Acana vs Fromm Dog Food Comparison [Winner?]

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

You know the feeling. You’re standing in the pet store aisle (or an online store), trying to decide between the millions of dog food brands out there.

I’ve been there too and I know just how hard it can be to know which brand to choose for your beloved canine companion.

Well, the good news is, if you have narrowed it down to Acana vs Fromm dog food, you are almost halfway there.

In this post, I will take you through the key features of these two brands so that you can make an informed decision.

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fromm vs acana dog food comparison

Acana And Fromm Dog Food Comparison Overview

⚠️ Consider the following when choosing dog food:

  • Life stage
  • Size of dog
  • Grain-inclusive or grain-free

What’s most important in choosing the right type of food for your dog is understanding its breed (activity levels) and any existing allergies.

If you need more help, consult your vet or find a veterinary nutritionist at the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (AVCM).

While Acana and Fromm are not the biggest dog food companies around, they do offer high-quality ingredients, grain-free formulas, and a variety of flavors to choose from.

However, there are some differences between the two that you should be aware of before making your decision.

Here’s what we will be covering:

  • Brand reputation
  • Ingredients
  • Key Nutrients
  • Range of Formulas
  • Product Safety and Recall
  • Price

Doggy says, consider reading this too: Farmina vs Orijen Dog Food [COMPARED]

1. Brand Reputation

Acana

The Canadian province of Alberta is known for its agriculture, which is where Acana was founded.

The brand has become more associated with quality over time.

Acana currently makes its products in top-notch kitchens in Auburn, Kentucky, and Edmonton, Alberta.

The fact that their goods are currently sold in more than 60 nations places them among the leading producers of dog food on the market.

Acana produces its kibbles with high-quality, biologically appropriate ingredients and offers a selection of dry kibble options that are bursting with nutrients and flavors that are unmatched for a happy, healthy dog.

By combining organic ingredients with protein from wild and free-range animals, the ground-breaking Acana grain-free dog food minimizes food waste, animal cruelty, and environmental harm.

Doggy says, you might like this too: Is Canine Prime Good for Dogs? All Around Supplement Reviewed

Fromm

There are many popular dog food brands that have been around for a long time.

One of these businesses that has a long history and a solid reputation is Fromm.

In their native Wisconsin over these 70-plus years, they have created high-quality dog food ranging from basic kibble to raw foods, but their grain-free recipes have grown to be their most well-known product line.

Fromm stands out from rival products thanks to its dedication to all-encompassing nutrition.

In order to make recipes that taste great and help your puppy develop into a healthy adult dog, they meticulously choose the ingredients from farms all around the country.

2. Ingredients

⚠️ A few points to note about the product label

Product name – tells you the percentage of the main ingredient

  • “Chicken” – at least 70% of the product.
  • “Chicken entree”, “Chicken platter”, “Chicken dinner” – at least 10% of the product.
  • “With chicken” – at least 3% of the product
  • “Chicken flavor” – less than 3% of the product

Ingredients – The first few items listed are the most important and make up the majority of the product (determined by weight).

Meat-meal – Can have much more protein than actual meat. To further understand, refer to this guide by AAFCO.

It is worth pointing out that a closer look at the ingredients list reveals that chicken (and other meats) meal is used for both brands of dog food.

For some, this is a no-no as they are perceived to be of lower grades.

For others, it is a concentrate that provides higher levels of proteins than pure meat alone.

In this comparison article, we will consider the following dry food products from each company:

Additionally, we will also consider the following wet dog food for nutrients comparison in the next section:

Acana

Meats utilized by Acana don’t have any preservatives and are never frozen.

The fresh regional meats used are processed the same day they are received, unlike many other commercial pet meals.

This has a huge impact on Acana’s exceptional palatability and feeding abilities.

The protein sources found in Acana Dog Food are biologically available, readily digested, and absorbed, which are essential for a dog to have healthy muscles, enough energy, recover from injuries, and establish a robust immune system.

Key Benefits

  • Rich in protein from ranch-raised beef, Yorkshire pork, and grass-fed lamb
  • Wholesome oats, sorghum, millet, and ground miscanthus grass are high in fiber and gluten-free, making them a nutrient-dense addition to your dog’s diet
  • 1/2 of the animal ingredients in ACANA Red Meat plus Wholesome Grains are FRESH or RAW
  • Proprietary vitamin pack is a unique blend of B vitamins, E vitamins, taurine, and choline, promoting the proper function of nervous and circulatory systems to ensure peak functionality

Fromm

The ingredients used by Fromm are quite similar to those from Acana, focusing a lot on high-quality products that are supplied by vetted companies.

They are all made in production facilities in Wisconsin, which has led them to win the Small Business Administration of Wisconsin award for producing a high-quality, locally-sourced product.

Many have raved that they are among the healthiest dog foods available since they are scientifically created to offer a complete nutritional palate.

