Is ACANA dog food made in China

ACANA FAQs FOR PET LOVERS

Q. WHAT IS FEDIAF AND AAFCO?

FEDIAF is the trade body that represents the European pet food industry. As we do export our ORIJEN diets to Europe, we follow FEDIAF nutritional recommendations for dogs and cats to ensure that our diets are complete andbalanced. AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Our Freeze-Dried foods and Treats are produced in our DogStar Kitchen in the US and adhere to the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for catsand dogs.

Q. Are ACANA foods appropriate for my overweight pet?

Yes. Studies show that feeding dogs a high protein, low carbohydrate diet can help them to reduce body weight better than a high carbohydrate food.High protein diets support weight loss, while not having such severe reductions in caloric intake when compared to traditional high carbohydrate diets. We recommend ACANA Light & Fit, as it does meet these requirements.

Q. What is your position on DCM?

Why some dogs develop DCM is a complex issue that has been studied by scientists for decades. From published research we know many factors may cause a dog to develop DCM, including breed, genetics, biology, pre-existinghealth conditions, digestive issues, obesity, nutrition and processing of key nutrients, as well as activity level. We believe the best diet for your dog depends on the unique nutritional needs of your pet.

The FDA has reinforced that:

• DCM is a scientifically complex, multifaceted disease and in December 2022, the FDA announced it will not release further updates on its research into DCM until there is any meaningful new scientific information toshare, because up until this point the reports under their review provided insufficient data to link grain-free foods to DCM.
• The development of DCM in dogs has a clear genetic component, and potentially other factors, including nutrition, could contribute.
• FDA is not taking any regulatory action against grain-free foods.

There is no question that grain-free foods are safe and nutritionally complete. We have been making premium grain-free foods for 15 years, and dogs thrive on our products. If grain-free foods were dangerous or unsafe, we would have known that by now.Moreover, as a public health agency, FDA would be required to take regulatory action, including recalling grain-free products if they were unsafe or dangerous.We are passionate about the premium quality of the grain-free food we make and are committed to optimizing pet health through sound nutrition. Grain-free foods are safe and nutritionally complete our history and thescience proves it.

The following article, which appeared in the Journal of Animal Science, provides an overview of the scientific literature on the issue.

For more information please contact our Customer Care team.

Q. What happened to the ACANA Lawsuit?

Heavy Metals Consumers represented by the same group of plaintiffs lawyers brought numerous class action lawsuits alleging that the heavy metals in Champions ORIJEN and ACANA dog food was deceptive or misleading. Champion doesnot add heavy metals into its food as an ingredient, or otherwise. Heavy metals are naturally found in the environment and the ingredients in Champions pet food. Every court that has considered this issue has foundthat the naturally-occurring heavy metals in Champions pet food are present at a low, safe levels that are not dangerous or toxic to pets.

Champion, the manufacturers of ORIJEN and ACANA, has tested its dog and cat foods for heavy metals at independent laboratories, using the Official Methods of Analysis by Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC). The results show that the presenceof naturally-occurring heavy metals are well below the National Research Councils maximum tolerable limits, which are the limits that the FDA uses for guidance and are the most widely used scientific guidance availableto veterinary toxicology and nutrition experts for determining what are considered to be safe levels of heavy metals in dog food.

Biologically Appropriate Pet Food At least eight federal courts have dismissed, or affirmed the dismissal of, lawsuits arguing that the term biologically appropriate was deceptive or misleading. These courts found that the term implies the food issuitable for dogs and cats to eat.

The term biologically appropriate refers to pet food that mirrors the natural diets which cats and dogs have evolved to consume, aligned with their digestive anatomy. Studies have shown that the fundamental physiology of modern dogs and cats has experiencedminimal change through domestication. Despite present day domestication, our beloved pets evolved from hunters, which is evident in their digestive mechanisms. Dogs and cats have short gastro-intestinal tracts. Thisindicates that the digestive tract is designed for breaking down protein and fat from meat, rather than plants or grains.

