What is Salmon Meal in Dog Food? A Complete Guide

Salmon meal is a common ingredient found in many commercial dog foods today. But what exactly is salmon meal and is it a healthy addition to your dog’s diet? This complete guide will explain everything you need to know about salmon meal for dogs.

What is Salmon Meal?

Salmon meal is a protein-rich powder made from salmon flesh and skin. To create salmon meal, whole salmon is first cooked to remove moisture The salmon is then ground up into a meal containing about 7-10% moisture versus 70% in whole salmon

This cooking and drying process concentrates the natural proteins, vitamins and minerals found in salmon. The result is a nutritious fish meal ingredient ideal for supplementing dog food with high-quality animal protein.

How is Salmon Meal Made?

The production process for salmon meal aims to remove moisture while retaining as much nutritional content as possible. Here are the basic steps:

• Whole salmon, including bones, are ground and cooked at 212°F to remove moisture. Cooking helps kill bacteria, parasites and other contaminants.

• The salmon mixture is pressed to remove excess liquid and fat. More than 70% of the water content is removed.

• The pressed salmon solids are then dried at around 176°F until only 5-7% moisture remains.

• Once dried, the solid “cake” is ground again into a fine salmon meal powder.

• Natural preservatives like mixed tocopherols may be mixed in to prevent spoilage.

The result is a concentrated, shelf-stable salmon meal powder that can be added to dog food or used in treats and supplements. Compared to fresh salmon, salmon meal contains much higher protein levels per ounce.

Nutritional Benefits of Salmon Meal

So why is salmon meal so popular in high-quality dog foods? Here are some of the key nutritional benefits it provides:

• Excellent Source of Protein: Salmon meal contains around 62-70% protein, giving it one of the highest protein contents of any pet food ingredient. This protein is highly digestible and provides essential amino acids.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Salmon is naturally high in beneficial omega-3s like EPA and DHA. These support skin/coat health and can reduce inflammation. Salmon meal retains much of these healthy fats.

• Vitamin B12: Salmon contains vitamin B12 needed for proper nerve function and energy metabolism. Dogs require more B12 than humans, so salmon meal helps meet increased needs.

• Other Vitamins/Minerals: Salmon meal provides vitamins like A, D, E and K as well as minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus. All support overall health.

Thanks to this stellar nutritional profile, salmon meal can be a powerhouse addition to commercial and homemade dog foods.

Benefits of Salmon Meal vs. Fresh Salmon

Why is salmon meal sometimes preferred over fresh salmon in commercial dog food? Here are a few of the benefits meal provides versus fresh fish:

• Higher Protein Concentration: As discussed above, salmon meal contains around 70% protein versus just 20% in whole salmon. This makes meal more protein-dense.

• Lower Fat Content: The fat rendered during processing leaves salmon meal with lower, healthier fat levels (under 10% vs. 13% in salmon).

• Neutral Taste/Smell: Fresh salmon has a strong fishy odor and flavor some dogs dislike. Salmon meal has a neutral scent/flavor dogs accept more easily.

• Longer Shelf Life: The low moisture content allows salmon meal to be bagged and stored without spoilage concerns. Fresh salmon spoils rapidly.

• Lower Contaminant Risk: Cooking and pressing helps remove mercury, PCBs and other potential contaminants found in fresh salmon.

• More Nutrient Control: Meal processing allows fat content, protein quality, ash levels and more to be precisely controlled. Nutrients in fresh foods can’t be fine-tuned as easily.

So while fresh salmon can be an excellent diet addition, the benefits of concentrated protein, controlled nutrition and reduced contaminants makes salmon meal an ideal option for commercial dog foods.

Potential Drawbacks of Salmon Meal

Salmon meal provides major nutritional benefits, but there are a few potential drawbacks to consider as well:

• Allergies: Dogs with fish or salmon allergies may react to salmon meal. Look for a fish-free food in these cases.

• Quality Variability: Meal quality depends heavily on manufacturing processes. Inferior meals may contain heterogenetic proteins of lower quality.

• Hexane Extraction: Some manufacturers use the solvent hexane to extract extra oil and fat. This is controversial.

• Rancidity: Poorly preserved meal with inadequate antioxidants can quickly become rancid. Look for mixed tocopherols or other natural preservatives.

While high-quality salmon meal avoids these downsides, it’s important to source from manufacturers using proper processes and quality control. Checking dog food reviews can help identify products using superior meals.

What to Look for in Salmon Meal Dog Food

Not all “salmon meal” is equal when it comes to nutrition and quality. Here are a few things to look for when evaluating dog foods containing salmon meal:

• Specific “Salmon” Source: The ingredient list should specify “salmon meal” not just generic “fish meal.” This indicates pure salmon versus a mix of fish.

• First Ingredient: A high-quality meal should ideally be the first listed ingredient, indicating it makes up most of the protein content.

• Single Species: Avoid any meal including the term “et al” as this signals a mix of fish species, rather than pure salmon meal.

• Natural Preservatives: Look for preservatives like mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) rather than “ethoxyquin.” Avoid BHA, BHT and propyl gallate.

• No Hexane Extraction: Some brands explicitly state their meal is “Hexane-free.” Otherwise, look for allergen and chemical-free claims.

