When it comes to pet nutrition, the ingredients that go into our furry friends’ food are the most important thing. One such ingredient that often sparks curiosity is “meat meal. This word might make you wonder where it came from, what it’s made of, and why it ends up in our dogs’ food. Â.
The war against meat meals in pet food has been raging in recent years. Pet owners have become wary of ingredients ending in the word âmealâ. However, what exactly is a meal ingredient, and is it safe or not to feed dogs? To understand the importance of meat meal in dog food, it’s important to learn about its role, how it’s made, and how it helps our beloved dogs’ health.
Salmon meal is a common ingredient found in many commercial dog foods. But what exactly is salmon meal, and is it a healthy choice for your dog? This article will cover everything you need to know about salmon meal in dog food.
We’ll discuss
- What is salmon meal?
- How is salmon meal made?
- Nutritional benefits of salmon meal
- Potential drawbacks of salmon meal
- How much salmon meal is healthy for dogs
- What to look for in salmon meal dog food
- Reviews of top salmon meal dog foods
The first thing we need to know is what salmon meal is and how it is made.
What is Salmon Meal?
Salmon meal is a concentrated protein source made from salmon flesh and bones. The salmon is first cooked to remove moisture, then ground up to create a protein-packed powdered meal.
Salmon meal contains much higher levels of protein than fresh salmon because the moisture has been removed. Fresh salmon is about 70% water After the cooking and grinding process, salmon meal contains only 5-10% moisture.
This condenses the nutritional value of the salmon into a more concentrated protein source for dog food recipes. Salmon meal provides omega fatty acids and micronutrients along with quality protein.
How Salmon Meal is Made
Commercial pet food manufacturers obtain salmon meal from fish rendering facilities. Here is the basic process:
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Whole salmon, including bones/heads, are cooked.
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The salmon flesh, organs, and bones are ground and pressed to remove most of the moisture.
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What remains after cooking and pressing is salmon meal powder.
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The meal may be supplemented with additional fatty acids, vitamins, or minerals destroyed in processing.
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Ethoxyquin or other preservatives are sometimes added to prevent rancidity.
The temperatures and pressures used in the rendering process kill any bacteria, parasites, or contaminants in the salmon. This makes salmon meal safe for pets to eat.
Nutritional Benefits of Salmon Meal
So why is salmon meal used in dog food? Here are some of the key benefits:
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High in protein – Salmon meal contains around 60-70% protein, providing amino acids dogs need.
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Omega fatty acids – Salmon is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3s from fish oils. These support skin, coat, joint, heart, and brain health.
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Micronutrients – Salmon contains vitamins (B12, D) and minerals like selenium. Meal retains some of these after processing.
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Palatability – Many dogs love the taste of salmon. It makes food more appetizing.
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Sustainable – Salmon meal makes use of parts of the fish that may otherwise go to waste.
For healthy dogs, the nutritional profile of salmon meal makes it a beneficial ingredient. It boosts the protein content and adds healthy fats.
Potential Drawbacks of Salmon Meal
However, there are a few things to be aware of with salmon meal:
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Quality variance – Meal quality depends on the salmon source and processing methods.
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Preservatives – Ethoxyquin or BHA may be used to prevent rancidity. Some pet owners avoid these.
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Allergies – Dogs with salmon allergies should avoid salmon meal.
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Mercury risks – Salmon contains mercury that may concentrate in meal. Levels are usually low but something to note.
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Digestibility – Extensive processing may make meal slightly less digestible for some dogs.
While very digestible and beneficial for most dogs, it’s ideal to choose high-quality salmon meal without harsh chemical preservatives.
How Much Salmon Meal is Healthy in Dog Food?
Salmon meal is dense in protein, so it typically makes up 5-15% of dry dog food recipes. For example:
- In a 30 lb bag of dog food, salmon meal may provide 1.5-4.5 lbs of the total protein.
This is a healthy amount for most dogs. Higher quantities may lead to excess mercury exposure, so it’s recommended to choose dog foods that use salmon meal as a mix-in rather than the sole protein source.
Ideally salmon meal should not be the #1 ingredient. Look for it supplemented by other sound protein ingredients like turkey, chicken, or lamb meals.
What to Look for in Salmon Meal Dog Food
To choose a high quality salmon meal dog food, here are some things to look for:
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Specific meal source – “Salmon meal” not just “fish meal”.
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Meal not listed first – Ideally the #1 ingredient is a different protein meal.
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Whole salmon – Some brands add fresh salmon too for omega oils.
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Natural preservatives – Rosemary extract, vitamin E instead of BHA or ethoxyquin.
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Limited ingredients – Avoid fillers, by-products, artificial colors/flavors.
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Reputable brand – From a manufacturer with high standards for quality.
Avoid any salmon meals that seem vague, cheaply sourced, or loaded with artificial additives.
