salt, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, taurine, whole apples, whole butternut squash, whole carrots, collard greens, whole pears, whole pumpkin, copper proteinate, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 25% |
|---|---|
| Crude fat (min) | 15% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 6% |
| Moisture (max) | 12% |
| Calcium (min) | 1.2% |
| Phosphorus (min) | 1% |
| Calories | 3,305 kcal/kg, 397 kcal/cup |
What the label cannot tell you
- Ingredient order is by weight before cooking; fresh meat counts water.
Higher-scoring dry food for dogs
- Acana Wholesome Grains Dry Food for Dogs - Sea to Stream 94/100 · Excellent
- Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium & Maxi 94/100 · Excellent
- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey & Chicken 93/100 · Excellent
- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey 93/100 · Excellent
- Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium & Maxi 92/100 · Excellent
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Informational, not veterinary advice. The score is our opinion of a food, built from the facts on its label with our published method. No brand pays to rank higher. Recipes change: check the bag you have, or scan it in the app.
Score version 2026.11.6 · Page updated 2026-11-03