turkey and salmon dog food

5 Best Salmon Dog Foods (2024)

How to Choose the Best Salmon Dog Food

Salmon is a powerhouse protein that dogs just love. There are many reasons to consider making the switch to a food that lists salmon as one of its protein sources. It is an extremely healthy meat filled with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, critical nutrients to nourish skin and coat and provide dogs with the energy they need to maintain an active lifestyle.

Joint health is also supported by the oils found in this flavorful fish. With so many benefits to be gained from a switch to a salmon-based diet, it is not hard to see why dog foods with salmon are among the best diets around!

Salmon is also believed to act as a powerful brain booster, encouraging cognitive function through its healthy fats such as DHA and APA. This is particularly helpful for young puppies undergoing sensitive periods of growth as well as for senior dogs experiencing some brain impairment.

Many types of fish contain ample servings of amino acids, and salmon is no exception. These vital nutrients assist with such important things as ensuring proper hormone function and building cartilage.

Salmon is also extremely rich in many important vitamins and minerals required for health and wellness both in people and in dogs. These include magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

But perhaps the biggest selling point when it comes to dogs is salmons potent flavor. Dogs love it canned, grilled on the barbecue, oven-baked, or as part of their daily kibble quota.

When selecting the best salmon food for a dog, it is important to carefully read labels to understand what the diet contains. Whole salmon is the best choice for dogs, and this is particularly important for dogs suffering from allergies or skin and stomach sensitivities as any additional ingredients may incur further health problems.

When it comes to choosing the best salmon dog food, one of the biggest considerations is whether you opt for wild-caught salmon or farm-raised salmon. Wild-caught salmon is considered to be the most natural and has fewer ingredients added to it, making it a healthier choice for your pup.

Additionally, wild-caught salmon is typically sourced from sustainable fisheries and contains a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids than farm-raised salmon. On the other hand, farm-raised salmon is often raised in large tanks with more added ingredients and a lower omega-3 content.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dog Foods with Salmon

Determining the correct amount of the best salmon food to feed a dog can be difficult. The best course of action is to consult the bag of food and follow the suggested serving size as a basic guideline. This can be adjusted with the dogs weight, appetite, and activity serving to help with ascertaining the proper portion size.

Care should be taken not to overfeed the dog as weight gain can occur rapidly. Measure all food and monitor intake to prevent the dog from becoming overweight.

Dietary Requirements for Dog Foods with Salmon

Any salmon-based diet that is ideal for dogs to enjoy should contain salmon or salmon meal as its first ingredient. Whole salmon is the best choice, but meat meals offer dogs excellent quality nutrition as well. By-products are not often seen in salmon; however, should a label list them, they should be avoided.

Should a diet contain plant-based proteins such as corn, wheat, or soy, they are best left on the shelf. These are common allergens for many dogs and can neutralize some of the positive effects of salmon. Diets containing these ingredients cannot be considered among the best foods with salmon for dogs.

Carbohydrates included in a salmon-based diet should be easy for dogs to digest. Unless a dog has expressed sensitivity to grains, they may freely eat a grain-inclusive or grain-free formula without any ill effects.

The primary importance of any food included in a salmon-based diet is its fiber and antioxidant content. These items promote good digestion and a strong immune system to protect against disease.

Healthy fats are a vital element in a dogs diet. Salmon contributes a powerhouse punch of this all on its own; however, the addition of such ingredients as chicken fat, salmon, or herring oil provides additional benefits through their omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to encourage healthy skin and coat.

