ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat
ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat scores 4/5 on Moesonson's label-based analysis. Its strongest factor is protein clarity (high — 92% of the recipe's protein panel is clearly named); its weakest is animal-protein content (strong — 91% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources).
Rating
Updated Aug 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat dry cat food good?
ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat is a dry cat food rated 4 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Poultry, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Legumes, Fish.
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.
Nutrition Breakdown
| Protein | 41% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20% |
| Est. Carbs | 26% |
| Fiber | 3% |
| Ash | 10% |
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
| Protein | 37% |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18% |
| Est. Carbs | 23% |
| Fiber | 3% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Ash | 9% |
As-fed values are the raw percentages printed on the product label.
Tips
- Protein is High (41% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is generally more aligned with cats' higher protein needs than lower-protein recipes, assuming the food is complete for the cat's life stage.
- Fat is High (20% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It can raise calorie density, so watch body condition and seek vet input for cats with pancreatitis or digestive disease.
Ingredients Analysis
36 of 36 matched
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1 Dehydrated Herring
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of herring, which contains up to 400% more protein than the fresh form. It is a small silvery fish with low content of mercury. It is high in protein, vitamin D, selenium, and omega 3s.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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2 Raw Whole Herring
Animal ProteinDescription
A small silvery fish with low mercury, high in protein, vitamin D, selenium, and omega-3s.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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3 Raw Whole Mackerel
Animal ProteinDescription
Raw whole mackerel, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and vitamin D.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality named animal protein with high digestibility.
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4 Raw Hake
Animal ProteinDescription
A mild white fish, high in protein and low in fat, a good source of B vitamins and selenium.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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5 Dehydrated Herring
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of herring, which contains up to 400% more protein than the fresh form. It is a small silvery fish with low content of mercury. It is high in protein, vitamin D, selenium, and omega 3s.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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6 Dehydrated Blue Whiting
Animal ProteinDescription
A small deep-sea fish from the cod family, high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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7 Dehydrated Mackerel
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of mackerel, a meat concentrate contains up to 400% more protein than the fresh form. It is a greenish-blue back silverfish, high in protein, vitamin B12, and selenium. It is also an excellent source of omega 3s, similar to salmon.
Why Prefer?
A high-quality animal protein with high digestibility and biological value.
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8 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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9 Whole Pinto Beans
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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10 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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11 Whole 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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12 Fish Oil
FatDescription
Oil derived from fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA.
Why Concerned?
Fish oil is beneficial but the unnamed source makes quality assessment difficult.
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13 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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14 Whole 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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15 Raw Fish Liver
Animal ProteinDescription
Raw liver from an unspecified fish species, a nutrient-dense organ meat.
Why Concerned?
The fish species is not identified, reducing transparency.
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16 Lentil Fiber
CarbsDescription
The fiber extracted from lentils after removing the starch. It is mainly insoluble fiber.
Why Concerned?
A controversial filler with limited nutrition value to dogs / cats.
Digestion Concern
Legumes contain oligosaccharides, which are short-chain sugars of 3-5 carbons and cannot be digested by dogs/cats.
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17 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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18 Fresh Whole Pumpkin
CarbsDescription
An alternative high carbs filler with an excellent source of potassium, vitamin C, and beta carotene.
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19 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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20 Fresh Whole Kale
CarbsDescription
Fresh whole kale, a nutrient-dense leafy green.
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21 Fresh Whole Spinach
CarbsDescription
Fresh whole spinach leaves, rich in iron and vitamins.
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22 Fresh Mustard Greens
CarbsDescription
The leafy green from the mustard plant, an excellent source of vitamins C and K.
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23 Fresh Turnip Greens
CarbsDescription
Dark leafy greens of the top of turnip, it is packed with vitamin A and C.
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24 Fresh Whole Carrots
CarbsDescription
Fresh whole carrots, rich in alpha and beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin B6.
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25 Fresh Red Delicious Apples
CarbsDescription
Contains mainly carbs and sugar with multiple antioxidants to prevent radical damages by oxidative stress.
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26 Fresh Bartlett Pears
CarbsDescription
A sugary fruit, a good source of vitamin C, folate, copper and potassium, along with polyphenol antioxidant.
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27 Freeze-dried Liver
Animal ProteinDescription
A dehydrated form of unnamed animal livers by "cold" drying instead of "heat" drying. This method retains more nutrition value of the ingredient, but it costs up to 5 times more than the conventional drying process.
Why Notice?
Unspecified animal products from unknown sources. Its quality is highly concerned, often seen in low quality pet foods.
Uncertain/Risky
Could be made from any animals, including "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter). Contaminated meats can lead to severe illnesses. MSG may be linked to several side effects including headache, nausea, and overeating.
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28 Fresh Whole Cranberries
CarbsDescription
Fresh whole cranberries, rich in antioxidants and beneficial for urinary tract health.
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29 Fresh Whole Blueberries
CarbsDescription
Fresh whole blueberries, rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K.
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30 Chicory Root
CarbsDescription
Contains insulin, which is a prebiotic that promotes friendly bacteria in the gut and supports better digestion.
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31 Turmeric Root
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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32 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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33 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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34 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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35 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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36 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: Dehydrated Herring, Raw Whole Herring are listed early in the ingredient panel.
- Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Green Lentils may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
- Higher-priority ingredients to review: Freeze-dried Liver.
- Higher-caution ingredients: Freeze-dried Liver have caution notes in the ingredient database.
- Possible digestion triggers: Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Green Lentils, and 4 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 92%
- Unnamed 8%
Strong clarity: 92% of ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 8% 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
Unnamed
Animal Protein
High- Animal 91%
- Plant 9%
Meat-forward: 91% of the weighted protein in ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat comes from animal sources. Plant signals are modest (9% whole plants, 0% plant concentrates), so the protein profile leans on real meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Plant
ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat dry cat food Review
ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat is a strong choice — rated 4 stars with high ingredient transparency and strong 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
- Pets that thrive on muscle-meat protein
Avoid if
- You're avoiding legumes
Key takeaways
- Named animal proteins make up 92% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
- Contains common allergens: Legumes, Fish.
- On a dry-matter basis: 41% protein, 20% fat, 26% estimated carbohydrates.
- 91% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
- Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Poultry, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat good for cats?
Yes — ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat earns 4 out of 5 stars on Moesonson’s label-based analysis, combining high ingredient transparency with strong 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 cat’s needs.
Does ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat contain Dairy?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat contain Egg?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat contain Legumes?
Yes — according to the printed ingredient list, ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat contain Nuts?
No — based on the printed ingredient list, ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat grain-free?
Yes — ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat 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 Pacifica Highest Protein Cat?
The main animal proteins in ACANA Pacifica Highest Protein Cat are Dehydrated Herring, Raw Whole Herring, Raw Whole Mackerel. 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 cat is eating and avoid specific proteins when managing food allergies.
