ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet
ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet scores 4/5 on Moesonson's label-based analysis. Its strongest factor is protein clarity (high — 100% of the recipe's protein panel is clearly named); its weakest is animal-protein content (moderate — 70% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources).
Rating
Updated Jul 2026
How this score is made
This score isn’t a hand-wavy impression: it reads what the label actually prints — the ingredient list, guaranteed analysis and AAFCO adequacy statement — and runs it through the same algorithmic rubric as every other product. No brand pays for placement, and there are no affiliate links on reviewed products.
Is ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet dry dog food good?
ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet is a dry dog food rated 4 stars, with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. However, most minerals are supplied in inorganic forms that may be less well absorbed. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Legumes, Poultry.
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Free From:
Pros
- Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
- Contains organ meats that provide natural vitamins and minerals.
- Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Cons
- Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.
Nutrition Breakdown
| Protein | 35% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 17% |
| Est. Carbs | 34% |
| Fiber | 6% |
| Ash | 9% |
Moisture (12%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 31% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15% |
| Est. Carbs | 30% |
| Fiber | 5% |
| Moisture | 12% |
| Ash | 8% |
As-fed values are the raw percentages printed on the product label.
Tips
- Protein is High (35% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. For many healthy dogs, this can support muscle maintenance, though dogs with kidney disease or other medical conditions should follow vet-guided diet targets.
- Fat is High (17% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It can support calorie needs for active or growing dogs, but portion control and pancreatitis history deserve extra attention.
Ingredients Analysis
26 of 26 matched
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1 Raw Duck
Animal ProteinDescription
Raw duck meat, a source of protein and healthy fats.
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2 Duck Meal
Animal ProteinDescription
A novel animal protein source in pet foods. Other than protein, it is also rich in vitamin B3, B2, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and copper.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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3 Whole Green Peas
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
A type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 22% protein.
Digestion Concern
Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
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4 Whole Red Lentils
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
A type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 27% protein.
Digestion Concern
Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
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5 Raw Duck Liver
Animal ProteinDescription
Raw duck liver, rich in iron, vitamin A, and B vitamins.
Why Prefer?
A nutrient-dense organ meat.
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6 Duck Fat
FatDescription
The fatty layer separated during the cooking process. It is a quality animal fat source with a high level of omega 6s.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal fat with high digestibility and biological value.
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7 Fresh Pears
CarbsDescription
Fresh pears providing fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
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8 Whole Chickpeas
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
Also known as garbanzo beans, a type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 20% protein.
Digestion Concern
Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
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9 Whole Green Lentils
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
A type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 27% protein.
Digestion Concern
Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
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10 Whole Yellow Peas
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
A type of legume that is added to boost up the protein content and acts as an alternative carb. It contains around 22% protein.
Digestion Concern
Legume contains oligosaccharides, which is a 3 - 5 carbon short-chain sugar that are indigestible by dogs / cats.
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11 Pea Starch
Carbs Plant ProteinDescription
The starchy part of peas after protein is extracted for pea protein products. It mainly consists of carbs and around 13% plant-based protein.
Why Concerned?
A controversial filler with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
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12 Lentil Fibre
CarbsDescription
Fiber extracted from lentils, used as a dietary fiber source.
Why Concerned?
A named legume fiber source.
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13 Algae
Plant ProteinDescription
An excellent source of various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium. Rich in rare mineral iodine essential for healthy thyroid function.
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14 Fresh Whole Butternut Squash
CarbsDescription
An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and beta carotene.
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15 Fresh Whole Pumpkin
CarbsDescription
An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and beta carotene.
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16 Dried Kelp
CarbsDescription
An excellent source of various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium. Rich in rare mineral iodine essential for healthy thyroid function.
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17 Salt
OthersDescription
Mainly added to enhance the flavor, might cause kidney and blood pressure issues in a larger dose. High-quality pet foods should get a sufficient amount from raw meat, additional salt is not necessary.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
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18 Dried Chicory Root
CarbsDescription
Contains insulin, which is a prebiotic that promotes friendly bacteria in the gut and supports better digestion.
