Leading Salmon Dog Food Brands for 2024: A Healthy Choice for Sensitive Dogs

There are far too many dog food brand options out in the market today.

Some are made of excellent quality ingredients and clean, natural flavor and protein sources, while others are built on cheap fillers, sub-par animal ingredients and unspecified meat meal, and artificial preservatives. Needless to say, the really great ones are mostly excessively priced.

When we talk about the best nutritional benefits from a dog’s diet, we have to zero in on the protein source of the food.

The most popular animal ingredients for dog foods are beef and chicken, which are excellent sources of essential amino acids for canines. However, these two meat ingredients have also developed food sensitivities to many dogs as a result of their prevalence. 

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST SALMON DOG FOODS

This prompted many food manufacturers to look into other less prevalent animal sources such as turkey, lamb, and salmon, which are all high-quality protein sources. 

Salmon offers other essential nutrients than just protein, which are not found in other meat sources. Fish oils and omega fatty acids are highly beneficial to a dog’s skin and coat. Salmon is a first-rate choice as a protein source for dogs. 

In this review, we present our top choices for the best chows with salmon that offer the best nutrition and health benefits based on our assessment of their ingredient list (quality and nutritional value) and on online customer reviews.  

Best Salmon Dog Food Brands

 

1. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream is our top choice for best salmon dog food because of its overall value. 

This grain-free recipe has superior ingredients, with true salmon as the first ingredient, plus salmon meal and smoked salmon, ensuring a high-quality protein source and delectable dry dog food for your furry friend.

Because of the generous amount of salmon content (including salmon meal and smoked salmon), this dry food also provides ample omega 3 fatty acids that can enhance healthy skin, joint health, and the dog’s immune system. 

It also has a great mix of plant-based natural ingredients like canola oil, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, and Yucca Schidigera extract for a balanced meal.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream packs 25% crude protein, 15% crude fat, and 3% crude fiber that canines need for an active and healthy life. It’s made in the USA, with all ingredients sourced from reliable and sustainable suppliers worldwide. 

This recipe from Taste of the Wild got the highest overall rating of all salmon dog food brands at Chewy.com with an average grade of 4.7 out of 5 stars from close to three thousand respondents.

Another big consideration for making this kibble our No. 1 recommendation for best salmon dog food is its reasonable price, which compared with other premium brands offers better value for money.

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2. Nature's Recipe Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Garbanzo Beans, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, Pea Starch

Another fine option for the best salmon dog food brand is Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe.

Also comprised of clean and natural ingredients, this kibble has real salmon as its first ingredient, plus other natural ingredients like chickpeas, peas, and pea starch for added protein and fibers. 

This dry dog food is also grain-free and with added veggies and fruits for the needed carbohydrates load. And this formula is enriched with other vital nutrients that have numerous gains for a dog’s health. 

Its guaranteed analysis shows its protein, fat, and fiber contents at 27%, 12%, and 4% respectively, which are remarkable.

Based on online reviews, this salmon dry dog food is among the most popular brands and with high ratings given by numerous customers. 

It is also one of the most affordable high-quality dog food brands available today.

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3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Menhaden Fish Meal

Renowned Connecticut-based pet food manufacturer Blue Buffalo Co. presents its Wilderness Salmon dry dog food, a grain-free diet made of mainly real deboned salmon.

Founded in 2002, Blue Buffalo dog food is prominent for its high standards in sourcing ingredients. This grain-free dog food also has essential glucosamine and a bountiful supply of omega 3 fatty acids. 

The carbs and fibers are sourced from high-quality plants and superfoods like peas, potatoes, flaxseed, alfalfa pellets, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, dried kelp, and sweet potatoes. 

Moreover, this formula prides itself on the patented Life Source Bits, a veterinarian-created blend of antioxidants and nutrients like B vitamins, L-Carnitine, taurine, riboflavin, and various amino acids to boost the canine immune system. Its 34% protein, 15% fat, and 6% fiber loads are undoubtedly imposing and sufficient for your pup’s needs. 

Better watch out for food sensitivity in your dog to this brand though due to the presence of chicken meal. This brand is clearly well-loved by many as evidenced by the high ratings given by respondents at Chewy.com.