Top Salmon Meal Dog Foods
Here are some top-rated dog foods featuring high quality salmon meal:
American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Salmon meal #2 ingredient after deboned salmon
- Grain-free, no corn/wheat/soy
- Dried fermentation products for probiotic digestion
Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Recipe
- Salmon meal #3 ingredient
- Added smoked salmon for omega oils
- Fruits and veggies like sweet potatoes and blueberries
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch
- #1 ingredient is deboned salmon
- Salmon meal is #2
- Contains raw pieces for natural enzymes
Wellness CORE Original Turkey & Salmon Meal
- Salmon meal #4 ingredient
- Taurine, glucosamine, and probiotics
- No by-products, fillers, or artificial additives
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato
- Salmon meal #2 after deboned salmon
- Non-GMO fruits and veggies
- Calcium, glucosamine, and vitamins
These recipes provide all the benefits of salmon meal while limiting any potential downsides. They offer complete balanced nutrition tailored for dogs.
The Bottom Line
Salmon meal can be an excellent source of protein, fatty acids, and micronutrients for dogs. When sourced and processed responsibly, salmon meal provides great nutritional value. However, it’s ideal when used in moderation as part of a varied diet.
Look for high-quality salmon meal from reputable brands without a lot of artificial additives. Avoid generic “fish meal” and products where salmon meal is the predominant ingredient.
When used properly in commercial dog food, salmon meal can provide safe, nutritious benefits for your dog. It takes advantage of more fish components compared to only including fresh salmon. That makes salmon meal a favorable ingredient for both sustainability and dog health.
Myths and facts about meat meals
Myth: All meat meals are bad.
Fact: Some meat meals contain high quality meat and protein.
Many types of meat meals have meat that is just as high quality and easy to digest as whole meat products, despite what most people think. This is because some meat meals are just that, whole meat. Instead it has just been cooked and ground into a form that can be utilized in dry food. Your dog will be very healthy on meat meals made with whole meat, which are a great source of protein. Look for ingredients like salmon meal, chicken meal, turkey meal, etc. which use whole meat products and do not involve a multi-meat mix or by-products. Muscle and meat tissue from different parts of the body, like breast and thigh meat, are often found in whole meat meals. This means that your dog is getting the health benefits of both types of meat.
Myth: All meat meals are created equal.
Fact: There are some types of meat meals you want to avoid.
Like everything in life, nutrition is about balance. When it comes to meat meals, there are both good and bad ones. As stated above, whole meat meals are a nutritious form of protein for your dog. However, there are some low quality meat meals to look out for. Ingredients like meat and bone meal and by-product meal are not as digestible for dogs. When companies use these ingredients, they save money because they are often made from leftover parts from plants that render human meat. Dogs can’t digest parts like cartilage, bone, viscera, and feathers as well, so they don’t absorb as many important nutrients, like protein.
A study by scientists Bednar et al. helped solve some of the guess work for us when it comes to the quality of meat meals. Their study examined the digestibility of soybean meal, poultry meal, poultry byâproduct meal, and beef and bone meal in dogs. They found that poultry meal was the clear winner when it came to total tract digestibility, organic matter digestibility and crude protein digestibility. Fecal output was also lower for those dogs fed poultry meal compared to soybean meal.
Amino Acids and Essential Nutrients
Meat meal offers a comprehensive amino acid profile that dogs require for various physiological processes. Amino acids are the fundamental components of proteins and are necessary for functions such as immune system support, tissue repair, and hormone production. Meat meal derived from different animal sources can provide a variety of amino acids, ensuring that dogs receive a well-rounded array of nutrients to support their unique needs.
Why They Confuse You About What to Feed your Pet
FAQ
Is salmon meal good in dog food?
What’s the difference between salmon and salmon meal?
What is in salmon meal?
What does meal mean in dog food?
Is salmon meal good for dogs?
When compared to whole fish salmon, salmon meal boasts a higher content of amino acids and fatty acids, making it a valuable addition to your canine companion’s meal plan. Moreover, salmon meal is usually sourced from wild-caught fish rather than farm-raised varieties, ensuring better quality and nutritional value.
What are the benefits of eating cooked salmon for dinner daily?
The daily consumption of salmon can provide proteins of high biological value, healthy fats, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, selenium, and vitamins of groups B, E, and D.
Which dog food brands include salmon meal?
Some popular examples of dog food brands that regularly include Salmon Meal as an ingredient in their recipes include Zignature, Taste of the Wild, Wellness, Purina Pro Plan, Blue Buffalo, Canidae, Merrick, Earthborn Holistic, Go!, Nulo, and Instinct.
Is salmon a dry dog food?
As you can see, Salmon sits in the middle of the pack when compared to other meat and fish ingredients, with approximately 67% moisture. This high moisture content means that once this meat is cooked during the production process of dry dog food recipes, most of this moisture is lost, leaving a relatively small portion of meat remaining.