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19 Whole Cranberries
CarbsDescription
High in vitamin C and antioxidants, it is also best known for fighting Urinary Tract Infections. While it could be true for humans, the effect on pets is yet to be confirmed by further research.
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20 Whole Blueberries
CarbsDescription
Superfood packed with antioxidants, a good source of vitamin C, K, and manganese.
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21 Turmeric
CarbsDescription
Orange ginger-like plant often used in making curry. It contains curcumin, which is a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects. However, its color is the main purpose of adding it to pet foods.
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22 Milk Thistle
CarbsDescription
A herbal remedy often used to treat liver disorders. It has a high concentration of silymarin, which is a compound known to have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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23 Burdock Root
CarbsDescription
A long brown vegetable root that is commonly used for cleansing and detox. Past Research study suggests that it can help remove toxins from the blood and improve circulation.
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24 Lavender
CarbsDescription
The purple flower famous for its fragrance and color. It provides a trace amount of minerals and is believed to have calming effects. However, the plant of lavender contains a compound called linalook, which is toxic to both cats and dogs. It could cause vomiting, reduced appetite, and nausea when a large quantity of lavender.
Why Concerned?
A controversial ingredient that might cause health issues, unnecessary for the risk.
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25 Marshmallow Root
CarbsDescription
A herb usually used as a remedy to treat skin, respiratory, and digestive issues. The healing power is mainly from the mucilage it contains.
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26 Rosehips
CarbsDescription
Small red seeds that are rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, catechins, quercetin, and ellagic acid. These help the body to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Tips
- Named animal proteins near the top: Raw Duck, Duck Meal are listed early in the ingredient panel.
- Plant protein signal: Whole Green Peas, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Chickpeas may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Ingredients worth checking: Pea Starch, Lentil Fibre, Salt.
- Possible digestion triggers: Whole Green Peas, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Chickpeas, and 2 more have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High- Named 100%
Strong clarity: 100% of ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 0% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Animal Protein
Moderate- Animal 70%
- Plant 30%
Mixed protein sources in ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet: 70% animal, 30% whole plants, and 0% plant-protein concentrates. The recipe combines meat with notable plant-protein signals.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant
ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet dry dog food Review
ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet is a strong choice — rated 4 stars with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. A confident pick when the ingredient panel matches your pet's needs.
Best for
- Owners who want clearly named protein sources
- Pets avoiding gluten grains
Avoid if
- You're avoiding legumes
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Contains common allergens: Legumes, Poultry.
- On a dry-matter basis: 35% protein, 17% fat, 34% estimated carbohydrates.
- 70% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Fish, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet good for dogs?
Yes — ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet earns 4 out of 5 stars on Moesonson’s label-based analysis, combining high ingredient transparency with moderate animal protein content. The score is computed from the printed ingredient list and guaranteed analysis rather than marketing claims — a confident pick when the label matches your dog’s needs.
Does ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet does not include Dairy or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Dairy can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Does ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet contain Egg?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet does not include Egg or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Egg can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Does ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet contain Legumes?
Yes — according to the printed ingredient list, ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet contains Legumes. Pets with a known Legumes sensitivity should generally avoid this recipe, or check with a veterinarian first. Moesonson flags allergens directly from the label’s ingredient panel, so this reflects what the manufacturer actually declares.
Does ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet does not include Nuts or closely related ingredients, so pets sensitive to Nuts can typically avoid that trigger here. Recipes do get reformulated, though, so re-check the packaging before feeding — Moesonson’s reading reflects the label at analysis time.
Is ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet grain-free?
Yes — ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet is grain-free according to its printed ingredient list: no gluten grains (like wheat) and no gluten-free grains (like rice or corn) appear in the recipe. That makes it a candidate for pets with diagnosed grain sensitivities, though grain-free offers no automatic benefit for pets without one.
What are the main protein sources in ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet?
The main animal proteins in ACANA Singles Free-Run Duck Recipe Limited Ingredient Diet are Raw Duck, Duck Meal, Raw Duck Liver. Each is named by species on the printed ingredient list — a protein-clarity strength in Moesonson’s scoring, because named sources let you verify what your dog is eating and avoid specific proteins when managing food allergies.