Any salmon-based diet that is optimal for a dogs daily food should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

Things to Look for in the Best Salmon Dog Food

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in premium salmon dog food:

• Whole meat or meat meal proteins heading up the ingredients list
• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
• Enriched with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and helpful supplements
• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
• Includes healthy fats such as chicken fat or salmon oil

Turkey, Salmon & Duck Recipe for Adult Dogs

Ingredients

de-boned turkey, potatoes, peas, whole dried egg, potato flour, pea fiber, flaxseed, apples, natural flavor, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), de-bo...ned salmon, de-boned duck, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), suncured alfalfa, tomato, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, pomegranate, papayas, lentils, broccoli, cottage cheese, salt, dried chicory root, choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, beta-carotene, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate), Taurine, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, DL-methionine, L-lysine, potassium chloride, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, dried rosemary

de-boned turkey, potatoes, peas, whole dried egg, potato flour, pea fiber, flaxseed, apples, natural flavor, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), de-boned salmon, de-boned duck, calcium carbonate, monocalcium phosphate, coconut oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), suncured alfalfa, tomato, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, pomegranate, papayas, lentils, broccoli, cottage cheese, salt, dried chicory root, choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (a source of vitamin C), niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, beta-carotene, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate), Taurine, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, DL-methionine, L-lysine, potassium chloride, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, dried rosemary

Ingredients:Fresh turkey, turkey meal, brown rice, dehulled barley, oatmeal, potato, salmon meal, chicken fat(preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of vitamin E), flaxseed, tomato fibre, natural flavour, whole dried egg, salmon oil, rice bran, alfalfa, sweet potato, spinach, broccoli, apple, blueberries, pears, bananas, lecithin, chicory root extract, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium chloride, salt, glucosamine hydrochloride, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, ), chondroitin sulfate, taurine, DL-methionine, L-carnitine, yucca schidigera extract, rosemary, garlic, cinnamon, paprika, capsicum, chamomile, turmeric, dandelion.

• Omega-6 fatty acids 1.2%min

• Omega-3 fatty acids .60%min

• Calorie Content: 3547 kcal per kg (378 kcal per cup)

Ingredients:Fresh turkey, turkey meal, brown rice, dehulled barley, oatmeal, salmon meal, potato, chicken fat ( preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of vitamin E), whole dried egg, flaxseed, natural flavour, rice bran, tomato fibre, sweet potato, alfalfa, spinach, broccoli, apple, blueberries, pears, bananas, lecithin, potassium chloride, chicory root extract, salt, glucosamine hydrochloride, choline chloride, calcium carbonate, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, chondroitin sulfate, taurine, DL-methionine, L-carnitine, yucca schidigera extract, rosemary, garlic, cinnamon, paprika, capsicum, chamomile, turmeric, dandelion.

• Omega-6 fatty acids 2.8%min

• Omega-3 fatty acids .45%min

• Calorie Content: 3806 kcal per kg (405 kcal per cup)

Balanced Blends Turkey & Salmon Recipe

WHAT'S INSIDE

Turkey, salmon, turkey meal, lentils, peas, salmon meal, pea flour, sunflower oil, dehydrated alfalfa meal, chickpeas, flax seed, natural flavor, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, brewers dried yeast, salt, DL methionine, salmon oil (preserved with tocopherols), choline chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, manganese proteinate), taurine, vitamins (vitamin A acetate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), lactic acid, L-ascorbyl-2-polyposphate, yucca shidigera extract, L-carnitine (preserved with tocopherols, preserved with citric acid, rosemary extract, yeast culture, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried Bacillus licheniformis fermentation product, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, and dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

• CRUDE PROTEIN30% (min)
• CRUDE FAT18% (min)
• CRUDE FIBER4% (max)
• MOISTURE10% (max)
• OMEGA-6 FATTY ACIDS2% (min)
• OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS1% (min)
• TOTAL MICROORGANISMS100 mill. CFU/lb (min)
• CALORIES3443 kcal/kg or 377 kcal/cup (metabolizable energy)

Canadian Naturals

Canadian Naturals Information

Canadian Naturals is a pet food brand based in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. The brand has been operating for over 30 years, and claims to produce food using the highest quality ingredients.

While Canadian Naturals state that their food is produced in Canada, it is not entirely clear where their production facility is and if it is owned or shared by any other pet food companies.

Canadian Naturals do not feature on the shelves of the large pet food stores in Canada like PetSmart but are sold at some of the smaller chains like Pet Planet, Global Pet Foods, and Petland.

Despite their use of smaller pet food stores, you can purchase Canadian Naturals dog food online from some of the larger pet food websites such as HomesAlive, PetMax, and Petland.

