Acana Grasslands Grain-Free Formula Review
Update: This is the original Canadian formula that is not available. Check my review of the Acana Grassland formula made in Kentucky.
Acana Grassland Formula contains lamb as the primary ingredient, which is an excellent source of proteins, easy to digest by cats, and less likely to cause allergies. Lambs are locally ranch-raised in Alberta, Canada. Other proteins in the formula are range-free duck, nest-laid eggs from local farms, and fresh delivered wild-caught fish, all ingredients from Canada.
Acana Grasslands Regional formula contains 70% of animal proteins & fats; lamb, duck, fish, and eggs, and 30% fruits and vegetables, with low carbohydrates in the recipe and grain-free, which decreases fat storage in cats. The recipe adds organic sea vegetables and botanicals to improve metabolism and support the cat’s digestive system.
It’s very important to mention that Acana Grassland Regional contains 100% amino-acids cats need. Cats don’t produce certain amino-acids and they need to get them from food, otherwise, some of their biological functions don’t work properly. These amino-acids are 11 and Acana Grassland Regional has all of them.
Note: If you want to check another option of cat food, there is a new Orijen formula made in Kentucky that you may want to check.
FEATURES
- Grain-free
- Low in carbohydrates
- 70% premium meat, poultry, and fats
- Good quality meat proteins, such as lamb, easy to digest by cats.
- 30% fresh fruits and vegetables to support the cat’s immune system and digestive functions.
- With all essential amino acids, cats need for their biological functions.
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 to support immunity and improve skin and fur.
INGREDIENTS
Boneless lamb (15%), lamb meal (13%), boneless duck (8%), pollock meal (7%), duck fat (5%), green lentils, boneless perch (5%), herring meal (5%), red lentils, salmon meal (4%), chickpeas, green peas, herring oil (3%), whole eggs (3%), lamb fat (2%), sun-cured alfalfa, dried kelp, pumpkin, butternut squash, spinach greens, carrots, apples, pears, cranberries, mixed tocopherols (preservative), chicory root, dandelion root, chamomile, peppermint leaf, ginger root, caraway seeds, turmeric, rose hips, freeze-dried lamb liver, freeze-dried duck liver, freeze-dried lamb, Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, plus premium vitamins and minerals.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude protein (min.) 35%, Crude fat (min.) 20%, Crude fiber (max.) 3%, Moisture (max.) 10%, Ash (max.) 8%, Calcium / Phosphorus (min.) 1.8% / 1.5%, Omega-6 / Omega-3 (min.) 2.5% / 1.0%, DHA / EPA (min.) 0.3% / 0.25%, Taurine (min.) 0.2%, Magnesium (max.) 0.1%.
ANALYSIS OF FIRST 5 INGREDIENTS OF ACANA GRASSLAND REGIONAL
Boneless lamb: boneless meat is mostly muscles that add water to weight, lowering the proteins. Though, lamb is an excellent source of proteins, easy to be digested by cats. 3 stars
Lamb meal: Excellent concentrated source of proteins. Lamb is easy to digest by cats and less likely to cause allergies. 5 stars
Boneless duck: Duck is a very good alternative protein. Boneless meat adds water weight, but duck meat adds less water in weight than chicken. 4 stars
Pollock meal: Pollock is a good source of proteins but adds few fatty acids because they have been extracted when dehydrated. Fish can add mercury to the diet (though, pollock has a low level of mercury ). 2 stars
Duck fat: heavy for cats with a sensitive stomach and it could cause overweight to indoor cats. 1 star
What are the Pros and Cons of Acana Grassland Regional Grain-Free?
Learn the good things and bad things about this dry cat food formula so you can make your decision with more complete information:
PROS
- Grain-free
- Lamb is a very good protein for cats, easy to digest.
- Low carbohydrates
- Good level of magnesium (0.1%) which prevents urinary tract disease
- Contains all the amino acids cats need which they must get from food. Essential amino acids prevent future diseases in cats.
- A good percentage of animal ingredients 70%
- A healthy amount of liver in the recipe
- The percentage of meat proteins and fats is similar to a wild cat’s prey.