Therefore, in the context of dogs and cats, biologically appropriate food would typically consist of fresh or raw meat, offering high protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate content. It's worth noting that substantial amounts of grains and carbohydratesare not considered biologically appropriate for your pets, which is why our food is low in carbohydrates, unlike many other premium pet food brands.

Where is ACANA Dog Food Made?

To stay healthy, dogs require a complete and balanced diet.

The essential nutrients needed to ensure an optimally healthy dog diet include minerals, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Moreover, specific dietary requirements include an assortment of fresh meats, minimal carbs, and large amounts of proteins.

The primary goal is to promote the dogs well-being by providing him with feeds mimicking what these canine companions would consume were they in the wild.

Fortunately, meeting this dietary requirement should not be a major worry for pet owners as there are pet food brands dedicated to providing dogs with the right amount of nutrients to meet their metabolic and physiological needs.

Among them is ACANA dog food, which provides dogs with all the necessary nutrients for healthy growth.

But where is the ACANA dog food made? Where do they source their food ingredients from?

In this post, we will answer the above questions and more to give you a quick overview of this great dog food brand.

Lets dive right in

What is ACANA Dog Food?

ACANA dog food is hailed as biologically appropriate dog food made using fresh ingredients.

The phrase biologically appropriate implies that its products are specifically designed to suit a dogs anatomy, metabolism, and physiology.

All of the brands feeds comprise mostly of WholePrey meats to ensure they meet the required protein quotient.

Plant matter and vitamin supplements are also included to achieve maximum nutritional value.

This premium protein-rich dog food includes recipes purposely suited for senior dogs, adult dogs, and puppies.

There are also singles formulas and zero-grain recipes for pets with varied sensitivities.

These products are available in different packages including canned, canned/dry combo, freeze-dried, toppers, and dry kibble.

In terms of ingredients, around 62.5% of ACANA recipes consist of high-quality animal ingredients, while the remaining 37.5% consist of botanicals, vegetables, and fruits.

Animal ingredients, such as eggs, fish, turkey, chicken, pork, and meat, offer a reliable source of proteins.

On the other hand, fruits, vegetables, and botanicals provide dogs with natural fiber and essential nutrients, most notably vitamins.

Other sources of natural fiber used in ACANA dog food recipes are wholesome grains including sorghum, millet, and oats.

Where is ACANA Dog Food Made?

ACANA dog food is a product of Champion Petfoods.

The company was started in 1985 by Reinhardt Muhlenfeld in Edmonton, Alberta, Canadawhich is still the brands headquarters.

What started out as a tiny family business has today grown into a massive award-winning conglomerate exporting pet food products to at least 80 nations.

Champion Petfoods manufactures all ACANA dog foods in its company-owned manufacturing plant, NorthStar Kitchensalso located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Apart from NorthStar Kitchens, the company has expanded to have its manufacturing facilities and offices in Auburn, Kentucky. They call the Kentucky facility the DogStar Kitchens.

Champion Petfoods prides itself in sourcing only the highest quality ingredients from specially curated fisheries, ranches, and farms.

It sources responsibly-farmed fish from Scandinavia, WholePrey Lamb meat from New Zealand, and other high-quality ingredients from certified suppliers distributed across the northern USA and parts of southern Canada.

ACANA dog food recipes are formulated by a team of dedicated animal nutrition professionals with credentials ranging from Veterinary Medicine, Masters of Science in Animal Nutrition, and Bachelors in Animal Science to PhDs in Food Science.

To ensure maximum safety, each recipe undergoes intense in-house feeding trials in accordance with AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards.

Stool analysis and palatability tests are also carried out by the in-house team.

The brands manufacturing facilities operate by means of a Food Safety System consisting of an ingredient track-and-trace framework and a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (or HACCP) initiative.

The former is purposely designed to keep track of all the ingredients from the source to all other stages of production.

Check out this video for more insight on Champion Pet Foods and their manufacturing processes:

Is ACANA Dog Food Made in China?

Ever since the 2007 cases of pet food poisoning in China, this Asian nation is deemed one of the most dreaded sources of pet foods or their ingredients.

