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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Herring Meal

Concentrated fish protein, uncertain coat and joint claims

Herring meal is whole herring or herring trimmings cooked, pressed and dried into a protein concentrate. It supplies fish protein and some remaining fat to kibble, but the name alone promises no coat or joint benefit.

Role in the food Supporting nutrient
Herring Meal
What it is
Herring or herring trimmings cooked, pressed, dried and ground into a protein meal for feed.
Made from
Whole herring or herring processing trimmings
Main job
Concentrated fish protein
Typical amount
Not published; one dog diet used 5%
Watch for
Fish allergy and oxidized fat
Not the same as
Herring oil

Straight answer

Is Herring Meal safe for dogs?

Read it as protein, then check the claims

Herring meal high in the ingredient list contributes substantial fish protein; farther down, it contributes less. Check the complete food's protein and fat, then look for a stated EPA and DHA amount if the bag promises coat or joint benefits. Avoid herring meal for a dog with a diagnosed fish allergy.

Why it is in the food
Concentrated fish protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 39 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

83 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 20 brands. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 6. In the top five of 30 foods, so it is usually a supporting ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.08
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 69 priced foods, 26% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

17%

of the foods that list it are from Open Farm. 20 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Fish meal plants process whole fish and material left after fish is prepared for other uses. Cooking and pressing remove water and much of the oil; drying turns the remaining solids into a storable meal.7

  1. 01 // Source Herring and trimmings Whole herring or material left after herring processing supplies the raw fish.
  2. 02 // Process Cooked and pressed Heat firms the protein, then a press separates solid cake from water and much of the oil.
  3. 03 // Process Dried and milled The cake is dried for storage and ground into particles that mix evenly into feed.
  4. 04 // Output Herring meal A dry protein meal reaches the kibble plant with some fish fat and minerals still present.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

73.4

% protein

Protein in a tested herring meal. Its main contribution is concentrated protein; the amount of fat left after pressing varies.

Crude protein 73.4%6
Crude fat 10.4%6
Ash 16.6%6

These rows describe one sample, not a fixed recipe. A separate dry matter analysis reported 78.4% protein and 5.55% fat. Pressing changes the fat left behind, while more bone raises ash.6,7,8

Why it is in the bag

Real fish protein, in a supporting amount

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Herring meal is mostly protein: one tested sample was 73.4% protein on a dry matter basis, with some fish fat left after pressing. We found no published typical amount. One beagle diet used 5%, which works out to under 4 points of the food's protein, a minority share. Labels list ingredients by weight, so it carries more of the protein near the top of the list. Lower down it is a supporting protein and fish flavor, not filler.1,6,7,10

  1. 01

    Adds dry fish protein

    Most water leaves before the meal reaches the kibble plant. A manufacturer gets concentrated fish protein without bringing fresh fish's water into the recipe.6,7

  2. 02

    Contributes residual fish fat

    Pressing removes much of the oil, but some remains. That fat contains marine fatty acids, while the finished food and its storage determine what reaches the dog.4,6,7

  3. 03

    Uses a limited supply

    Rendering makes whole fish or processing trimmings storable and saleable. Fish meal competes with aquaculture and other feed markets, which limits supply and raises its cost.7

  4. 04

    Adds fish flavor

    Fish meal has a distinct marine smell and is valued partly for palatability. A dog's response depends on the complete recipe, including its added fats.7

How much A study in 8 beagles used 5% low ash herring meal in one complete diet; it did not isolate the meal's effects.1

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Herring meal supplies concentrated animal protein

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A measured herring meal was 73.4% protein on a dry matter basis. Removing water concentrates protein by weight; the 8-beagle diet study did not measure herring meal's individual digestibility.1,6

  2. Brands say

    Herring meal gives dogs a shinier coat

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a placebo controlled trial, 24 dogs with poor coats received either fish oil capsules or a placebo, and the treated dogs' coat scores improved. It tested oil, not herring meal, whose remaining fat varies after pressing.2,7,9