The price tag is a little on the high side but not as stiff as most other famous premium brands.

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4. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Fish Meal, Potatoes, Lentils, Peas

With prime quality ingredients, Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat Formula is also a highly recommended choice for salmon dog food. 

Wild-caught salmon is the main ingredient in this recipe, which is among the finest salmon there is. Added proteins, carbs, and fibers are supplied by the other components like potatoes, lentils, peas, and pea flour. 

Other essential nutrients are part of the formula too through a superb array of whole-food fruits and vegetables that include dried chicory root, kale, chia seed, pumpkin, blueberries, oranges, dried kelp, coconut, spinach, carrots, and papaya.

Probiotics are also provided in this meal for optimal dog health. This dry food is suitable for all life stages and canines with food sensitivities. 

If that’s not impressive enough, check out the guaranteed analysis of this dog food formula: 25% protein, 14% fat, 5% fiber. This dry dog food is one of the most affordable brands in the premium category.

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5. Natural Balance L.I.D. Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Potatoes

Don’t overlook Natural Balance L.I.D. Salmon & Sweet Potato Formula as among the very best in salmon-based dog food.

Made with real salmon as the first ingredient and main protein source, it has sweet potatoes for the necessary digestible carbs, this kibble is developed by a team of vets and nutritionists to provide a complete and nourishing diet for dogs. 

Fortified with other natural ingredients like sunflower oil, flaxseed, potato protein, and menhaden fish oil, this grain-free salmon and sweet potato recipe has plentiful essential nutrients suited for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. Its lower fat content is also ideal for senior dogs. 

This moderate protein, low-fat salmon dry dog food received rave reviews online from over 900 respondents. This meal however is one of the most expensive on the list.

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6. American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe 

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes

Esteemed dog food manufacturer American Journey also has a premium salmon-based recipe to offer good enough to make it on our list. And many dog parents seem to agree according to online reviews for this brand. 

With salmon as the single animal protein source in this limited-ingredient formula, using real deboned salmon and salmon meal, this kibble is packed with 25% minimum crude protein, on top of 12% fat and 6% fiber.

Salmon meal is rendered salmon meat that contains a higher protein percentage. Sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas, and dried plain beet pulp supply the carbohydrates and fibers in this diet.

Rich in omega fatty acids provided by salmon, flaxseed (omega 3 fatty acids), and sunflower oil (omega 6 fatty acids), this grain-free kibble is also formulated to boost your pooch’s skin and coat health. 

This limited-ingredient product is quite popular in the middle price range.

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7. Merrick Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Whitefish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes

Surely one of the best salmon dog food formulas in the premium dry food category is Texas-based Merrick Grain-Free Real Salmon and Sweet Potato.

Proudly made in the USA, with fine-caliber ingredients sourced from trusted farms, this kibble promises to be a sure choice for your pups. 

Made with real, deboned salmon as the no. 1 ingredient, followed by salmon meal, and with additional pea protein and potato protein, this recipe is abundant in essential proteins (32% min crude protein) for a healthy and active canine lifestyle.

Salmon meal is a good quality protein source that actually contains more protein than fresh salmon.

Sweet potatoes and potatoes are the main sources of carbohydrates but other nutrient-rich natural ingredients include peas, sunflower oil, flaxseed, organic dehydrated alfalfa meal, apples, and blueberries. 

For good measure, this protein-rich formula is enhanced with extra omega fatty acids to support skin and fur health, and glucosamine and chondroitin to strengthen the hips and joints.

If there’s any drawback to this diet, it has to be the fancy price tag.

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8. Holistic Select Adult & Puppy Salmon, Anchovy & Sardine Meal Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Anchovy and Sardine Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal

Now here’s another interesting recipe that’s worth checking out. It’s a fish-filled dry dog food that both adult dogs and puppies can enjoy. 

Real salmon is the first ingredient, followed by more savory and nutrient-heavy fish – anchovy and sardine meal. This makes for a wealthy source of omega fatty acids beneficial to both adult and growing pups. 

Potatoes, peas, dried ground potatoes, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried plain beet pulp, pea fiber, flaxseed, pumpkin, cranberries, apples, and papayas make up the other ingredients for a complete and balanced diet.

