10 Best Salmon Dog Foods – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks
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If you enjoy salmon, you might wonder if your dog will like it, too. After all, it offers many health benefits, with its high protein content and omega-3 fatty acids. However, it also has a lot of fat, so you may see it with other leaner proteins to make it a better option. While you may think of beef and chicken as dog food, vets often suggest a novel source for pets with allergies since these ingredients are the most common allergens for dogs.
Our guide will cover everything you need to know to make an informed choice. Boutique products often contain salmon and other less common proteins. However, they bring other issues to the table. Check out our reviews below to see which ones might be the best option for your dog.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall | Purina ONE True Instinct High-Protein |
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Best Value | Purina Beneful IncrediBites |
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Premium Choice | Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
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Best for Puppies | Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach |
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Annamaet Original Option Formula |
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The 10 Best Salmon Dog Foods
1. Purina ONE True Instinct – Best Overall
Main ingredients: | Beef, chicken meal, soybean meal, whole grain wheat |
Protein content: | 32.0% min |
Fat content: | 17.0% min |
Calories: | 399 kcal/cup |
Purina ONE True Instinct uses a combination of proteins, including salmon, to deliver an amount that far exceeds the recommended percentage. The blend makes the food highly palatable. While it doesn’t have added taurine, the ingredients are overall good. However, it does contain glucosamine, which may have some efficacy in treating pets with chronic pain. It is our pick for one of the best overall salmon dog food.
The food is USA-made, which we always appreciate. Unfortunately, there are only two sizes, and not one is small enough to try it out before you commit to a diet change. Salmon is far down the list of ingredients, but it does contribute to the diet’s nutritional value.
- Made in the USA
- Includes grains
- Good glucosamine content
- High protein
- Salmon is far down on the ingredients list
- Only two sizes
2. Purina Beneful IncrediBites – Best Value
Main ingredients: | Chicken broth, chicken, wheat gluten, liver, salmon |
Protein content: | 11.0% min |
Fat content: | 2.5.0% min |
Calories: | 86 kcal/cup |
Purina Beneful IncrediBites ticks off many of the boxes we like to see in canned products. It has a decent amount of protein and is low in fat. The salmon, with the other meats, makes a highly palatable diet. The fact that it’s USA-made seals the deal as one of the best salmon dog foods for the money, along with its affordable price. It includes grains and no problematic ingredients.
The food comes in 3-ounce cans. While that is the perfect amount for a small dog, you blow through a case if your pup is a larger breed. A better option might be to use it to flavor dry food. Although it’s a canned product, we’d like to see meat as the first ingredient instead of broth.
- Low in fat
- Includes grains
- Affordably priced
- No problematic ingredients
- Broth is the first ingredient
- Small cans only
3. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice
Main ingredients: | Salmon, barley, rice, oatmeal, canola meal |
Protein content: | 26.0% min |
Fat content: | 12.0% min |
Calories: | 373 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Dry Dog Food is a high-protein food with grains playing a prominent supporting actor role. Salmon is the first ingredient on the list, which explains the high amount of fatty acids. It also contains glucosamine and added taurine. The recipe is highly nutritious, which goes a long way toward justifying the spendy price tag.
Unfortunately, the food only comes in two sizes, with a smaller one not a part of its offerings. However, the product is a good choice if you have a dog with a sensitive stomach.
- Salmon is first on the ingredients list
- Includes grains
- High fatty acid content.
- Added taurine
- Pricey
- No small size
4. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
Main ingredients: | Salmon, barley, rice, oatmeal, canola meal |
Protein content: | 28.0% min |
Fat content: | 13.0% min |
Calories: | 417 kcal/cup |
Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food is the younger pup’s version of our premium food. Consequently, it is higher in protein and fat to meet these pets’ nutritional needs. It’s just as good for puppies as it is for adults. Interestingly, the salmon is wild-caught and not farm-raised. While some come from American waters, it’s also sourced from other countries.
Nevertheless, the food is USA-made, with salmon on top of the list of ingredients. However, the puppy version also only comes in two sizes.
