Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Dry Dog Food - Fish

Fish food for dogs!

Another reading assignment - this time ingredients of seven (7) fish dry dog foods. The BCs eat fish in their rotation and thrive on Acana Pacifica - a grain-free fish formula with 33% protein. I've noticed they do not do well on higher protein fish (40%+) like Orijen, EVO and Canidae. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream and Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish are considered moderate protein fish at 25% and 21%, respectively. Wellness CORE Ocean Recipe is 34% protein.

Acana & Orijen are made by the same company Champion Petfoods. According to their website, here are the differences between the two...Meat Concentration: Orijen is made with 70-75% meat ingredients while Acana has between 40 to 65%, depending on the formula; Amount of Protein: Orijen diets range between 38% and 42% protein, while Acana features protein levels of 29-34%; Amount of Carbohydrates: Orijen diets range from 18-22% of carbohydrate, while Acana diets are typically in the 28-30% carbohydrate range; Amount of Fresh Meat: Orijen is made with 28-35% of fresh meats, compared with Acana which ranges from 9-15% of fresh meats; Variety of Fresh Meat: Orijen contains a minimum of 5 fresh meats, compared to Acana which contains 3 different fresh meat ingredients.

Questions to think about if considering fish dry dog foods. Does it contain ethoxyquin (preservative)? Are heavy metals and other toxins tested in fish and fish meals? Is the fish frozen or fresh when the dog food is manufactured? How many species of fish and fish meal are included in the formulas? Prices for fish are the among highest in dry dog foods.

ACANA Pacifica (Champion Petfoods)
Ingredients: Boneless salmon (natural source of EPA, DHA), salmon meal, herring meal, russet potato, peas, whitefish meal (wild-caught flounder, halibut and cod), sweet potatoes, salmon oil (preserved with vitamin E), sun-cured alfalfa, boneless herring, boneless flounder, natural fish flavors, pumpkin, turnip greens, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, apples, organic kelp, cranberries, blueberries, juniper berries, black currants, chicory root, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, lavender flowers, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, zinc proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, iron proteinate, vitamin B6, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12, selenium, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 33%; Crude Fat (min) 18%; Crude Fiber (max) 3%; Moisture (max) 10%; Calcium (min) 1.4%; Phosphorus (min) 1.1%; Omega-6 (min) 2.6%; Omega-3 (min) 1.3%; DHA/EPA 0.9%/0.3%; Carbohydrate (max) 27%. Calories: 430 kcal per 250 ml cup. 

ORIJEN 6 Fish (Champion Petfoods)
Ingredients: Fresh deboned salmon, salmon meal, herring meal, russet potato, fresh deboned lake whitefish, sweet potato, peas, salmon oil (preserved with vitamin E), fresh deboned walleye, fresh deboned herring, sun-cured alfalfa, fresh deboned flounder, fresh deboned lake trout, dehydrated organic kelp, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, saskatoon berries, black currants, choline chloride, psyllium, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, sea salt, vitamin supplements (vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin C, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12), mineral supplements (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 40%; Crude Fat (min) 18%; Crude Fiber (max) 3%; Moisture (max) 10%; Calcium (max) 1.7%; Phosphorus (max) 1.4%; Omega-6 (min) 3.0%; Omega-3 (min) 1.2%; DHA/EPA 0.7%/0.3%; Carbohydrate (max) 20%. Calories: 460 kcal per 250 ml cup.

EVO Herring & Salmon Formula (Natura Pet)
Ingredients:  Herring, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Salmon, Eggs, Herring Oil, Pea Fiber, Sunflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Apples, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Dried Chicory Root, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Minerals & Vitamins [Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, dl-Methionine, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol), Zinc Proteinate], Direct-Fed Microbials. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein (min) 42%; Crude Fat (min) 18%; Crude Fiber (max) 3%; Moisture (max) 10%; Calcium (max) 1.7%; Phosphorus (max) 1.4%; Linoleic Acid (Omega-6 Fatty Acid) 1.4%; Omega-3 Fatty Acids (min) 2.6%; Carbohydrates NFE (max) 18%. Calories: 456 kcal/cup.

TASTE OF THE WILD Pacific Stream with Smoked Salmon (Diamond Pet Products)
Ingredients: Salmon, ocean fish meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, canola oil, salmon meal, smoked salmon, potato fiber, natural flavor, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folicGuaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein Minimum 25.00%; Crude Fat Minimum 15.00%; Crude Fiber Maximum 3.00%; Moisture Maximum 10.00%
Sodium Maximum 0.30%; Omega-6 Fatty Acids Minimum 2.40%; Omega-3 Fatty Acids Minimum 0.30%. Calories: 360 kcal/cup.

CANIDAE Grain Free Salmon Formula (Diamond Pet Products)
Ingredients: Salmon meal, potatoes, potato protein, ocean fish meal, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), peas, tomato pomace, natural flavor, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, inulin (from chicory root), lecithin, sage extract, cranberries, beta-carotene, rosemary extract, sunflower oil, yucca schidigera extract, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, cobalt proteinate, papaya, pineapple. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein Minimum 40.00%; Crude Fat Minimum 20.00%; Crude Fiber Maximum 3.00%; Moisture Maximum 10.00%; Linoleic Acid (Omega-6) Minimum 3.70%; Alpha Linolenic Acid (Omega-3) Minimum 1.00%; Calcium 1.20%; Phosphorus 0.90%. Calories: 498 kcal/cup.

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Fish (Diamond Pet Foods)

Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil, Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Sodium Chloride, Salmon Oil (a source of DHA), Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Methionine, Choline Chloride, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein Minimum 21.00%; Crude Fat Minimum 10.00%; Crude Fiber Maximum 3.00%; Moisture Maximum 10.00%; Omega-6 Fatty Acids Minimum 2.00%; Omega-3 Fatty Acids Minimum 0.50%; Calcium 1.00%; Phosphorus 0.90%. Calories: No information found on website.

Wellness CORE Ocean Recipe (Hagan Pet Foods)
Ingredients: Whitefish, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Flaxseed, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins & Minerals, Choline Chloride, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Products, Rosemary Extract. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein Minimum 34.00%; Crude Fat Minimum 14.00%; Crude Fiber Maximum 7.00%; Moisture Maximum 10.00%; Omega-6 Fatty Acids Minimum 2.00%; Omega-3 Fatty Acids Minimum 0.80%; Calcium 2.10%; Phosphorus 1.50%. Calories: 430 kcal per cup.

Resources: FDA Animal & Veterinary Resources for You - Pet Food Labels provides additional information on ethoxyquin (scroll down to ingredient lists).