This grain-free kibble is also fortified with probiotics and antioxidants for the extra health boost. With a protein-fat-fiber ratio of 29%-14%-5.5%, this fish-loaded meal is a fine choice for a regular dog diet.

With over 100 Chewy.com customer reviews, this premium dog food got a high rating from owners of canine fish fans. The price however is a bit steep for most pet parents. 

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9. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct with Real Salmon & Tuna

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Chicken Meal, Soy Flour, Whole Grain Wheat, Beef Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols

If you want good-quality salmon dog food for your beloved pets but are on a shoestring budget, don’t despair. There’s Purina ONE to the rescue. This dry dog food is the lowest-priced brand on this list and certainly affordable even for lower-income dog parents. 

Like the premium brands, the main ingredient is real salmon, which is great news. However, this recipe has other protein sources like chicken meal. Tuna is also a welcome addition to this kibble being another tasty and omega fatty acid-rich fish. 

Please note however that this dry dog food has ingredients that are common allergens in sensitive dogs like grain, corn, soy, and chicken by-products. 

It offers a high protein load of 30% minimum crude, and 17% minimum crude fat. It is quite popular among pet parents, and has received glowing reviews from buyers.

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10. Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, White Fish Meal (Pacific Whiting, Pacific Sole, Pacific Rockfish), Peas, Meal made from Menhaden Fish, Canola Oil

From the cheapest brand, we now go to the stiffest-priced salmon-based dog meal in our list of ten best salmon dog foods. Instinct Original Recipe with Real Salmon Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food completes our list of best dog food with salmon.

This kibble truly belongs to the super-premium class because of its top-quality ingredients including real freeze-dried raw ingredients to achieve optimal quality. 

Salmon, of course, is the first ingredient in this protein-heavy recipe. 

This diet actually boasts of a remarkable 72% real animal ingredients that include freeze-dried cod. Apart from these choice fishes, the formula also includes wholesome foods, like peas, carrots, apples, and cranberries for a balanced chow.

Mixed with supplemental probiotics and antioxidants, this dry dog food aims to uplift your pup’s digestive, immune, and skin functions. 

The minimum crude protein is a whopping 37.5% (plus 20% min crude fat), which is great for working and active dogs. So if you can afford this diet, your furry pal would be in for a real treat. 

Bonus: Must-Try Salmon Canned Dog Foods and Treats

1. CANIDAE PURE All Stages LID Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
2. Weruva Jammin' Salmon with Chicken & Salmon in Pumpkin Soup
3. Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon
4. FirstMate Salmon Formula
5. Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula
6. Halo Liv-a-Littles 100% Wild Salmon Freeze-Dried Treats

You may want to occasionally feed your furry friends canned dog meals with real salmon and salmon dog treats. These are great toppers to the regular kibble or little rewards to your good boys and girls. 

Real salmon in chunks or pate form are scrumptious meals that your pooch will love. Although usually more expensive than dry kibble, wet dog meals are more enticing and appetizing to most dogs.

So serving them some of the salmon wet dog food or treats will likely give them much joy. 

Here are a few suggestions:

1. CANIDAE PURE All Stages LID Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Fish Broth, Vegetable Broth, Peas, Pea Protein

Highly regarded dog food maker Canidae offers a great salmon wet dog food option in its grain-free and limited ingredients salmon and sweet potato recipe. 

Made with real salmon, and enhanced with fish broth for added nutrients and flavor, this is one wet dog food that promises to be a darling to your pooch.  

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2. Weruva Jammin' Salmon with Chicken & Salmon in Pumpkin Soup

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken (Boneless, Skinless, White Breast), Water Sufficient for Processing, Pumpkin, Salmon, Tomato, Pea

This next wet dog food may just get your pups jammin’ to a happy tune as Weruva presents its Jammin’ Salmon with Chicken and Salmon in Pumpkin Soup recipe. 

Made with real chicken breast and salmon, this grain-free wet meal in chunks and savory gravy is created gourmet-style for the absolute pleasure of your tail-wagging buddies.