- USA-made
- Salmon is the first ingredient
- High protein content
- Only two sizes
5. Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
Main ingredients: | Salmon meal, brown rice, millet, rolled oats, lamb meal |
Protein content: | 24.0% min |
Fat content: | 13.0% min |
Calories: | 406 kcal/cup |
Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food is an interesting mix of salmon and lamb as the main protein sources. While it doesn’t have corn or wheat, rolled oats and brown rice fill in to up the fiber content. The product doesn’t contain any chicken, making it a good alternative with its novel proteins. The recipe is highly palatable, with an excellent nutritional profile.
The company is family-owned, with its products manufactured in the United States. It’s worth mentioning that the manufacturer has never had a recall issued.
- USA-made
- Pea-free
- High fiber content
- No recall history
- Water is the first ingredient
6. Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Dog Food
Main ingredients: | Salmon, potatoes, potato starch, potato protein |
Protein content: | 3.5% min |
Fat content: | 3.0% min |
Calories: | 362 kcal/13-ounce can |
Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Dog Food is an excellent choice for dogs allergic to chicken. Salmon and potatoes provide the necessary protein. It also doesn’t contain any problematic ingredients. The added taurine is a welcome sight as well. Pets do well on this recipe, making it an option if your pup has a sensitive stomach.
The food only comes in 13-ounce cans. It is pricey, but it’s not unexpected with a prescription diet. On the positive side, it’s highly palatable.
- Added taurine
- No problematic ingredients
- No chicken
- Prescription required
7. Purina Beyond Dog Food
Main ingredients: | Cod, chicken, fish broth, turkey, liver, salmon |
Protein content: | 8.0% min |
Fat content: | 5.0% min |
Calories: | 407 kcal/can |
Purina Beyond Dog Food is the company’s offering in the grain-free market. The ingredient list starts impressively with its various protein sources. The high amount of fish-based items up its omega-3 fatty acids. It also accounts for its high protein percentage. The food is also value-priced, although it only comes in 13-ounce cans.
The ingredient list is limited, making it a good choice for pups with allergies, although it does contain chicken. The other red flag is sweet potatoes. It is another one of those problematic ingredients currently under review.
- High protein content
- Affordably priced
- Sweet potatoes included
- No added taurine
- Grain-free
8. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Dog Food
Main ingredients: | Beef, beef broth, chicken, liver, pork lungs, salmon |
Protein content: | 9.0% min |
Fat content: | 8.0% min |
Calories: | 445 kcal/can |
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Dog Food has limited ingredients yet contains protein from four animal-based sources. The result is a highly palatable product. While the fat is high, so is the protein. Nonetheless, it might be too rich for some pups with a high number of calories per serving. The carb and fiber are also low. It might behoove pet owners to mix it with some dry food for added bulk.
The manufacturer bills this product as grain-free, which is too bad, given the rarity of allergies to these foods. The product is reasonably priced, considering its ingredient list.
- Limited ingredients
- Highly palatable
- Grain-free
- High calorie count
9. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food
Main ingredients: | Salmon, salmon meal, potatoes, peas, dried ground potatoes |
Protein content: | 25.0% min |
Fat content: | 12.0% min |
Calories: | 446 kcal/cup |
Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food is true to its name, with a short list of ingredients. Salmon is the first and second one. Unfortunately, peas also share a top place. As you may surmise, it’s also grain-free. It has a high protein content, yet that applies to the fat, too. That makes for a significant calorie count.
The food is easily digestible, making it a good choice for animals with sensitive stomachs. However, it is pricey and costs what we’d expect to see in a prescription diet.
- Salmon is the first ingredient listed
- High protein content
- Expensive
- Grain-free
- Contains peas
10. Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food
Main ingredients: | Deboned salmon, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal |
Protein content: | 25.0% min |
Fat content: | 16.0% min |
Calories: | 396 kcal/cup |
Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food takes a different spin on grain-free by using brown rice, barley, and oatmeal instead of corn, soy, or wheat. That’s a point in its favor. Salmon is the first ingredient, which helps account for the high protein content. Unfortunately, the fat is also high, which explains the calorie count. However, the choice of whole grains might negate some of it.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer was one of several identified in the FDA’s investigation, although the case count was lower compared to other brands on the list.
