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10 Best Salmon Dog Foods – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Chris Dinesen Rogers

By Chris Dinesen Rogers

Cute Samoyed dog eating from bowl at home

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.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Purina ONE True Instinct High-Protein Purina ONE True Instinct High-Protein
  • Includes grains
  • Good glucosamine content
  • High protein
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Purina Beneful IncrediBites Purina Beneful IncrediBites
  • Low in fat Includes grains
  • Affordably priced
  • No problematic ingredients
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach
  • Salmon is first on the ingredients list
  • High fatty acid content.
  • Added taurine
  • Best for Puppies
    Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach
  • USA-made
  • Salmon is the first ingredient
  • High protein content
  • Annamaet Original Option Formula Annamaet Original Option Formula
  • Pea-free
  • High fiber content
  • No recall history
  • The 10 Best Salmon Dog Foods

    1. Purina ONE True Instinct – Best Overall

    Purina ONE Natural High Protein True Instinct with Real Beef & Salmon Dry Dog Food

    Check Price on Chewy
    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.

    Pros
    • Made in the USA
    • Includes grains
    • Good glucosamine content
    • High protein
    Cons
    • Salmon is far down on the ingredients list
    • Only two sizes

    2. Purina Beneful IncrediBites – Best Value

    PURINA BENEFUL IncrediBites with Salmon

    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.

    Pros
    • Low in fat
    • Includes grains
    • Affordably priced
    • No problematic ingredients
    Cons
    • Broth is the first ingredient
    • Small cans only

    3. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food – Premium Choice

    PURINA PRO PLAN Sensitive Skin & Stomach

    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.

    Pros
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • No small size

    4. Purina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies

    Purina Pro Plan Development Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Large Breed Dry Puppy Food

    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.

    Pros
    • USA-made
    • Salmon is the first ingredient
    • High protein content
    Cons
    • Only two sizes

    5. Annamaet Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice

    ANNAMAET Original Option Formula Dry Dog Food

    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.

    Pros
    • USA-made
    • Pea-free
    • High fiber content
    • No recall history
    Cons
    • Water is the first ingredient

    6. Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Dog Food

    Hill's Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities

    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.

    Pros
    • Added taurine
    • No problematic ingredients
    • No chicken
    Cons
    • Prescription required

    7. Purina Beyond Dog Food

    PURINA BEYOND Alaskan Cod, Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free

    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.

    Pros
    • High protein content
    • Affordably priced
    Cons
    • Sweet potatoes included
    • No added taurine
    • Grain-free

    8. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Dog Food

    Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Tender Cuts

    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.

    Pros
    • Limited ingredients
    • Highly palatable
    Cons
    • Grain-free
    • High calorie count

    9. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Salmon & Potato Formula Dry Dog Food

    Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free 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.

    Pros
    • Salmon is the first ingredient listed
    • High protein content
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Grain-free
    • Contains peas

    10. Merrick Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food

    Merrick Healthy Grains Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe With Ancient 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.

    Pros
    • Includes grains
    • Salmon is the first ingredient
    Cons
    • High fat content
    • High calorie count

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    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.

    Black-and-white-Havanese-Dog-Eating-Bowl-Kibble-Food
    Image Credit: Boryana Manzurova, Shutterstock

    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

    woman buying dog food in pet store
    Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock

    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.

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    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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    Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

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