Is Salmon in Dog Food Good for Dogs?
For humans, salmon is a well-known, excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids which improves brain health, the immune system and also reduces joint inflammation… but do dogs benefit from salmon as well?
The short answer is yes! Salmon is a popular protein among dog owners and a commonly used ingredient in dog food. And, why wouldn’t it be? Salmon is an excellent source of protein, low in fat, rich with omega oils, vitamins, and minerals. Dogs have a highly developed sense of taste and smell and will love the fishy Umami taste of salmon.
Few dogs are allergic to fish, which makes it great meat for dogs suffering from food allergies. There are a couple of nutritional matters to watch out for with fish, however, and you should always check with your pet’s veterinarian to see if salmon is right for your dog. We dive into all this, and more for you below.
The Benefits of Dog Food with Salmon
The health benefits of including salmon in a human’s diet are widely known and accepted, but, did you know that salmon may work wonders for our pets too? Your dog might benefit from the omega fatty acids from salmon in many ways, including:
- Reducing inflammation
- Improving your dog’s skin and coat health
- Helping provide relief for certain skin allergies
- Aiding in the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Improving collagen production
- Improving brain development in fetuses of pregnant dogs and puppies
- Promoting heart health
- Lowering blood pressure
- Controlling hyperlipidemia
- Slowing cancer cell growth
- Promoting healthy weight loss in overweight dogs
- Benefitting dogs with kidney disease
- Improving cognitive function in older dogs
- Reducing joint inflammation in older dogs
What to Look Out For
While dog food with salmon can have many benefits, it can be dangerous if not prepared correctly. Make sure that you avoid the following when feeding your dog their next salmon dish.
Salmon bones can irritate the esophagus, and cause choking and damage to the digestive system. Always ensure that you are feeding your dog fresh, well-cooked, and deboned salmon.
Dogs can enjoy salmon from a can, however, it is advisable to buy canned salmon soaked in water rather than in brine or oil, as the high salt and oil content can be harmful. If feeding your pet salmon that has been cooked for humans, be sure to check that it is not cooked with garlic, onions, oil, salt, pepper, seasonings or any other foods.
As always, your dog should enjoy everything in moderation. Overfeeding your dog salmon may result in complications such as pancreatitis.
While this may sound a little daunting, don’t forget that it’s easy to feed your dog salmon safely − giving your dog all the fantastic benefits without giving you any of the worry. The safest way to feed salmon to your dog is with high quality, vet-formulated dog food with salmon, so that you can be sure they get both the nutrition and flavor they love.
Our Dog Food with Salmon
We boast a range of dry and wet salmon-rich dog food to suit your pet’s needs, whether it be our salmon and brown rice dry dog food for adult dogs, salmon and oatmeal dry dog food for puppies, or our grain free wet dog food with salmon and sweet potato for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Feeding foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids like salmon provides DHA required for proper brain and vision development in puppies. It also enables older dogs to concentrate better, especially those that are becoming a little senile in their old age! Additionally, senior dogs will enjoy the anti-inflammatory effects that omega fatty acids may have on their joints. A diet including salmon can have benefits for dogs of all ages and can help keep your dog healthy and active.
Our limited ingredient dog food is cooked and formulated to meet the nutritional levels your dog requires to remain happy and healthy. Our dog food with salmon blends are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, promoting a healthy heart, skin and a shiny coat for your dog.
The Taste Your Dog Will Love
Feed your dog’s wild side with Canidae. Packed full of natural flavor and real, goodness-first ingredients such as real salmon meal, menhaden fish meal, peas, and sweet potatoes. Our salmon recipe contains many vitamins including A and D, choline chloride, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), riboflavin supplement, natural extracts such as rosemary extract, healthy minerals like zinc from zinc proteinate, iron from ferrous sulfate, potassium and chloride from potassium chloride. These wholesome ingredients contribute to a well-rounded, well-balanced diet. Our vet-formulated pet food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles. Each bag of our pet food is fortified with HealthPLUS Solutions - probiotics for a healthy digestive system, antioxidants for immunity and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Our foods help to promote long-term health by giving dogs the complete and balanced diet they need to lead a healthy life. Our all-goodness, no-filler, and thoughtfully curated recipes contain no artificial flavors or artificial preservatives, just pure, wholesome ingredients. Check out our handy guide to see how you can gently transition your dog to a Canidae diet today, and start giving them the benefits of salmon with every bite!
