Brand Comparison · 2026

Acana vs The Farmer's Dog

Acana (Champion Petfoods' more affordable line; same WSAVA gaps as Orijen) and The Farmer's Dog (fresh-cooked subscription with the largest market share; meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, with a feeding-trial affidavit but partner-kitchen production) compared head-to-head on WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, AAFCO substantiation, monthly cost, and which dog each is best for in 2026. The Farmer's Dog meets 4 of 5 WSAVA criteria. Acana is roughly 53% less than The Farmer's Dog.

The verdict

Boutique kibble against fresh-cooked food. Acana, Champion Petfoods' more affordable line, is a boutique kibble meeting 2 of 5 WSAVA criteria, owning its manufacturing, with regional-ingredient recipes at $70-120/month, but named in the FDA's DCM investigation, with no named board-certified veterinary nutritionist. The Farmer's Dog is a fresh-cooked subscription meeting 4 of 5, with on-staff board-certified veterinary nutritionists and an AAFCO feeding-trial affidavit for its Chicken Recipe, but cooked in partner kitchens, at $150-250.

The Farmer's Dog adds higher digestibility in published studies and strong palatability, at 2-6x kibble's per-calorie cost with cold-chain shipping. Pick The Farmer's Dog for named on-staff board-certified nutritionists, fewer compliance gaps, and a picky dog, if budget allows. Pick Acana for Champion's regional-ingredient philosophy at a far lower price, for a dog with no cardiac risk.

Key differences at a glance

Different makers: Acana is Mars Incorporated (Champion Petfoods); The Farmer's Dog is The Farmer's Dog Inc..
WSAVA manufacturer-quality: The Farmer's Dog meets 4 of 5 criteria vs 2 of 5 for Acana.
AAFCO substantiation differs: Acana uses formulation only; The Farmer's Dog uses a mixed approach.
Different formats: Acana is boutique dry kibble; The Farmer's Dog is fresh-cooked subscription.
Monthly cost: Acana runs roughly 53% less than The Farmer's Dog for a typical 50 lb dog.
Heart-health context: Acana appears in the FDA's diet-related DCM investigation, which has not established that any food caused the disease.

Quick comparison

Dimension	Acana	The Farmer's Dog
Parent company	Mars Incorporated (Champion Petfoods)	The Farmer's Dog Inc.
Category	Boutique dry kibble	Fresh-cooked subscription
WSAVA criteria met	2 of 5	4 of 5
AAFCO substantiation	Formulation only	Mixed
Full-time veterinary nutritionist	Yes	Yes
Credentialed formulator	Partial	Yes
AAFCO feeding trials	No	Yes
Owns manufacturing plants	Yes	No
Quality control program	Partial	Yes
Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog)	$70 – $120 / month	$150 – $250 / month

Mars Incorporated (Champion Petfoods)

Acana

Champion Petfoods' more affordable line; same WSAVA gaps as Orijen.

Strengths

Less expensive than Orijen with similar formulation philosophy
Owned manufacturing
Recipes built around regional ingredient sourcing

Watch-outs

Named in 67 reports in the FDA's 2019 DCM update, the most of any brand. The FDA did not establish that any food caused the disease
Formulation-only substantiation
No named board-certified veterinary nutritionist (Champion reports a full-time PhD animal nutritionist)

Best for: Owners who want Orijen's philosophy at a lower price and accept the trade-offs.

Avoid if: You want full WSAVA compliance or your dog has cardiac risk factors.

Visit Acana ↗

The Farmer's Dog Inc.

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh-cooked subscription with the largest market share; meets 4 of WSAVA's 5 questions, with a feeding-trial affidavit but partner-kitchen production.

Strengths

Higher digestibility than typical kibble (published studies, 5-10 points higher)
Board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff (Renee Streeter, Joe Wakshlag, Susan Wynn)
Vet-formulated with documented nutrient targets
Strong palatability for finicky eaters

Watch-outs

2-6x more expensive than premium kibble per calorie
AAFCO feeding-trial affidavit covers the Chicken Recipe; other recipes are not confirmed to have one
Food is cooked in partner kitchens rather than owned plants
Cold-chain shipping complexity
No long-term outcome data

Best for: Owners with the budget for the price premium, finicky dogs, or dogs with mild transitional GI issues.

Avoid if: You travel frequently or board your dog often; budget cannot sustain $150-250/month.

Visit The Farmer's Dog ↗

Which is better for your dog?

The right pick depends on your individual dog. Acana is the better choice when: Owners who want Orijen's philosophy at a lower price and accept the trade-offs. The Farmer's Dog is the better choice when: Owners with the budget for the price premium, finicky dogs, or dogs with mild transitional GI issues.

On cost, Acana is roughly 53% less than The Farmer's Dog at the midpoint of typical premium spec for a 50 lb adult dog. On WSAVA manufacturer-quality criteria, The Farmer's Dog meets 4 of 5 vs 2 of 5 for Acana.

Checking one brand rather than the pair? See is Acana WSAVA-approved or is The Farmer's Dog WSAVA-approved.

Where to buy

Made your pick?

Check current pricing on whichever brand fits your dog. Prices and promotions change frequently, so it is worth comparing both before you commit to a bag or a subscription.

Shop Acana on Chewy →

Disclosure: these are affiliate links and IntelliBowl may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission does not influence the comparison above. See our methodology.

Personalized recommendation

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Compare these brands against others

Methodology: WSAVA criteria reflect each brand's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of October 2026, scored against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. AAFCO substantiation reflects the dominant method used across the brand's main retail product line. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. Recommendations are editorial and not influenced by affiliate relationships. See our recommendation methodology for IntelliBowl's quiz-engine ranking logic.