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Ingredient file // Named animal protein

Salmon Meal

Salmon that has been cooked, dried and ground into a concentrated meal with most of the water removed.

Salmon Meal

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 14 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

7%

228 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 43 brands. All dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 4.5. In the top five of 128 foods, so it is usually a main 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 $3.42
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 188 priced foods, 5% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

12%

of the foods that list it are from Merrick. 43 brands use it in total.

What it is

Why it turns up in dog food

  • Concentrated protein that keeps salmon's omega 3s, so more coat and joint benefit per mouthful.

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Merrick 28 / 107
  2. Blue 17 / 186
  3. Wellness 16 / 118
  4. Nulo 16 / 117
  5. Go! Solutions 14 / 46
  6. NutriSource 12 / 91
  7. Nutro 10 / 71
  8. Horizon 8 / 27
  9. Dr. Tim's 8 / 9
  10. Simply Nourish 7 / 44

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

Plus 33 more brands.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #9 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
  2. #23 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
  3. #72 Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Turkey & Oatmeal Dry Dog Food
  4. #89 Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin Stomach Puppy Dry Dog Food
  5. #92 Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Large Breed Formula 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 61%
  2. Peas 45%
  3. Salmon 40%
  4. Chicken Fat 39%
  5. Chicken Meal 34%
  6. Natural Flavor 33%
  7. Flaxseed 32%
  8. Barley 26%
  9. Oatmeal 25%
  10. Sweet Potatoes 25%
  11. Potatoes 25%
  12. Brown Rice 24%

On the shelf

Foods that list Salmon Meal

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

Gentle Giants Wild Caught Salmon - Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ Feast for Seafood Lovers - Dog and Puppy Food Natural, Non GMO Ingredients Dry Dog FoodGentle GiantsGentle Giants Wild Caught Salmon - Gentle Giants ‘Quality of Life’ Feast for Seafood Lovers - Dog and Puppy Food Natural, Non GMO Ingredients Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelBlue Seal EnTrust Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula Dry Dog FoodBlue SealBlue Seal EnTrust Sensitive Stomach & Skin Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 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. 1 on the labelAnnamaet Aqualuk Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Aqualuk Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelAnnamaet Option Medium & Large Breed Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Option Medium & Large Breed Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelDr. Tim’s RPM Salmon & Pork Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s RPM Salmon & Pork Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelVictor Purpose Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodVictorVictor Purpose Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Meal & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelHorizon Pulsar WG Salmon - Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Pulsar WG Salmon - Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Large Breed Puppy Salmon Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Large Breed Puppy Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Large Breed Salmon Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Large Breed Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Small Breed Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodWhole Earth FarmsWhole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the label
Show 48 more
Annamaet Small Breed Salmon Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Small Breed Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGo! Solutions Digestion + Gut Health Salmon with Grains Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Digestion + Gut Health Salmon with Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelInstinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelHorizon Pulsar Grain-Free Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodHorizonHorizon Pulsar Grain-Free Salmon Formula Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Skin + Coat Care Salmon Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Salmon & Kale Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Salmon & Kale Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelJinx Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Dry Dog FoodJinxJinx Grain-Free Atlantic Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelZignature Original Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelKirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Small Breed Salmon & Lentil Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodKirkland SignatureKirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Small Breed Salmon & Lentil Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelKirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon and Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodKirkland SignatureKirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon and Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Limited Ingredient Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Limited Ingredient Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Limited Ingredient Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Limited Ingredient Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelSimply Nourish Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelRachael Ray Nutrish Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodRachael Ray NutrishRachael Ray Nutrish Grain Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelAbound Pro Vet Formulated Senior Salmon & Pea Dry Dog FoodAboundAbound Pro Vet Formulated Senior Salmon & Pea Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelAbound Pro Vet Formulated Skin & Coat Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodAboundAbound Pro Vet Formulated Skin & Coat Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelDr. Tim’s Heirloom Ancient Fish & Grains Dry Dog FoodDr. Tim'sDr. Tim’s Heirloom Ancient Fish & Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelPure Balance Wild & Free Grain-Free Salmon & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodPure BalancePure Balance Wild & Free Grain-Free Salmon & Pea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Limited+ Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelZignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Select Cuts Trout & Salmon Meal Formula with Super Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelZignature Original Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelZignature Original Small Bites Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodZignatureZignature Original Small Bites Trout & Salmon Formula with Probiotics Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHalo Elevate Grain Free Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Grain Free Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelHalo Elevate Healthy Grains Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Dog FoodHaloHalo Elevate Healthy Grains Salmon Recipe Adult Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelPinnacle dog recipes Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodPinnaclePinnacle dog recipes Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Raw Grain Free Pacific Catch Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Raw Grain Free Pacific Catch Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelGo! Solutions Healthy Aging Salmon + Duck Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Healthy Aging Salmon + Duck Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelCanidae Pure Farm To Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Lentil, Small Breed Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Farm To Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Lentil, Small Breed Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelCanidae Pure Farm to Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Farm to Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Barley Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Healthy Weight Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Small Breed Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Simple Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Six Small Breed Sustainably-Sourced Salmon Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Six Small Breed Sustainably-Sourced Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelWellness Core Six Sustainably-Sourced Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core Six Sustainably-Sourced Salmon Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelTaste of the Wild Ancient Stream Canine Recipe with Smoked Salmon Dry Dog FoodTaste of the WildTaste of the Wild Ancient Stream Canine Recipe with Smoked Salmon Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Small Bites Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Grain-Free Salmon & Peas Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNutriSource PureVita Salmon & Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodNutriSourceNutriSource PureVita Salmon & Potato Entree Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelPinnacle Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodPinnaclePinnacle Salmon & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelNatural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceNatural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Limited Ingredient Diet Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain-Free Real Salmon + Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Recipe + Grains Dry Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Recipe + Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the label
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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