An investigation conducted by the FDA unearthed the use of deadly toxins including melamine and cyanuric acid in Chinese-manufactured or sourced pet delicacies.

ACANA Dog Food, however, is not in any way affiliated with China.

Champion Petfoods does not source any of its ingredients from this country nor does it outsource manufacturing processes to any Chinese company.

All of the companys DogStar Kitchens are Safe Feed-Safe Food (SFSF) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) certified, meaning they observe only the highest food safety standards.

Unknown Truths about Pet Food ACANA

• There has never been an ACANA Dog Food recall. This impressive statistic alludes to the brands high propensity for pet food safety.

• Despite having zero calls, the company was mentioned in the 2019 FDAs dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) scarealongside other 15 dog food brands. However, it is important to note that the issue was related to grain-free products and not the brands themselves. Again, there havent been any conclusive reports that prove that the foods from the mentioned brands were causing the heart condition.

• Another testament to the brands undisputed safety is the Global Markets Program Award issued to Champion Petfoods in 2017. In awarding this prize, the GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) acknowledged that this Canadian powerhouse is in a league of its own when it comes to food safety.

Conclusion

ACANA Dog Food is manufactured using intricately crafted recipes that incorporate freshly-sourced ingredients from Europe and parts of North America.

It is a premium dog food designed to meet your dogs metabolism and physiological needs to the fullest.

However, its only downside is that this canine pet food is somewhat costly.

Whether or not you opt to spend more on this biologically appropriate brand is a personal choice.

Nonetheless, it is no secret that ACANA Dog Food is definitely worth every penny.

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Choosing Between Dr. Martys, The Farmers Dog, and Blue Buffalo for Your Furry Friend!

Hello, pet lovers! Were here to dive deep into the world of premium dog foods a topic we know youve been fetching answers for. Youve probably heard of Dr. Martys, The Farmers Dog, and Blue Buffalo. But with all the barking in the industry, its tough to tell which one will have your dog wagging its tail with joy and health.

Quick Bites: Key Takeaways for the Busy Bees

• Freshness Factor: The Farmers Dog takes the lead with meals that are pre-portioned and delivered fresh.
• Ingredient Integrity: Dr. Martys prides itself on its freeze-dried raw formula, offering top-notch nutrition.
• Value for Money: Blue Buffalo offers a more budget-friendly option without skimping on quality.
• Customization: The Farmers Dog offers a tail-wagging level of meal customization based on your dogs profile.

The Ultimate Dog Food Showdown

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Dr. Martys: If youre leaning towards a diet that mimics what your dogs ancestors might have eaten in the wild, Dr. Martys has got you covered. Their freeze-dried raw dog food boasts a formula rich in proteins and essential nutrients, minus the preservatives found in many commercial brands. Perfect for pet parents who prioritize a natural diet but are mindful of the convenience freeze-dried food offers.

The Farmers Dog: Imagine having a personal chef for your dog. Thats the level of pampering were talking about! The Farmers Dog delivers balanced, freshly-made meals directly to your door, customized to meet your dogs specific dietary needs. Its a hands-off, worry-free option for those who want the best for their pets without the guesswork.

Blue Buffalo: As the more widely available and budget-friendly option, Blue Buffalo isnt a compromise; its a choice for practical pet parents. Their products boast real meat as the first ingredient, along with wholesome grains and veggies. Plus, they offer specific formulas based on size, age, and dietary needs, making Blue Buffalo a versatile option for many.

Top Tips for Making Your Choice

Know Your Dog: Each dog is a world. Understanding your dogs dietary needs, allergies, and preferences is step one.

Budget Wisely: High-quality food is an investment in your dogs health. Decide on what you can realistically afford.

Think Long-Term: Consider the ease of sticking with your choice over your dogs lifetime. Flexibility and availability matter.

Read Reviews: Dive into reviews from other pet parents. Theyre invaluable for gaining insights beyond the label.

Consult Your Vet: Always a smart move. Your vet can provide guidance tailored to your dogs unique health profile.

Final Thoughts: Tail Wagging or Tail Between the Legs?

