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Acana vs Primal

Acana vs. Primal

In this comparison article for Acana vs Primal, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Acana and Primal, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Primal vs Acana comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Acana Review Page or Primal Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Primal vs. Acana

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Acana Dog Food vs. Primal Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodAcanaPrimal
Crude Protein36.4%48.0%
Crude Fat20.5%26.7%
Crude Fiber6.2%4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodAcanaPrimal
Crude Protein44.2%49.5%
Crude Fat19.8%28.4%
Crude Fiber8.1%5.3%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry dog food, it's clear that Primal provides significantly more protein. On average, Primal guarantees about 11.53% more protein than Acana. For wet dog foods, Primal provides more protein (about 5.28% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

Our analysis shows that Primal guarantees 6.24% more fat than Acana dry dog food recipes. In addition, Primal wet dog foods also provide more fat than Acana wet foods.


Primal and Acana both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Acana typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.80% more).

Acana Cat Food vs. Primal Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodAcanaPrimal
Crude Protein39.7%50.1%
Crude Fat19.1%24.0%
Crude Fiber4.3%4.8%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

The comparison table above shows that Primal dry cat foods provide significantly more protein than Acana. More specifically, Primal guarantees at least 10.48% more protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Primal and Acana. On average, Acana dry cat food recipes contain 4.92% less fat than Primal recipes.


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands.

Acana Pet Food Ingredients vs. Primal Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Acana.

Heart
Kidney

Product Safety: Recall History of Acana & Primal?

According to our records, Acana has never been recalled.

Primal has been recalled 2 times.

  • March 13, 2015: low thiamine level
  • Dec. 22, 2017: incorrect bone grind size

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodAcanaPrimal
Per Pound$3.57$45.57
Per Calorie$0.0023$0.0227
Dry Cat FoodAcanaPrimal
Per Pound$4.83$45.93
Per Calorie$0.0028$0.0230

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Acana or Primal, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Acana or Primal will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Acana and Primal. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Acana Pet Foods

You can purchase Acana pet foods from the following stores:


34 Recipes In-Stock Today

34 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

13 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Primal Pet Foods

You can purchase Primal pet food products from these retailers:


15 Recipes In-Stock Today

20 Recipes In-Stock Today

15 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductAcanaPrimal
Dry Dog Food46 RecipesNone
Wet Dog Food6 RecipesNone
Dog Treats9 Treats6 Treats
Dry Cat Food10 RecipesNone
Wet Cat FoodNoneNone
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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