  3. Brands say

    Herring meal eases aching joints

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A 77-dog fish oil trial found no difference between treatment and placebo groups on its main pain measures after 16 weeks. Supplemental oil is not evidence that herring meal relieves joint pain.3,7

  4. Critics say

    Herring meal is just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    One herring meal sample contained 73.4% protein and 10.4% fat on a dry matter basis. Both contribute nutrients. The useful quality question is how much protein, fat and bone a particular batch contains.6,7

  5. Owners say

    Herring meal provides all the fish oil a dog needs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    Pressing removes much of the oil, although one meal sample retained 10.4% fat. Its name gives no EPA or DHA amount for the finished food, and a stored kibble study found losses in added marine oil.4,6,7

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Herring meal contributes protein and some fat. A tested sample was 73.4% protein on a dry matter basis. Its quality still depends on the raw fish, the share of bone and the processing.6,7

  2. Q02

    Does it replace fish oil?

    No

    Pressing removes much of herring's oil. The meal retains some marine fat, but its name tells you neither the finished food's EPA and DHA amount nor how much remains during storage.4,6,7

  3. Q03

    Can a fish-allergic dog eat it?

    No

    Herring meal still contains fish protein. Fish triggered reactions in 5 of 297 dogs with identified food triggers in a research review. A dog with a diagnosed fish allergy should avoid it.5

  4. Q04

    Is it always made from whole fish?

    No

    Fish meal production also uses heads, frames and other processing trimmings. The ingredient name identifies herring, but the bag does not tell you the proportion of whole fish and trimmings.7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Open Farm 14 / 42
  2. AvoDerm 9 / 25
  3. Wellness 7 / 118
  4. Instinct 7 / 98
  5. Acana 6 / 23
  6. Annamaet 5 / 20
  7. Verus 5 / 19
  8. Dr. Tim's 5 / 9
  9. Go! Solutions 5 / 46
  10. Fromm 4 / 67

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 10 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #31 Open Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Mixed Tocopherols 60%
  2. Chicken Fat 43%
  3. Peas 37%
  4. Natural Flavor 37%
  5. Chicken Meal 36%
  6. Brown Rice 34%
  7. Tapioca 24%
  8. Salmon 23%
  9. Flaxseed 23%
  10. Chicken 22%
  11. Potatoes 22%
  12. Menhaden Fish Meal 19%

On the shelf

Foods that list Herring Meal

83 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodEarthborn HolisticEarthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelAcana Wholesome Grains Sea to Farm Puppy Recipe Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Wholesome Grains Sea to Farm Puppy Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelAcana Butcher’s Favorites, Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Butcher’s Favorites, Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm GoodGut Grass-Fed Beef Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm GoodGut Grass-Fed Beef Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness CORE Ocean Whitefish & Herring Recipe Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness CORE Ocean Whitefish & Herring Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness CORE Grain Free Ocean Whitefish, Herring & Salmon Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness CORE Grain Free Ocean Whitefish, Herring & Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Fish Luau Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Fish Luau Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHeed Foods Fresh Salmon & Quinoa Dry Dog FoodHeed FoodsHeed Foods Fresh Salmon & Quinoa Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelAvoDerm Grain-Free Salmon & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Grain-Free Salmon & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHealth Extension Ancestry Tidal Energy With Salmon Meal Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Ancestry Tidal Energy With Salmon Meal Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelAnnamaet Aqualuk Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Aqualuk Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelDr. Tim’s Momentum Highly Active Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Momentum Highly Active Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the label
Show 48 more
Wellness CORE+ Wholesome Grains Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness CORE+ Wholesome Grains Sensitive Skin Stomach Salmon & Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core RawRev Wholesome Grains Ocean + 100% Raw Fish Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core RawRev Wholesome Grains Ocean + 100% Raw Fish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Wholesome Grains Ocean Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Wholesome Grains Ocean Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Ocean Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Ocean Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelAcana Butcher’s Favorites, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Butcher’s Favorites, Free-Run Poultry & Liver Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelWellness Core Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Digestive Health Whitefish & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelZignature Essence LIR Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Essence LIR Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Lamb + Wild Boar Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelAcana Wholesome Grains Sea to Stream Fish & Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Wholesome Grains Sea to Stream Fish & Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 4 on the labelAnnamaet Manitok Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Manitok Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelAnnamaet Best Small Breed Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Best Small Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelAnnamaet Ultra High Protein Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Ultra High Protein Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelVerus Canine Small Breed Fish Formula Dry Dog FoodVerusVerus Canine Small Breed Fish Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelPinnacle Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodPinnaclePinnacle Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelBlue Carnivora Adult Coastal Blend Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Carnivora Adult Coastal Blend Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelVerus VēRUS Canine Small Breed Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodVerusVerus VēRUS Canine Small Breed Chicken Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Wild Ocean Fish & Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Wild Ocean Fish & Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Open Prairie Recipe-Ancient Grain Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains RawMix Open Prairie Recipe-Ancient Grain Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains Front Range Ancient Grains for Dogs - RawMix Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains Front Range Ancient Grains for Dogs - RawMix Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Wild Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Wild Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Whitefish Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelLotus Oven Baked Small Bites Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodLotusLotus Oven Baked Small Bites Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelLotus Oven Baked Regular Bites Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodLotusLotus Oven Baked Regular Bites Duck Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck for Small Breed Dogs Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck for Small Breed Dogs Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelInstinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelInstinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelAcana Highest Protein Wild Atlantic Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAcanaAcana Highest Protein Wild Atlantic Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelAvoDerm Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Puppy Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 6 on the labelOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Wild Caught Salmon with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelAnnamaet Grain Free Lean Formula Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Grain Free Lean Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelDr. Tim’s Glacier Athletic Blend Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Glacier Athletic Blend Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Front Range RawMix for Dogs - Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Front Range RawMix for Dogs - Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Farmer’s Table Pork Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOpen Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Pasture-Raised Lamb Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOrijen Amazing Grains, Regional Red Dry Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Amazing Grains, Regional Red Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelLotus Oven Baked Small Bites Chicken Recipe Puppy Dry Dog FoodLotusLotus Oven Baked Small Bites Chicken Recipe Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelLotus Oven Baked Regular Bites Chicken Recipe Puppy Dry Dog FoodLotusLotus Oven Baked Regular Bites Chicken Recipe Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Toy Breed Dogs Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Toy Breed Dogs Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelInstinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelAvoDerm Original Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodAvoDermAvoDerm Original Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOrijen Wild Reserve, Wild-Caught Fish Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Wild Reserve, Wild-Caught Fish Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 8 on the labelDr. Tim’s Pursuit Active Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Pursuit Active Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelDr. Tim’s Kinesis Sensitive Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Kinesis Sensitive Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelDr. Tim’s Kinesis All Life Stages Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Kinesis All Life Stages Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Canine Food Preference Assessment of Animal and Vegetable Ingredient-Based Diets Using Single-Pan Tests and Behavioral Observation Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2017 // Journal
  2. 2 A prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the effects of an n-3 essential fatty acids supplement (Agepi® ω3) on clinical signs, and fatty acid concentrations in the erythrocyte membrane, hair shafts and skin surface of dogs with poor quality coats Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 2020 // Journal
  3. 3 An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA BMC Veterinary Research, 2012 // Journal
  4. 4 Lipid source and kibble matrix determine oxidative stability and n-3 fatty acid loss in coated extruded dog food Journal of Animal Science, 2026 // Journal
  5. 5 Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats BMC Veterinary Research, 2016 // Journal
  6. 6 Apparent digestibility coefficients of the extruded pellet diets containing various fish meals for olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2016 // Journal
  7. 7 Fish meal Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2026 // Database
  8. 8 Aquafeeds and feeding strategies in the Philippines Food and Agriculture Organization, 1993 // Government
  9. 9 Nautica Virtue Dog Food, n.d. // Industry
  10. 10 Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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