An Acana dog food class action lawsuit has been proposed, but no court has found that the food has a cardiac health defect or caused canine heart disease. The lawsuit alleges undisclosed cardiac risks from certain grain-free, legume-heavy formulas; those allegations remain unproven, and no settlement claim process is available. The health concern is canine dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. This disease enlarges and weakens the heart, reducing its ability to pump blood and potentially leading to congestive heart failure.
Official resources:
- Read the original report from FDA — Use this primary source to review the complete report.
- Read the official guidance from FDA — Use this primary source to verify the official guidance.
Table of Contents
- What does the Acana lawsuit allege?
- What does the FDA evidence show?
- Does the evidence prove an Acana cardiac defect?
- Can consumers file a settlement claim?
- What should Acana-fed dog owners do now?
What does the Acana lawsuit allege?
Thea Zabnicki filed the proposed class action against Champion Petfoods USA, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for Colorado on June 28, 2026. The case is listed as No.
1:26-cV-02899 in Justia's federal docket records. The complaint reportedly challenges how Acana grain-free foods were marketed. It alleges that Champion described the products as "Biologically Appropriate" and nutritionally complete without disclosing purported risks associated with legume-heavy formulations, according to Juris Law Group's class action report. These are the plaintiff's allegations. They are not findings that Acana food is defective, that its labels violated the law, or that a particular formula caused a dog's illness.
What does the FDA evidence show?
In 2019, the FDA identified Acana in 67 reported canine DCM cases, the highest number among the brands listed in that investigation. However, the agency cautioned that reports could name multiple foods and did not prove that any listed brand caused DCM, as explained in its 2019 investigation update. The FDA's latest published compilation covered 1,382 dog reports received from January 2014 through November 1, 2022. Reporting was voluntary, so the agency could not verify every case or calculate the background rate of non-hereditary DCM.
Most reported diets listed pulse legumes, such as peas or lentils, high among their ingredients. But legumes have been used in pet food for years, and the FDA says researchers still do not know what specific factors may connect diet and DCM. Reports have involved both grain-free and grain-containing foods. The FDA has not found definitive evidence that the implicated diets are inherently unsafe and has not requested DCM-related recalls.
Does the evidence prove an Acana cardiac defect?
No. A collection of reports can identify a pattern worth investigating, but it cannot establish cause by itself. Researchers must also consider a dog's breed, health, complete diet, feeding history, and other possible influences.
The FDA's report count therefore supports continued investigation, not a conclusion that every Acana formula causes heart disease. It also does not show that each dog eating a pulse-heavy food faces the same risk. Champion disputes the lawsuit's safety theory. The company maintains that its Acana grain-free foods are safe and nutritionally complete, although that position is not an independent regulatory finding.
Can consumers file a settlement claim?
Not at this stage. The case is a proposed class action, and the documented information does not identify an approved settlement, claim form, filing deadline, payment amount, or court-defined class. Purchasing Acana or feeding it to a dog does not automatically establish eligibility for compensation.
Any future eligibility requirements would depend on how the litigation develops and on the wording of a certified class or approved settlement. Consumers who may want to follow the case can preserve records that could later help document a purchase or loss: Keeping these materials does not guarantee eligibility or compensation. It simply reduces the risk that relevant records will be unavailable if a formal claim process later opens.
- Receipts, invoices, or online order histories
- Product bags, labels, photographs, and lot numbers
- The formulas purchased and approximate feeding dates
- Veterinary records related to DCM or other cardiac concerns
- Test results, treatment bills, and written dietary recommendations
What should Acana-fed dog owners do now?
Owners should not treat the lawsuit as a veterinary diagnosis. A dog's health, dietary needs, and possible DCM risk require an individualized assessment. The FDA's current DCM guidance advises owners to consult a veterinarian before changing food.
A veterinarian may recommend input from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist when diet selection or cardiac risk is complicated. Bring the product name, ingredient list, feeding history, and any health records to that discussion. If the veterinarian recommends a diet change, retain the old packaging and record when the transition began.