• AAFCO Standards: Meals that adhere to Association of American Feed Control Officials standards must meet minimum protein, fat and nutrient requirements.

By reading labels carefully and understanding how salmon meal is made, you can ensure your dog reaps the full nutritional rewards.

How Much Salmon Meal to Feed Your Dog

Since nutrient requirements vary greatly by a dog’s size and activity level, there is no universal amount of salmon meal to feed. Here are some general salmon meal feeding guidelines:

• Active Dogs: More active dogs do well with salmon meal making up 20-40% of total diet protein. Especially beneficial for high energy sporting/working breeds.

• Less Active Dogs: For less active adult dogs, 10-20% of total protein from salmon meal is often adequate to provide omega-3s and other nutrients.

• Puppies: Growing puppies may benefit from diets with around 25-30% or more protein from salmon meal sources. Provides amino acids for development.

• Seniors: Avoid excessive protein (over 20-25% salmon meal) for older, less active dogs. Too much can tax kidneys.

When in doubt, start with amounts recommended on your dog food bag or consult your veterinarian. They can suggest optimal ratios tailored to your dog’s needs.

Top Salmon Meal Dog Food Brands

If you’re looking for a quality salmon meal-based dog food, some top-rated brands to consider include:

Acana Pacifica Dog Food

Acana Pacifica features salmon meal as its primary protein source. It contains 60% salmon ingredients with 40% coming directly from salmon meal. The diet is grain-free and rich in omega-3s but lower in fat thanks to meal’s concentrated protein.

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

This salmon and sweet potato recipe from American Journey uses salmon meal as its first ingredient. Enhanced with vitamins, antioxidants and dried fermentation products, it provides 33% protein including omega-3s from salmon. Great for all life stages.

BLUE Wilderness High Protein Salmon Recipe

BLUE Wilderness Salmon meal formula derives its first two ingredients from salmon meal. The fish proteins are combined with wholesome carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and cranberries. It delivers 41% crude protein overall, perfect for active pups.

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Canine Formula

Real salmon meal is the very first item on the ingredients list for this fish-based Taste of the Wild recipe. It combines salmon proteins with digestible grains like sorghum, barley and brown rice. Plus fruits and veggies deliver antioxidants.

Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch

Merrick infuses this recipe with freeze-dried raw salmon pieces as well as deboned salmon meal. Together they provide a whopping 38% crude protein. Healthy grains like quinoa and chickpeas make up the limited 8% carbs.

Homemade Salmon Meal Recipe

Want to make your own homemade salmon meal? Here is a simple recipe to try:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. raw salmon filets, chopped
• 1 cup potato flour (for drying)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a food processor, blend salmon until a thick paste forms, about 2 minutes.
3. Mix in potato flour until fully combined. Spread paste 1⁄4 inch thick on baking sheet.
4. Bake for 6-8 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until completely dried.
5. Process dried salmon in a blender or food processor until a fine powder.
6. Use powder as a protein supplement by mixing 2-3 tablespoons per day into your dog’s meals.

Store homemade salmon meal in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for later use. Start with small amounts to ensure tolerance.

Is Salmon Meal Right for Your Dog?

Now that you understand exactly what salmon meal is and how it’s produced, is it a good choice for your dog? The high protein levels, omega-3s and dense nutrition it provides can make salmon meal an excellent addition for most pups. However, it’s still important to consider your individual dog’s needs:

• Dogs with salmon or fish allergies should avoid salmon meal. Try a lamb, bison or turkey-based diet instead.

• Very inactive senior dogs may do better with lower protein levels to avoid kidney stress.

• Look for hexane-free salmon meal and natural antioxidants to provide the highest quality and safety.

• When changing foods, transition gradually over 5-7 days to allow digestive adjustment.

Focus on high-quality salmon meal sources and feed appropriate amounts based on your dog’s life stage and activity needs. Doing so lets your dog benefit from the unique nutritional benefits salmon meal can provide!

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about salmon meal for dogs? Here are answers to some common queries:

What percentage of salmon meal is recommended in dog food?

For active dogs, 25-40% salmon meal as a percentage of total protein is ideal. More sedentary dogs do well with 10-20% of protein from salmon meal.

Is salmon meal high in mercury?

Cooking and pressing during processing helps remove up to 90% of the mercury found in salmon. Levels in meal are very low, making toxicity risks negligible.

Can dogs be allergic to salmon meal?

Yes, dogs with fish or salmon allergies should not eat salmon meal. Look for a hydrolyzed protein or novel protein like bison as alternate options.

Is salmon meal better than fresh salmon?

Salmon meal provides more concentrated protein and is easier to digest. But fresh salmon provides moisture and different textural qualities. Both can be healthy options.

Does salmon meal go bad?

Salmon meal lasts 12-18 months in the bag when properly preserved. Check for rancid smells or signs of moisture/mold. Discard meal if expired or spoiled.

The bottom line is salmon meal can provide nutritional power to match the fresh fish itself. When sourced and processed properly, this high-protein fish meal can be a tasty and nutritious addition. So for most dogs, salmon meal does indeed earn its popular place in commercial dog food recipes today.