Choosing the right dog food is a big decision, but armed with the right knowledge, youre now better equipped to make an informed choice thatll keep your dogs tail wagging happily. Whether its the natural allure of Dr. Martys, the personalized nutrition of The Farmers Dog, or the reliable quality of Blue Buffalo, your furry friend is on their way to a healthier, happier life.

Remember, the best choice is one that suits your dogs needs and your lifestyle. After all, a healthy dog is a happy dog and thats what its all about!

Interviewer: Welcome, innovators! The pet food industry is evolving rapidly. What drives your passion in this competitive field?

Dr. Martys Representative: Its all about tapping into natures blueprint. We look back to move forward, crafting diets that echo what dogs would naturally eat. Our approach is steeped in science but also in a profound respect for natures wisdom. This harmony between innovation and tradition fuels our mission to nourish pets as nature intended.

The Farmers Dog Co-Founder: For us, its personal. Witnessing the transformative power of fresh, whole-food diets in our own dogs, we were inspired to make this accessible to all pet parents. Our drive comes from a place of love and responsibility ensuring every dog enjoys a diet as unique as their DNA, tailoring nutrition to their individual story.

Blue Buffalo Founder: Our journey began with a promise to a beloved family dog battling health issues. This vow ignited a quest to create foods that support a healthier, happier life for pets. We blend cutting-edge science with high-quality natural ingredients, democratizing premium pet nutrition. Its not just about competing; its about changing lives.

Interviewer: Fascinating insights! As leaders in pet nutrition, how do you navigate the challenge of educating pet owners about the benefits of your respective diets?

Dr. Martys Representative: Education is at the heart of what we do. We aim to empower pet parents with knowledge, breaking down complex nutritional science into digestible, actionable advice. Through our platforms, we share success stories, nutritional research, and provide direct access to experts. Its about building a community rooted in trust and transparency.

The Farmers Dog Co-Founder: Communication is key. We focus on direct dialogue with our customers, providing personalized support. Our nutrition quizzes and consultations arent just about creating a meal plan; theyre educational tools that enlighten pet parents about the importance of tailored nutrition. Every interaction is an opportunity to teach.

Blue Buffalo Founder: We leverage every channel available from packaging to digital media, to engage and educate. Our True Blue Test compares our ingredients directly with others, providing clear, evidence-based information. Its about offering clarity and choice, helping pet parents make informed decisions that best suit their furry family members.

Interviewer: With sustainability being a critical concern, how does your brand address environmental impacts?

Dr. Martys Representative: Sustainability is integral to our ethos. We source responsibly, opting for ingredients that meet rigorous ethical and environmental standards. Our packaging is designed with minimalism and recyclability in mind. Were constantly exploring innovative ways to reduce our footprint, ensuring our love for pets extends to the planet they inhabit.

The Farmers Dog Co-Founder: From sourcing to delivery, were mindful of our ecological pawprint. Our ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, reducing transportation emissions. Our packaging is biodegradable, and were striving towards a zero-waste production model. Its about nourishing pets while nurturing the earth.

Blue Buffalo Founder: We are committed to sustainability through strategic partnerships and continuous improvement of our operations. Our facilities are designed to minimize energy consumption and waste. By investing in renewable energy and exploring eco-friendly packaging solutions, we aim to lead by example, making sustainability a staple of pet nutrition.

Interviewer: Before we wrap up, could each of you share a piece of advice for pet parents navigating the world of dog nutrition?

Dr. Martys Representative: Listen to your dog. Their body and behavior are powerful indicators of their nutritional needs. Embrace curiosity, ask questions, and seek foods that resonate with their natural dietary rhythms.

The Farmers Dog Co-Founder: Nutrition is the foundation of health. Dont settle for one-size-fits-all solutions. Invest in understanding your dogs unique needs. Its an act of love and the key to a vibrant, joyful life together.

Blue Buffalo Founder: Be a discerning reader. Understand labels and look beyond marketing. The right diet has the power to transform your dogs health. Prioritize quality and integrity in your choices.

Interviewer: Thank you all for sharing your wisdom and passion. Its clear that at the heart of each brand is a deep love for dogs and a commitment to their wellbeing.

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