Canadian Naturals Product Range

Dog Food

Canadian Naturals has a moderately sized product range when compared to other brands. This product range only has dry dog food recipes with no wet/canned options available.

However, there is variety within this dry dog food range, including grain-free recipes, grain-inclusive recipes, limited ingredient recipes, and some recipes for large and small breed dogs.

Canadian Naturals does not produce any age-specific dog food such as those for puppies or seniors, but their foods are suitable for all life stages.

Cat Food

Canadian Naturals has a very small range of cat food products compared to their dog food range. This range only contains dry cat food recipes but with no wet or canned options available.

There are two dry cat food recipes in total within Canadian Naturals cat food range, one of which is grain-free and the other grain-inclusive.

Canadian Naturals Nutrition

Dog Food

The nutrition offered by Canadian Naturals dog food recipes is quite consistent and would be classed as average when compared to other dog food brands.

This average rating is as their recipes tend to provide moderate protein and fat proportions and quite large proportions of carbohydrates. Many dogs would thrive on a diet with a higher proportion of protein and fat, especially from animal sources.

Below is an example of the nutrition provided by a Canadian Naturals dry dog food recipe.

If you are interested in learning more about Canine Nutrition, we highly recommend checking out our Dog Food Guide.

Cat Food

While Canadian Naturals cat food recipes nutrition is better than their dog food recipes, it would still be classed as average when compared to other brands.

This is as cats require a higher proportion of protein and fat in their diet than dogs do. This higher requirement is as cats are obligate carnivores and do not do excel on a diet high in plant-based ingredients.

If you are interested in learning more about cat nutrition and the ideal diet for felines, read our Cat Food Guide.

Canadian Naturals Ingredients

High-Quality Meat & Fish Ingredients

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Duck
• Lamb
• Pork
• Venison
• Salmon
• Whitefish

Canadian Naturals uses a moderate range of meat and fish ingredients in its recipes. This range includes many high-quality ingredients, some of which are industry favorites like Chicken, Turkey, and Salmon.

These ingredients are so popular among manufacturers as they are affordable, easy to source, and highly nutritious.

In particular, we are strong supporters of Salmons use in pet food thanks to the high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids it contains.

However, Canadian Naturals uses some less common meat and fish ingredients like Pork and Venison.

These are rarely seen in pet food and are sometimes used in recipes for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. You can learn more about this in the below articles.

Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods Guide

Best Dog Foods With Venison

Other Notable Ingredients

Canadian Naturals uses two of the most popular legume ingredients in its recipes, Peas, and Lentils. These legume ingredients provide carbohydrates, fiber, and a high proportion of protein for a plant-based ingredient.

The reason that legumes are so popular is that they are relatively easy to source and cost-effective making them the perfect plant-based ingredients for grain-free pet food.

However, there are concerns between the high use of legumes by some dog food brands and a rise in Canine Heart Disease. We recommend you check out this article if you want to learn more.

Canadian Naturals uses a large range of grain ingredients in its recipes. Examples of these grain ingredients include Barley, Oats Groats, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Millet, and Rye.

Grain ingredients are dense sources of carbohydrates but also provide some fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Often, grain ingredients are controversial additions, with many dog owners disagreeing with their use. However, there are others who are strong supporters of grain ingredients, especially those that feed brands like Purina or Hills.

Some of the grains used by Canadian Naturals are preferred over others by some as they are seen as less processed.

You can learn more about some of these grains in the below articles.

Barley In Dog Food

Millet In Dog Food

Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes are starch ingredients and feature in a select number of Canadian Natural recipes.

Starch ingredients such as these are incredibly dense sources of carbohydrates, which means that their portion size should be controlled.

Chicken Fat is another industry favorite and is used in pet food to improve its flavor and boost the levels of animal-based fat present.

Chicken Fat is chosen over alternatives thanks to its low cost and easy availability.

You can read more about Chicken Fat in our article, Chicken Fat In Dog Food.

Canola Oil is a vegetable oil used by some dog food brands to boost fat levels in a recipe and improve flavor.

