Salmon in Raw Dog Food: A Closer Look at This Protein
When people think about raw dog food, beef, chicken, and pork are usually some of the first proteins that come to mind. Salmon might not be the first thing you picture in your dog's bowl, but it's one of the more interesting options in the RawFedK9 lineup.
Unlike our other proteins, salmon comes from an entirely different type of animal. It has its own texture, moisture content, fat composition, and nutritional profile. It's also a protein that tends to bring up quite a few questions, especially when customers start comparing it to the other options we offer.
So what makes salmon different, and what exactly goes into our Salmon Complete Mix?
What Makes Salmon Different From Other Raw Proteins?
The most obvious difference is that salmon is fish rather than poultry or red meat, but there's more to it than that. Fish naturally has a different muscle structure than land animals, which is one reason salmon looks and feels different from proteins like beef or pork.
Salmon also contains naturally occurring marine fats, including omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. These are part of what makes fish nutritionally distinct from many land-animal protein sources. The amounts present can vary depending on the fish and its natural fat content, so it's important not to assume every salmon product has the same nutritional profile.
Another difference is moisture. Like other raw animal ingredients, salmon naturally contains water within its tissue. This contributes to the appearance and texture of the finished product, particularly after thawing.
For customers who enjoy exploring different ingredients, salmon offers something noticeably different from the familiar meats they may already be feeding.
What's Actually in RawFedK9 Salmon Complete Mix?
Although salmon is the primary protein, our Salmon Complete Mix isn't made from salmon alone.
The ingredient list includes:
Salmon, Beef Bone, Beef Liver, and Beef Spleen.
Like our other Complete Mix formulas, Salmon follows our 80/10/10 Prey Model Raw structure. That means the formula consists of 80% muscle meat, 10% raw crushed bone, and 10% organ.
The salmon provides the primary meat portion, while beef bone and beef organs are included to make up the remaining components of the formula. We don't add fruits, vegetables, or grains.
You can find the ingredient breakdowns for all our formulas on the RawFedK9 Nutritional Information Page.
A Closer Look at Salmon's Nutritional Information
Salmon is often thought of as a fatty fish, so its nutritional analysis may surprise some customers.
Here's how our Salmon Complete Mix compares with a few other RawFedK9 proteins:
| Formula | Moisture | Fat | Protein | Calories per 8 oz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon | 71.06% | 5.69% | 18.80% | 286 |
| Beef | 60.44% | 19.01% | 20.90% | 577 |
| Chicken | 75.78% | 10.55% | 10.50% | 317 |
| Pork | 66.81% | 12.11% | 17.30% | 404 |
One of the first things you'll probably notice is that Salmon has a lower listed fat percentage than Beef, Chicken, and Pork. It also contains fewer calories per 8 oz serving than those three formulas.
It's also worth remembering that the percentages are measured as the food is fed, including its naturally occurring moisture. When comparing raw foods, looking at fat, protein, moisture, and calories together gives you a clearer picture than focusing on any one number.
This is one of the reasons we provide nutritional information for each of our proteins. Even when two formulas follow the same 80/10/10 structure, they can have very different nutritional characteristics.
How Does Salmon Fit Into Protein Rotation?
At RawFedK9, we generally recommend rotating three to four different proteins and fat levels throughout the month. Salmon can be one of those options, particularly for customers who want to include a fish-based ingredient alongside the land-animal proteins they're already feeding.
For example, someone who regularly orders Beef, Pork, and Chicken might decide to add Salmon to their next rotation. Not only does this introduce a different primary protein source, but it also brings a formula with a different fat percentage and calorie content.
You don't need to feed every protein we offer, and you certainly don't need to switch proteins every single day. Some customers rotate between boxes, while others change proteins more frequently depending on their feeding routine and freezer setup.
The important thing is to understand what each formula contains and how it fits into the overall amount you're feeding.
If you'd like to learn more about incorporating variety into your dog's feeding routine, take a look at our blog on Why Protein Rotation Matters when feeding raw food.
Something Different for Your Raw Feeding Rotation
Salmon brings a different set of characteristics to the RawFedK9 lineup. From its natural marine fats and distinctive appearance to its nutritional analysis, there's quite a bit that separates it from the more familiar proteins.
Our Salmon Complete Mix follows the same 80/10/10 Prey Model Raw approach as our other formulas, using salmon alongside beef bone, beef liver, and beef spleen. It provides another option for customers who enjoy incorporating different animal ingredients into their dog's feeding routine.
And if you've been curious about trying salmon but weren't quite sure what was inside the formula, now you have a better idea of what makes it different.
