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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Menhaden Fish Meal

Concentrated fish protein with an uncertain omega payoff

Menhaden fish meal is made from whole fish cooked, pressed and dried after much of their oil is removed. It supplies concentrated animal protein to kibble. Some marine fat remains, but the name does not tell you how much omega-3 fat the finished food provides.

Menhaden Fish Meal
What it is
Whole menhaden cooked, pressed, dried and ground into a protein meal with some fat and minerals left.
Made from
Whole menhaden caught for processing
Main job
Concentrated fish protein
Typical amount
Not published for menhaden meal in dog food
Watch for
Fish allergy or rancid meal
Not the same as
Menhaden fish oil

Straight answer

Is Menhaden Fish Meal safe for dogs?

Read its position, then check the nutrients

Menhaden meal near the top is doing substantial protein work; farther down, it is a smaller addition. Read it alongside the other protein sources and the finished food's analysis. If the brand promotes omega-3 benefits, ask for the food's measured DHA amount.

Why it is in the food
Concentrated fish protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 17 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

6%

189 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 27 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 88 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 $2.87
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 155 priced foods, 12% below the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

16%

of the foods that list it are from Blue. 27 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Menhaden are caught for processing into meal, oil and fish solubles. Cooking and pressing separate much of the oil from the solids. Drying those solids makes a stable protein ingredient for feed and kibble.3,5

  1. 01 // Source Whole menhaden The reduction fishery catches menhaden to make fish meal, oil and solubles.
  2. 02 // Process Cook and press Heat releases water and oil; pressing separates a solid cake from the liquid.
  3. 03 // Process Dry and mill Processors dry the cake, grind it into meal and stabilize it for storage.
  4. 04 // Output Menhaden meal The finished dry meal retains protein, minerals and some oil after pressing.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

69

% protein

About 69% of one tested commercial menhaden meal was crude protein. Protein is the meal's main contribution to kibble.

Crude protein 692 g/kg2
Crude fat 95 g/kg2
Phosphorus 37 g/kg2
Lysine 50 g/kg2
Taurine 6 g/kg2

These are measurements of one commercial meal, not a published range. Pressing affects the oil left behind; the amount of bone affects minerals. This analysis does not measure DHA in the meal.2,3,4

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds fish protein

    Removing water and much of the oil leaves a dry ingredient dominated by protein. It raises the recipe's animal protein without bringing in the water of whole fish.2,3

  2. 02

    Contributes some marine fat

    Pressing leaves oil in the meal, including DHA. Its contribution to a dog's diet depends on the meal used and the finished recipe.4

  3. 03

    Draws on a large fishery

    Menhaden are the largest source of fish meal and oil made in the United States. Aquaculture also buys fish meal, so availability and competition affect its cost.3,6

How much A trial fed 12 dogs recipes containing 3% fish meal, but did not identify the fish species or test menhaden meal separately.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

    Menhaden meal is a concentrated protein source

    Evidence

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

    One commercial menhaden meal measured 692 g/kg crude protein on a dry matter basis. That makes its protein role clear. This trout-feed study did not measure how well dogs digest the meal.2

  2. Brands say

    Menhaden meal delivers an omega-3 boost

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A NOAA report says commercial menhaden meal retains around 10% oil and identifies DHA in that residual fat. It gives no DHA amount for a finished dog food, so a meal listing cannot promise a useful dose.4

  3. Brands say

    Menhaden meal improves itchy skin and coats

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A 16-dog crossover trial found better itching and coat measures with measured marine-oil capsules. It tested oil, not menhaden meal. The capsule supplier helped fund the study, and a meal listing gives no comparable dose.4,7

  4. Critics say

    Fish meal is just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    One tested menhaden meal was about 69% protein on a dry matter basis and also supplied fat and phosphorus. It has a nutritional job. The ingredient list shows its relative weight, not its share of the finished protein.2,8

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Menhaden meal is concentrated animal protein with some fat and minerals left after processing. If it appears high in the ingredient list, it is making a larger contribution to the recipe by weight.2,8

  2. Q02

    Does it replace fish oil?

    No

    Pressing removes much of the oil to make meal. Some remains, including DHA, but the label does not disclose the amount in the finished food. Ask for the food's DHA analysis if that nutrient matters to you.3,4

  3. Q03

    What if my dog has fish allergy?

