We’ve partnered with ACANA® to help you feed your pet with confidence.
When you’re hunting for the best high-protein pet food, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers. But the real question is – are you ensuring the protein content is aligned with your pet’s natural dietary needs?
The quality of the meat – and how easily your pet can actually digest it – matters just as much as the number you see on the bag.
That thinking is at the heart of ACANA®’s approach.
Its Biologically Appropriate philosophy is based on a simple idea: pets thrive on diets that reflect what they evolved to eat in the wild. ACANA® recipes prioritise high-quality animal ingredients, delivering real nutritional value and nourishing dogs and cats the way nature intended.
What do dogs use protein for?
Like humans, dogs need protein to build and repair tissues, maintain lean muscle mass, and support normal immune function. It also keeps their skin healthy and their coat shiny.
How much protein do dogs need?
There’s no single number for all dogs – it depends on their breed, age, activity level, size, and specific health needs.
In the pet food world, you’ll often hear about "minimum standards" (like those from AAFCO). For an adult dog, that absolute minimum is 18% protein (adult dogs) and 22.5% protein (puppies and pregnant dogs). However, keep in mind that these figures are a baseline. Many diets provide protein levels well above minimum requirements, helping to support overall health and wellbeing so dogs can thrive.
Protein sources for dogs
Not all protein sources are the same. Animal-based ingredients provide essential amino acids in proportions that more closely match a dog’s nutritional needs, while plant-based proteins are often combined with other ingredients to help achieve a complete amino acid profile.
The quality, source and digestibility of protein all play a role in how effectively those amino acids are absorbed and used by the body, making them important considerations when choosing a dog food.
The best protein for your dog will prioritise:
- Whole animal ingredients: By incorporating WHOLEPREY ratios of meat, organs and cartilage, ACANA® provides a concentrated, natural source of virtually every nutrient your dog needs to stay healthy.
- Better digestibility: High-quality animal ingredients, like fresh and raw inclusions, provide nutrients that are more readily digested. ACANA® includes fresh and raw red meat, poultry, and fish, providing an excellent source of nutrients (and flavour that pets love).
- Variety in proteins: In the wild, no hunter ate the same thing every day. Diversity was an animal’s best chance for balanced nutrition. ACANA® mirrors this by mixing it up – like adding mackerel, herring, and redfish in a single bag.
ACANA® Dry Dog Food Comparison
| Recipe | Crude Protein (min) | Key Protein Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Atlantic | 33% | Mackerel, herring, redfish, silver hake |
| Meadowlands | 33% | Chicken, turkey |
| Puppy Chicken & Turkey | 31% | Chicken, turkey |
| Free-Run Poultry | 29% | Chicken, turkey |
What do cats use protein for?
Cats need protein as an important energy source and for essential amino acids such as taurine, for heart and eye health. As obligate carnivores, cats have a lower tolerance for carbohydrates compared with dogs. Translation? They’re built for meat; biologically hardwired to derive their energy almost exclusively from animal ingredients.
How much protein do cats need?
AAFCO recommends a minimum of 26% for adult cats and 30% for kittens, but many high-quality diets provide higher levels to match their natural biology. Cats have a higher baseline for protein because their bodies use it for energy even at rest.
Senior cats especially need that boost. As they age, they can lose the ability to digest fats and proteins as efficiently, so high-quality animal protein helps support maintenance of lean muscle mass.
High-protein cat food
Just like in dog food, the protein source is important. Check the first ingredients: you want to see actual animal ingredients like salmon, chicken, or turkey. Choosing recipes that include clearly identified animal protein sources can help provide a consistent source of essential nutrients, alongside a balanced overall formulation.
With ACANA®, you know your pet is getting quality animal proteins in every recipe. They feature a high inclusion of animal-based ingredients, including fresh and raw components, alongside a variety of WHOLEPREY meats, organs and bone. You’re looking for diversity here. When your cat gets multiple proteins in each formula, they get a full range of amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
ACANA® Dry Cat Food Comparison
| Recipe | Crude Protein (min) | Key Protein Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Meadowlands | 36% | Chicken, turkey |
| Kitten First Feast | 36% | Chicken, turkey |
| Wild Atlantic | 36% | Mackerel, herring, hake, redfish |
| Senior Entrée | 33% | Chicken, turkey |
Looking for high-protein food with quality ingredients you can trust? Shop the ACANA® range for both dogs and cats – exclusively at Petstock.