CONS
- Duck fat could cause overweight in indoor cats
- Fish adds mercury to the diet (the lowest percentage in pollock)
CONCLUSION
Acana Grassland Regional Grain-Free Formula has a good balance in meat, poultry, fish, and fats, with a total of 70% in the formula. The average rate considering the 3 first ingredients ratings is 4 stars, which is very good.
- A very important element is that Acana Grassland contains 100% of all the essential amino acids cats need and which they can’t produce themselves, they must get them from food. These amino acids support several biological functions and if lacking one of these 11 amino acids, they start developing diseases.
- Magnesium is low which prevents urinary tract disease.
- Dry cat foods are not sufficient for a healthy cat diet and they must be mixed with canned wet food and giving your cat plenty of water at all times.
Due to the above conclusion and considering the Pros and Cons of this recipe,
√ I recommend Acana Grassland Regional Grain-Free for indoor/outdoor cats or very active indoor cats.
x I don’t recommend it:
- To cats with a sensitive digestive system or cats that already have urinary tract infections.
Sandi says
Thanks for these reviews. My 14 yr old cat was just diagnosed with hyperthyroid. Looking for the right food to feed her is mind boggling. She’s on Rx meds as well for this thyroid problem.
Cats are not suppose to eat fish. Fish has higher amounts of iodine which defeats the purpose of hyperthyroid medication which is trying to lower the idoine. I don’t know why all these dry foods add fish. There’s so many cats who get hyperthyroidism and the vets don’t seem to know the cause but eating fish as I’ve said harms rather than helps. Cats in the wild never eat fish.
According to Dr. Petersen the famed vet who specializes in cats with thyroid problems, says these cats need high protein foods (over 50% protein) preferably canned, not dry food but high protein, no grain,etc. canned cat food is extremely expensive…$3 to $4 a can a day. Also, cats need pretty high fat but low carb is his suggestion. Basically, what they’d eat in the wild. Squirrels, rodents and birds.
I’m looking for a dry food to augment the wet canned because she always seems hungry on just wet food. A lot of the canned food is water as well. She needs to gain weight as well.
I’m trying to protect her urinary system since high protein may cause problems in that area.
I wish there were more pet food companies making cat food for the hyperthyroid cat.
Kim says
Sandi,
I am having the same exact problems with my 13 year old cat. Hyperthyroid and urinary track issues. I have been trying to find a high protien (meat, not plant) dry food from a company that I trust to use as well but havent come across one without fish.
Please let me know if you find any interesting info.
Kim
Filicity says
Dear Sandi and Kim
The best product for both your cats is Orijen, the meat and veg content is exactly what your cat needs without the added grain/maize/wheat used for bulking the product. It has the proper ratio of Taurine, which what your cats need. I hope this helps. Before you by the product have a look online at the content.
Filicity
Randi Cekosh says
Be Advised that the Orijen & ACANA Products have undergone DRASTIC NEGATIVE CHANGES now that it is being manufactured in a new Kentucky plant in the US!!
I HAVE A CAT ISABELLA WITH IBS/IBD AND AFTER 18 MONTHS OF TRYING DIFFERENT FOODS AND EVEN HAVING HER UNDERGO AN ULTRASOUND TO GET A HANDLE ON HER DISEASE FOUND ACANA-GRASSLANDS THROUGH NUMBEROUS BLOGS ON-LINE. SO MANY PEOPLE SPOKE SO HIGHLY OF THE MIRACULOUS CHANGE IN THERE PETS THAT I GAVE IT A TRY. I HAD THE SAME RESULTS! RECENTLY I RAN OUT OF ACANA GRASSLANDS AND WAS AWAITING MY AUTO DELIVERY FROM CHEWY.COM SO I WENT TO MY LOCAL STORE AND PURCHASE A BAG. I DID NOTICE THE LABEL CHANGE BUT DIDN’T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL WITHIN DAYS OF FEEDING MY CAT FROM THE NEW BAG SHE REVERTED BACK TO THE LIQUID STOOL WE HAD WORKED SO LONG TO CORRECT. I COMPARED THE INGREDIENT LIST AND THE “NEW” FORMULA IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!!!! I AM DISGUSTED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT A COMPANY WOULD COMPLETELY CHANGE A PRODUCT, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT HAS HELPED SO MANY PEOPLE TO CORRECT SUCH A DIFFICULT PROBLEM TO SOLVE. I HAVE TRIED TO CUT THE NEW WITH THE OLD IN HOPES THAT IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF NEW FOOD INTRODUCTION BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. I HAVE A SUPPLY ON HAND THAT WILL GET ME THROUGH SEVERAL MONTHS BUT AM HOPING THAT THIS COMPANY WILL LISTEN TO ITS CONSUMERS AND RE-INSTATE THE OLD FORMULA.