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3. Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon 

Only Ingredient: Salmon

Famous for their grain-free dog food and single-ingredient recipes, Against The Grain has a unique canned pate that’s perfect for highly sensitive dogs – the Against the Grain Nothing Else Salmon formula.

Real salmon is the only ingredient in this diet so you can be sure it wouldn’t cause any allergies in your pup. 

This proudly American-made grain-free product is a surefire hit to your craving four-legged friends.

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4. FirstMate Salmon Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Boneless/Skinless Salmon, Water Sufficient For Processing, Potato, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Chloride

Wild-caught from the cold waters of Canada, this grain-free and limited-ingredient pate from family-owned dog food maker First Mate is another fine choice for a wet dog meal. 

This grain-free recipe is made of high-quality ingredients with a high minimum crude protein of 12%. It’s also an excellent choice for food-sensitive dogs.

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5. Zignature Salmon Limited Ingredient Formula

First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, Fish Broth, Salmon Meal, Peas, Chickpeas

Zignature specializes in creating hypoallergenic and low-glycemic meals that are ideal for pups that are picky eaters or with many sensitivities.

Every recipe the brand creates is free of the usual top allergens in pups, such as corn, chicken, soy, wheat, or potatoes. It also tries to make each formula short to keep it as simple as possible.

All of Zignature’s recipes have short and limited ingredients, but its wet food line has an even shorter read for remarkably clean recipes.

For this specific formula, your dog will enjoy premium and globally-sourced food as the wild Salmon that leads it comes all the way from Northern US.

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6. Halo Liv-a-Littles 100% Wild Salmon Freeze-Dried Treats

Only Ingredient: Salmon

Now here’s a wonderful salmon dog food treat for your furry buddies from Halo. Made from real, whole freeze-dried salmon, this flavorful treat is indeed a treat! 

Surely delicious and highly nutritious, with an eye-popping minimum crude protein of 77%, your meat-lovin’ pup will gobble up these tasty grain-free treats, guaranteed.  

Guide to Feeding Your Dog Salmon Dog Foods

Is Salmon Good For Dogs?

Yes, salmon is good for dogs. In fact, salmon has become a favorite main ingredient in many premium dog foods today upon recognizing the many health benefits this amazing fish has to offer our canine companions. 

Salmon is an abundant source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are highly beneficial to your dog’s immune system as it is for humans. Many fish fit for human and dog meals have this important nutrient.

Salmon is considered by many nutritionists as the best among the fishes used to obtain these natural omegas. These nutrients are also known to reduce inflammation and enhance a dog’s skin and coat health.

Salmon is also rich in proteins, which is why it is a choice ingredient for premium-quality dog foods. Another great reason to choose salmon-based dog foods is that very few dogs are known to have allergies to salmon, unlike the more common animal protein sources such as chicken and beef.

Compared with other popular fish for consumption, salmon is considerably lower in mercury. Most salmon dog food products are cleared for mercury levels that are considered harmful to our pooch.

However, it is important to check the source of the salmon as it can tell you the quality of the fish.

Lastly, salmon can be very tasty for most dogs, which is why it is often recommended as one of the best dog food for picky pups.

 

What are the Health Benefits of Salmon for Dogs?

As mentioned earlier, salmon is a healthy food source for both humans and canines. It is an excellent source of natural omega 3 fatty acids that offer numerous health gains.

Salmon is also a rich source of protein, and essential nutrients like magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12. 

Among the health benefits that can be derived from salmon are: 

Healthy Skin and Coat 

The natural oil from salmon is known to give your dog’s skin and coat a huge boost. Some vets recommend giving dogs with problematic skin salmon oil as a supplement to address this issue. It is believed to aid in producing healthier skin and shinier coats in dogs. 

Moreover, it is also suggested by some studies that omega fatty acids can help alleviate skin irritations and allergies. This is why vets recommend salmon-based dog food for food-sensitive dogs.

High in Quality Protein

Salmon is also a healthy source of great quality protein, which is the most important nutrient for healthy pups. While this fish is high in protein, it’s low in fat, making it ideal for elderly and overweight dogs. Since it’s high in protein, salmon is also wealthy in essential amino acids, which dogs need to regulate hormones and build stronger cartilage.  

