Freeze-Dried Patties Free-Run Duck Recipe Dog Food
Verified May 4, 2026
This is a high-protein, freeze-dried raw-style dog food featuring duck and turkey with ground bone, plus chicken organs and whole herring as the main animal ingredients. It’s designed as a complete and balanced option for most life stages, or as a topper over kibble, with pumpkin, organic vegetables, and fruit adding fiber and micronutrients. The formula is rich in fat and omega fatty acids, making it a calorie-dense choice for dogs that do well on a meat-heavy diet.
Nutritionally, this is a very high-protein, high-fat, meat-forward freeze-dried diet that can work well for dogs who thrive on calorie-dense, raw-style foods. It uses a variety of named animal ingredients, including organs and ground bone, to provide amino acids and minerals, and it’s formulated to be complete and balanced for most life stages. Because it’s quite rich and energy-dense, it’s best suited to healthy, active dogs and may be too intense for some dogs with sensitive digestion or those needing a lower-calorie diet.
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At a Glance
What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high animal content (90% animal ingredients) with named meats, organs, and whole herring providing high-quality, varied protein sources.
- Strong macronutrient profile for active dogs, with a minimum of 44% protein and 23% fat on an as-fed basis, and relatively low carbohydrate (starch max 10%).
- Includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (including EPA and DHA), which support skin, coat, and overall health needs.
- AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth, so it can serve as a sole diet or a nutrient-dense topper for most dogs.
Considerations
- Contains chicken and turkey, which are common protein allergens; not ideal for dogs truly needing a single-protein duck-only formula.
- Very calorie-dense at about 3,950 kcal/kg and ~99 kcal per patty, so portions need to be carefully measured, especially for smaller or less active dogs.
- High fat content may be too rich for some dogs with a history of pancreatitis or fat-sensitive digestive issues; those dogs often require lower-fat options.
- Not appropriate as a sole diet for large-breed puppies (expected adult weight 70 lb or more), per its AAFCO statement.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Duck With Ground Bone
Duck with ground bone is used primarily as a palatable animal protein source in pet foods, with the ground bone providing bioavailable calcium and phosphorus and contributing to texture and caloric density. It can be a useful novel protein for dogs and cats, but formulators must balance mineral ratios and fat content—excess bone can disrupt calcium:phosphorus balance (important for growing animals and pets with renal disease) and owners should choose products from reputable manufacturers to ensure safe processing and minimize contamination risk.
02
Turkey with Ground Bone
Turkey with ground bone is used in pet food as a combined animal protein and mineral source, providing meat-based essential amino acids along with concentrated calcium and phosphorus from the bone. It can be a nutritious choice for dogs and cats when properly balanced, but high bone content raises ash and mineral levels so formulations must be monitored to avoid calcium/phosphorus imbalances or digestive issues, and sourcing/processing should control microbial risk and allergen considerations.
03
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
04
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
05
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
ACANA offers high-protein dog and cat foods made from fresh regional ingredients. The brand focuses on biologically appropriate nutrition with recipes inspired by nature, often containing various ratios of meat, fish, and poultry along with fruits and vegetables. Positioned as a premium choice, ACANA targets pet owners seeking high-quality, grain-free or limited-ingredient diets.
Visit AcanaManufacturer
Champion Petfoods maintains full control over its manufacturing through its own award-winning kitchens — NorthStar in Alberta, Canada, and DogStar in Kentucky, USA. The company implements strict quality control, adheres to HACCP and FDA manufacturing standards, and monitors safety through both internal testing and third-party audits.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Acana Freeze-Dried Patties Free-Run Duck Recipe Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Acana ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Acana. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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