Lorena Ávila says
Hello Randi! thank you very much for sharing your experience and this information. Currently I have the list under revision to modify it when needed. These changes will modify ratings and recommendations. Thanks again!
Karen says
I’m in Canada and they still use the Grasslands version. I think they base it on ‘local ingredients, so the new formula is only for U.S. customers.
Lorena Ávila says
Yes, they are both different formulas for Canada and the USA. I have reviews for both.
Sue says
That’s not good. I’m looking for food for my cat and I dont need problems with new formula. Doing more reash
Randi Cekosh says
DRASTIC INGREDIENTS CHANGE WITH NEW MANUFACTORING PLANT IN KENTUCKY-USA!!
Be advised that this product is not the same product since the plant moved from Canada where they have far more exacting quality standards for pet food than here in the US. They have removed the cleaner proteins and as you will notice moved “Whole Egg” a much cheaper protein substitute from 13 on the ingredients list to now number 3! They have also removed the stomach & digestive soothing items such as
“Ginger Root & Peppermint”! I had purchased a bag of the new formula without realizing all of the ingredient changes and within just a couple of day my cat whom I had worked on finding a food for over 18 months to straighten out her stool reverted right back to diarrhea! I did try to cut in some of the old with the new to see if it was a dietary introduction issue but never met with any better results.
I am now on a quest to find her a substitute food that will work with her IBS condition. I would be grateful for any suggestions!! I am currently trying “GO! Sensitivity & Shine” Please advise if you have any suggestions, Isabella’s little life depends upon it!!
OLD INGREDIENTS LIST:
Boneless lamb (15%), lamb meal (13%), boneless duck (8%), pollock meal (7%), duck fat (5%), green lentils, boneless perch (5%), herring meal (5%), red lentils, salmon meal (4%), chickpeas, green peas, herring oil (3%), whole eggs (3%), lamb fat (2%), sun-cured alfalfa, dried kelp, pumpkin, butternut squash, spinach greens, carrots, apples, pears, cranberries, mixed tocopherols (preservative), chicory root, dandelion root, chamomile, peppermint leaf, ginger root, caraway seeds, turmeric, rose hips, freeze-dried lamb liver, freeze-dried duck liver, freeze-dried lamb, Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, plus premium vitamins and minerals.
NEW INGREDIENTS LIST:
Deboned lamb, deboned duck, whole eggs, lamb meal, catfish meal, goat meal, whole green peas, red lentils, pinto beans, rainbow trout, lamb fat, chickpeas, green lentils, whole yellow peas, herring oil, quail, duck meal, sun-cured alfalfa, natural lamb flavor, lamb tripe, lamb liver, lamb kidney, duck giblets (liver, heart, kidney), duck cartilage, dried kelp, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, carrots, apples, pears, freeze-dried lamb liver, freeze-dried duck liver, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.
Lorena Ávila says
I already answered you on the other comment, thanks for your input, I have been working to modify my list, thanks again!
lori botuchis says
Thank you, I am just finding out about the safest and healthiest food for cats. I use this one for both my dogs and cat. My cat is older now, so obviously I want to keep him around as long as I can. This food is too expensive to not meet up to those standards. Another site actually gave it a lower rating than you would think, much lower than cheaper brands. I appreciate the research on this site, but I especially appreciate your honesty and the facts on this food.
Lorena Ávila says
Hi lori, you must be talking about the new Acana Grassland formula made in the USA. This is the formula made in Canada, the old original formula. Yes, the change in the new formula was not pointing in the right direction. Thanks for your comment.