Healthy Immune System

Omega 3 fatty acids can also help boost a dog’s immune system and even help prevent canine cancer, according to multiple studies.

Boost Brain Function

Salmon’s wealth of nutrients also provides health favors for the brain. It is especially good for growing puppies as well as dogs in their twilight years. The omega fatty acids are also known to aid in the brain development of fetuses in pregnant dogs.

Inflammation Reduction

Among the other notable functions of omega 3 fatty acids is their ability to help inflammation subside. This is very useful to dogs as they experience many sorts of inflammation throughout their lives.

Healthy Joints

Omega fatty acids also help in supporting joint health, especially in senior dogs and ones suffering from arthritis.

Healthy Heart

As in humans, natural omegas are also highly beneficial to a dog’s heart health. Vets commonly prescribe fish oil to boost the heart health of older dogs.

Why you should consider Salmon Dog Food?

If both you and your pooch are satisfied with the current diet, then there’s really no need to shift to a salmon-based meal.

This means that your dog food has sufficient nutrients for your pup and does not cause any health issues. Of course, to know if your dog is in tiptop shape, a regular visit to the vet is necessary.

But if you often notice health-related concerns in your dogs such as itchy or flaky skin, upset tummies or sensitive stomachs, dull coat, hot spots, vomiting, skin rashes, red eyes, ear infections, and hair loss among others, then they could have developed food allergies to some of the ingredients in their current dog food. 

There are also some dog breeds that are more prone to food allergies. 

Among the most common food ingredients that cause dog allergies are beef, dairy, chicken, eggs, wheat, soy, corn, some grains, and even lamb. 

So if this is the case in your pet household, then feeding your dog salmon food may be a great move. There are very few cases of dogs with food sensitivities to salmon.

This is why apart from the many nutritional benefits it offers; salmon-based food is a great option for food allergic dogs.

What to Look for in Salmon Dog Food?

There are hundreds of dog manufacturers throughout the world that offer salmon dog food recipes. But these products vary in the quantity and quality of salmon ingredients.

Obviously, the more premium brands use the better quality of fish as their first ingredient. The cheaper brands place salmon meal in the middle or latter portions of their ingredients deck, hence just a small component of their recipes. 

Still, better products use salmon as the only animal protein and healthy fats source, to minimize the chances of food allergies.

Some salmon food formulas blend the salmon with other animal proteins to cut down the cost. The finest dog food with salmon recipes source only wild-caught salmon, which is known to be the best type, and some use commercially-raised salmons from fisheries.

So what should you look for when choosing salmon dog food good for your tail-waggers? 

Well, the best salmon dog foods use fresh salmon or salmon meal as the first ingredient. As mentioned above, many salmon variants of dog food products include salmon as just a minor component of the recipe, with other animal meat meals as the primary ingredients.

Some brands use other animal proteins or fish meals such as whitefish meals or herring meal to complement the salmon. 

Also, as mentioned earlier, wild-caught fresh salmon, especially from North American waters, is best because it’s believed to be healthier due to its natural environment, and lower mercury load.

Aside from checking the salmon content, you also need to pay attention to the other ingredients in the formula. The animal protein source is not the only common cause for food allergies in dogs.

Some of the common fillers used to make dry kibble are also known allergens like wheat, soy, corn, and grains (although whole grain brown rice rarely causes allergies).

So if your pup has food sensitivities, it may be wise to avoid these ingredients. This is why some premium brands promote their “grain-free” recipes. Of course, to be sure, have your four-legged child checked by the veterinarian.

We also recommend giving your furry friends dog foods that are free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and GMOs. Natural, nutrient-rich, and protein-rich ingredients are undeniably healthier for both young and adult dogs.

Finally, choose a high-quality dog food that offers a complete and balanced diet, comprised of vitamins and minerals that are essential for your dog’s health.

Apart from proteins and fat, they also need a good amount of carbohydrates and fibers derived from wholesome plant-based ingredients. It’s best to find labels that are approved by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials).

It’s imperative for all pet owners to review the ingredients list of pet food brands (both wet and dry food) they wish to purchase.

Get to know also the nutrient content and guaranteed analysis to better provide a delicious dog-healthy meal that suits your pup’s specific needs and keeps him or her happy.