- Includes grains
- Salmon is the first ingredient
- High fat content
- High calorie count
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Salmon Dog Food
Choosing the right dog food is a daunting challenge, given the broad range of available products. You should start by opting for a diet that is suitable for your pet’s life stage and health. You’ll see products labeled for puppies, adults, or all life stages. The feeding instructions on the label will provide a decent guide to how much to feed your pet and how often. Other things to consider include the following:
- Ingredients
- Protein content
- Fat content
- Labeling
Ingredients
Pet owners overwhelmingly prefer feeding their animal companions poultry for both dogs and cats. Beef comes in second for the former and fish for the latter. The evolving humanization of the pet industry has played a significant role in how manufacturers market their products. The ingredient list on the label of pet foods must note them in order by weight. Remember that whole foods have more water than commercial meals.
For example, fresh salmon cooked in dry heat contains 65.6% water. Therefore, a dried fish meal will actually have a greater nutritional value because of its concentrated form. The same applies to byproducts. They aren’t inferior ingredients. They also support the nose-to-tail movement in the food industry to use the whole animal and minimize waste.
Likewise, don’t be turned off by ingredients such as folic acid and potassium chloride. They are merely the scientific names for nutrients to ensure the diet is complete and balanced. You’ll also see ingredients meant to appeal to pet owners, such as blueberries, cranberries, and sweet potatoes. You may also notice they usually appear far down the list, meaning the foods contain small amounts of them. Their added nutritional value may be negligible.
Problematic Ingredients
We’d be remiss if we didn’t discuss some pet food ingredients that have caught the attention of the FDA and prompted an investigation. The concern rests with items such as peas, chickpeas, and lentils. Veterinarians and pet owners have reported a spike in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in breeds not genetically predisposed to the disease. DCM can ultimately cause congestive heart failure in affected pets.
The data collected from the voluntary reports revealed a common denominator among cases of DCM and animals fed foods containing these ingredients. They are often marketed as grain-free, with problematic ingredients as substitutes. The FDA has since called on the scientific community to investigate a possible link with DCM. The research has been mixed. However, we suggest you discuss these options with your vet.
Protein Content
Puppies need more protein than adults to support their growth and development. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends you should feed a puppy a diet with a minimum of 22.5% protein and adult dogs 18% daily. You’ll find this information on the product’s label. Many manufacturers exceed these guidelines. Complete proteins contain all the essential amino acids your pet needs.
Fat Content
Fat is a vital energy source, yielding 8 calories per gram when metabolized. It is also critical for other body functions, particularly if it’s unsaturated. The AAFCO recommends that puppies get a diet with a minimum of 8.5% and adults 5.5%. Again, manufacturers often exceed these figures. It’s a red flag if it goes far into the double digits. You’ll also see it reflected in the calorie count.
The companies must provide feeding instructions on their products’ labels. You’ll notice smaller portions of foods with a higher fat content. We recommend following them as written since a little more can make a big difference. It can increase your pet’s risk of obesity and its associated health problems. Likewise, you can feed your dog more if he’s especially active.
Labeling
The humanization of the pet industry comes to the forefront again when we discuss labeling. To their credit, manufacturers work with dieticians to ensure your pet’s food meets his nutritional needs. The FDA investigates any issues that come up which could harm your pup. Part of the agency’s job is to oversee what marketers put on their packaging. Remember that their task is to make their products stand out from the crowd,
Nevertheless, marketers often use language that makes dog foods that express what owners want to hear. The following words have no legal definition and are merely advertising:
- Human-grade
- Natural
- Holistic
- Premium
You’ll also see many products labeled grain-free or gluten-free. The fact remains that dogs need grains in their diet unless they are allergic to them, which is exceedingly rare. The two breeds that may benefit from these foods are Border Terriers and Irish Setters. It’s worth mentioning that scientists haven’t identified a single case of a gluten-intolerant cat.
Final Thoughts
Purina ONE True Instinct is a high-protein food with a tasty combination of meats. Purina Beneful IncrediBites is an affordable option for pet owners with small dogs. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Dry Dog Food is a high-quality protein, with salmon top on the list. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food is an excellent choice for pups with chicken allergies.
Finally, Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food is an artisanal brand that does it right with a product that doesn’t have problematic ingredients.
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