Canola Oil is also commonly found in processed food for human consumption.

Read more about Canola Oil in Canola Oil In Dog Food.

Tomato Pomace is added to pet food recipes to provide soluble fiber. Soluble fiber can be crucial for some dogs to ensure they have regular digestion and stools.

Outside of this fiber content, Tomato Pomace provides very little nutrition.

You can learn more about Tomato Pomace in our article, Tomato Pomace, as a Pet Food Ingredient?.

Alfalfa is believed to provide several health benefits to humans and dogs. It achieves this because of the beneficial vitamins and minerals it contains. However, many of these benefits are unproven.

Learn more in Alfalfa In Dog Food.

Brewers Yeast is another ingredient that is believed to provide health benefits to dogs. It is a leftover ingredient from the brewing industry that would otherwise go to waste.

Read more in our article Brewers Yeast In Dog Food.

Flaxseed is one of the best plant-based sources of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which is why it is so commonly found in dog food recipes.

These fatty acids are believed to provide several health benefits, including an improvement in the health of a dogs skin and coat.

You can learn more about Flaxseed and its benefits in Flaxseed In Dog Food.

Canadian Naturals Animal Testing

At this time, we have no information on whether Canadian Naturals participates in invasive or laboratory testing of animals.

Many pet food brands avoid sharing details about how they test their foods because of fear of backlash from their customers.

We strongly believe that laboratory or invasive testing of animals is a cruel and outdated practice. We hope that in the future, it will be eliminated.

Canadian Naturals Recalls

Based on our research (FDA, AVMA, DogFoodAdvisor), Canadian Naturals has not undergone any recalls for its products and is, therefore, a recall-free brand.

Given that Canadian Naturals has been in operation for over thirty years, this is extremely impressive and shows that they take quality control and safety seriously.

We hope that Canadian Naturals can continue this recall-free record going forwards.

Regardless, we always ask that pet owners are vigilant of any future recalls of Canadian Naturals or any other pet food brand.

Best of Canadian Naturals

Grain Free Fresh Whitefish Recipe Review

The above recipe is one of Canadian Naturals grain-free recipes. It focuses on Whitefish, which is a popular ingredient in dog food.

It is used by many to aid dogs who have an easily upset stomach, but it also provides excellent nutrition, high in protein and fat.

Given that it is a grain-free recipe, it uses a mix of Peas and Potatoes to provide carbohydrates and fiber. This mix is typical of the industry.

Lastly, there is a small mix of additional ingredients like Alfalfa and Flaxseed, which present to provide minor nutrition in the form of Vitamins, Minerals, and the Omega Fatty Acids.

Grain Free Turkey & Salmon Recipe Review

Out of the two cat food recipes that Canadian Naturals offers, the above grain-free recipe is the clear winner.

It uses a large portion of Turkey at its center, which is split between Turkey and Turkey Meal.

Meat Meals such as Turkey Meal should not be featured and are simply meat that has had its moisture removed. The portion of Salmon Meal is noticeably smaller than the Turkey but still of a recognizable size.

The recipe then uses the same mix found in Canadian Naturals grain-free dog food recipes of Peas and Potatoes. This mix once again provides carbohydrates and fiber.

Canadian Naturals Featured Articles

At this time, Canadian Naturals has not been featured in any of our articles.

Canadian Naturals Full Product Range

Dog Food

Dry Dog Food

Grain Free Red Meat Recipe

Grain Free Fresh Whitefish Recipe

Grain Free Large Breed Red Meat Recipe

Grain Free Roasted Chicken Recipe

Value Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe

Value Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

Value Pork & Brown Rice Recipe

Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Potato & Duck Formula

Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Sweet Potato & Venison Formula

Grain Free Limited Ingredient Diet Sweet Potato & Salmon Formula

Grain Free Limited Ingredient Pork & Squash Formula

Original Turkey & Salmon Formula

Original Small Bites Turkey & Salmon Formula

Original Large Breed Turkey & Salmon Formula

Original Senior Turkey & Salmon Formula

Cat Food

Dry Cat Food

Grain Free Turkey & Salmon Recipe

Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe