Herring Meal

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.

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

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