To ensure that their food satisfies the highest possible safety standards, they regularly audit processes and test products with outside parties.

Key Benefits

  • For normally active adult dogs
  • Tastefully prepared with select proteins and wholesome ingredients
  • Enhanced with probiotics to aid digestion and salmon oil for a healthy coat

3. Key Nutrients

AAFCO, The Association of American Feed Control Officials, has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs.

This means that complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the “guaranteed analysis.”

The analysis must validate minimum crude protein and crude fat percentages as well as maximum crude fiber and moisture percentages.

The tables below will show you the data from both dry and wet dog foods from the two brands.

Take note that when comparing dog food nutrients percentages, you should remove the amount of moisture to make it a more even comparison.

This is also referred to as calculating its dry matter basis (use this calculator).

This approach is a more accurate way to understand the true nutrient contents of dog food, instead of just relying on the number on the label (which is an ‘as-fed’ basis).

Acana vs Fromm Dog Food Guaranteed Analysis

Key nutrientAcanaDry matter basisFrommDry matter basis
Crude Protein27% min27.27%25% min27.78%
Crude Fat17% min17.17%16% min17.78%
Crude Fiber6% max6.06%5.5% max6.11%
Moisture12% max10% max
Based on dry adult dog food
Key nutrientAcanaDry matter basisFrommDry matter basis
Crude Protein8% min44.44%7% min38.89%
Crude Fat3% min16.67%3.5% min19.44%
Crude Fiber2% max11.11%1.5% max8.33%
Moisture82% max82% max
Based on wet adult dog food

Crude Protein

Because it gives dogs the amino acids and other nutrients they require for growth, development, tissue repair, and maintenance, protein is crucial to dogs.

Building strong bones and connective tissue is another benefit of protein.

From the tables above, it can be seen that there is pretty much no difference in the dry food versions, but Acana has an advantage when it comes to wet food.

Both products are more than capable of fulfilling a dog’s daily needs (18% min)

Crude Fat

Dogs need fat because it aids in the development and maintenance of healthy cell membranes.

Without these membranes, cells would just sort of flop around since they are what keep cells from losing their structure.

Additionally, fat facilitates the assimilation of vitamins and minerals by dogs.

When you compare the 2 brands, Fromm wet food has a slightly higher fat content.

In the table, you can see that both companies offer more than enough (minimum 5.5%) amount of fats in their recipes, both dry and wet.

Crude Fiber

Fiber is crucial for a dog because it keeps its digestive tract in good shape. Lack of fiber in a dog’s diet can cause constipation as well as other issues.

It also contributes to the health of their digestive system and gives them a sense of fullness, which can help them feel less hungry and avoid overeating.

In this comparison, again you can see that both offers very similar amounts of fiber.

From the data, we can see that both companies offer more than the recommended amount of fiber required (2 – 4%).

4. Range of Formulas

I personally like to stick to one brand of dog food as much as possible, and if a brand gives me that choice, I will be partial to it.

When it comes to the range of formulas, both companies produce a wide range of products that will suit most dog parents.

They cover dietary requirements for puppies all the way through to senior dogs, in both dry and wet options.

In between, you can find both grain inclusive as well as grain-free options for sensitive dogs.

Treats are also available, forming a complete solution for your dog’s diet.

Here’s a look at their most popular products:

5. Product Safety and Recall

There is really no discussion about quality dog food without talking about their safety records.

Companies do make mistakes, and it is important for us dog parents to know about them and decide if they are worth our consideration.

I try to update this section as much as possible, but if you find anything amiss, you may double-check on the FDA’s site or its archives for accuracy.

Acana

There has never been any Acana dog food recall.

Fromm

Fromm issued its first-ever recall in March 2016.

Unacceptable levels of Vitamin D were the reason for the recall of certain cans of dog food.

The recalled cans were “shipped to distributors during the limited time frame from December 2015 to February 2016,” according to the company’s recall announcement.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Fromm as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats in late June 2019.

However, none of the 16 brands have been recalled as a result of the agency’s ongoing investigation.

6. Price

In this section, find out how much it will cost for each brand’s dog foods, both dry and wet, to better understand the financial aspect of using them.

BrandAdult Dry FoodAdult Wet Food
Acana$2.79/pound$7.08/pound
Fromm$2.20/pound$5.86/pound
based on similar product packaging; always check for latest prices

In Conclusion: Fromm vs Acana Dog Food Comparison

So there you have it. I hope that this article has helped you in understanding these two brands and if they are worth considering.

I personally prefer Acana between the two due to the slightly better nutrients but the cost is quite high.

If I were to recommend, I would say go for Wellness Complete Health instead.

That’s my top choice.

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Zack Keithy
Zack Keithy

Hey, I'm Zack, the Chief Editor here. I was formerly a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for a good 6 years before moving on to greener pastures. Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Connect with me on LinkedIn, or read more about Canine Care Central!