    Avoid it

    Menhaden meal contains fish protein. If a food trial identified fish as your dog's trigger, skip foods listing this meal even when another meat appears first.2,8

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Blue 31 / 186
  2. Fromm 19 / 67
  3. Open Farm 18 / 42
  4. Victor 13 / 26
  5. Instinct 12 / 98
  6. NutriSource 12 / 91
  7. Nature's Logic 12 / 32
  8. Bil-Jac 11 / 32
  9. Nulo 9 / 117
  10. Health Extension 9 / 47

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

Plus 17 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #5 Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
  2. #32 Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato 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 71%
  2. Chicken Fat 54%
  3. Chicken Meal 43%
  4. Brown Rice 39%
  5. Chicken 37%
  6. Peas 35%
  7. Oatmeal 34%
  8. Flaxseed 30%
  9. Natural Flavor 28%
  10. Barley 23%
  11. Salmon 19%
  12. Pearled Barley 19%

On the shelf

Foods that list Menhaden Fish Meal

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

Victor Select Ocean Fish Formula with Salmon Dry Dog FoodVictorVictor Select Ocean Fish Formula with Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelVictor Select Grain Free Yukon River Canine Dry Dog FoodVictorVictor Select Grain Free Yukon River Canine Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelVerus Canine Small Breed Fish Formula Dry Dog FoodVerusVerus Canine Small Breed Fish Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelVerus Advanced Opticoat Menhaden Fish Meal and Potato Formula Dry Dog FoodVerusVerus Advanced Opticoat Menhaden Fish Meal and Potato Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelFromm Nutritionals Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Whole Oats Recipe Dry Dog FoodFrommFromm Nutritionals Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Whole Oats Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelFromm Classic Adult Whitefish & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodFrommFromm Classic Adult Whitefish & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Adult Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Adult Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHealth Extension Grain Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension Grain Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelPure Balance Pro+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach, Salmon & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodPure BalancePure Balance Pro+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach, Salmon & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Great Plains Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the label
Show 48 more
Open Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Epic Blend Salmon & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm Epic Blend Chicken & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Epic Blend Chicken & Superfood Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm GoodGut Wild-Caught Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Tide & Terrain Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelOpen Farm Goodbowl Grass-Fed Beef & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Goodbowl Grass-Fed Beef & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 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. 2 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. 2 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Wild Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Wild Ocean Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 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. 2 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Whitefish Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelVerus Grain-Free Cold Water Fish Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal & Herring Formula Dry Dog FoodVerusVerus Grain-Free Cold Water Fish Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal & Herring Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNutriSource Large Breed Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Large Breed Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource Trout & Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Small Breed Bites Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Small Breed Bites Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Salmon & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Salmon & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelI and Love and You Nude Super Food Simply Sea Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodI and Love and YouI and Love and You Nude Super Food Simply Sea Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelI and Love and You Lovingly Simple Whitefish + Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodI and Love and YouI and Love and You Lovingly Simple Whitefish + Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Whole Grain Recipe with Real Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Whole Grain Recipe with Real Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHungry Bark Superfoods with Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodHungry BarkHungry Bark Superfoods with Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelCanidae Pure Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken, Potato & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Grain-Free Small Breed Real Chicken, Potato & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelCanidae Pure Puppy Grain-Free Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Puppy Grain-Free Real Chicken, Lentil & Whole Egg Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBy Nature Salmon & Menhaden Fish Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodBy NatureBy Nature Salmon & Menhaden Fish Meal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Wilderness Denali Dinner Adult Wild Salmon, Venison & Halibut Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Wilderness Denali Dinner Adult Wild Salmon, Venison & Halibut Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Wilderness Adult Salmon with Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Wilderness Adult Salmon with Grains Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Fish and Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Fish and Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelBlue Life Protection Formula Puppy Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Life Protection Formula Puppy Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Dry Puppy Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Dry Puppy Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelSimply Nourish Source Adult - Salmon, High-Protein, Grain Free Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Source Adult - Salmon, High-Protein, Grain Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelOpen Farm Dry Puppy Food Salmon Puppy Food with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Dry Puppy Food Salmon Puppy Food with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelOpen Farm Ancient Grains New Zealand Venison with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Ancient Grains New Zealand Venison with Ancient Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 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. 3 on the labelOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm RawMix Grain-Free Chicken & Turkey Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo Culinary Harvest Small Breed Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo Culinary Harvest Small Breed Beef, Pork & Lamb Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Senior Chicken & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Senior Chicken & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Large Breed Turkey & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Large Breed Turkey & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelPinnacle dog recipes Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodPinnaclePinnacle dog recipes Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelPinnacle Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodPinnaclePinnacle Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelI and Love and You Naked Essentials Puppy Grain-Free with Chicken + Lentils Dry Dog FoodI and Love and YouI and Love and You Naked Essentials Puppy Grain-Free with Chicken + Lentils Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked September 1, 2026.

  1. 1 The impact of graded levels of fermented plant protein (Proteger®) in extruded foods on fecal quality, nutrient digestibility, and colonic fermentation in beagle dogs Frontiers in Animal Science, 2025 // Journal
  2. 2 Determination of the protein value of novel poultry meal ingredients for rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, 2024 // Journal
  3. 3 Fish meal Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2026 // Database
  4. 4 Fish and Fish Oil in the Diet and its Effects on Certain Medical Conditions National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1991 // Government
  5. 5 Atlantic Menhaden NOAA Fisheries, 2026 // Government
  6. 6 Feeds for Aquaculture NOAA Fisheries, 2023 // Government
  7. 7 Double-blinded Crossover Study with Marine Oil Supplementation Containing High-dose icosapentaenoic Acid for the Treatment of Canine Pruritic Skin Disease Veterinary Dermatology, 1994 // Journal
  8. 8 Nutrition in Disease Management in Small Animals Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025 // Book
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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