
ACANA Wholesome Grains Free-Run Poultry
Quality-focused owners who want traceable ingredients with a perfect safety record

Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose ACANA Wholesome Grains Free-Run Poultry
Quality-focused owners who want traceable ingredients with a perfect safety record
ACANA delivers premium ingredient quality with zero recalls ever — a rare combination. Free-run poultry with named sources and the wholesome grains formula addresses grain-free DCM concerns. At ~$1.60/day it costs more, but the ingredient quality and safety record justify the premium for many owners.
Strengths
- Zero recalls in brand history — flawless safety record
- Free-run chicken and turkey with named, traceable protein sources
- Wholesome grains option addresses DCM concerns while maintaining quality
Limitations
- Premium pricing at ~$1.60/day puts it out of reach for some budgets
- Smaller 22.5 lb bag means more frequent purchasing
- Rich formula may cause digestive adjustment for dogs switching from lower-protein foods
When to Choose Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley
Owners who follow veterinary recommendations and want science-backed formulation
Hill's Science Diet is the other pillar of veterinary-recommended nutrition alongside Purina Pro Plan. The formulation is precise and backed by feeding trials. However, corn gluten meal and by-product meal at ~$1.24/day makes it expensive for what you get ingredient-wise. You're paying for the research, not the ingredients.
Strengths
- Developed by veterinary nutritionists with extensive feeding trial validation
- Precise nutrient balance designed for optimal adult maintenance
- Clean safety record for dry food lines over the past 5+ years
Limitations
- Contains corn gluten meal and chicken by-product meal — not premium ingredients
- Higher price (~$1.24/day) for ingredient quality that trails premium competitors
- Minimal sourcing transparency — ingredient origins are not disclosed

