Best Fish Dog Food

These dog foods were carefully reviewed for ingredient quality, nutrition, and standards.
Julia Ogden Karan French

By

Julia Ogden
Julia Ogden

Julia Ogden

Content Director

Julia is the content director at the Dog Food Advisor and responsible for the overall strategy of the website.

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&
Karan French
Karan French

Karan French

Senior Researcher

Karan is a senior researcher at the Dog Food Advisor, working closely with our in-house pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, to give pet parents all the information they need to find the best food for their dog.

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Updated: September 11, 2025

Why you should trust our dog food reviews

We've been reviewing food since 2008 with a proprietary formula in partnership with experts and user feedback. All reviews are verified by our in-house animal nutritionist. Why trust us

Laura Ward

Review verified by

Laura Ward
Laura Ward

Laura Ward

Pet Nutritionist

Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.

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All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.

Many dogs love fish-based dog food as it has a naturally strong aroma and savory flavor that they find irresistible, especially if they have a picky appetite.

Fish is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps support muscle development, repair, and overall health. It is packed with omega-3s, which promote healthy skin, a shiny coat, reduced inflammation, and support brain and joint health.

Fish is often easier on the stomach compared to some other protein sources like beef or chicken, making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. And many fish varieties have lower saturated fat content than red meats, which can be beneficial for weight management and heart health.

It is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, B vitamins, and iodine, all of which contribute to overall well-being.

If you’re looking for the best fish dog food for your pet, our team of experts have put together the list below to help you make an informed decision.

The Dog Food Advisor - Editor's choice

Best Fish Dog Food February 2026

  • Open Farm Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish and Ancient Grains

    Rating:
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    Open Farm Catch-of-the-Season Whitefish and Ancient Grains is certainly worthy of the 5 stars it has earned in our review. This recipe provides omega-rich protein and features nutrient-packed ancient grains and superfoods like oats and quinoa.

    Open Farm is a premium brand that provides high-quality nutrition for dogs using sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients.

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 16.7% fat and 46.4% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.

    Read our review of the full Open Farm Ancient Grains (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Chicken, ocean whitefish meal, oats, salmon, millet
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 28.9%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "We use the ancient grains line at Open Farm and they love it - beautiful coats and healthy dogs. Thanks for doing a great job taking care of the four leggeds."

    Read more buyer reviews at openfarm.com
  • Just Food for Dogs Fish and Sweet Potato

    Rating:
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    Just Food for Dogs Fish and Sweet Potato is an excellent choice for dogs with allergies. This recipe is ideal for dogs with allergies to more common proteins like chicken, and includes added flaxseed oil for extra omega-3s to promote skin and coat health.

    A fresh frozen meal, this food is hand-prepared in open kitchens using high-quality ingredients and no additives, preservatives or growth hormones.

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 38.9% protein, 11.1% fat and 42% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.

    Read our review of the full Just Food for Dogs (Fresh Frozen) range here

    Main Ingredients Cod, sweet potatoes, potatoes, green beans, broccolli
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-Free
    Protein Percentage 38.9%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Our ALD (Wilson) has been experiencing soft bowel movements, constant itching and licking. Our new vet recommended JustFoodForDogs “Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe”. After a quick transition, Wilson’s BMs are normal and his itching and licking have disappeared, and his coat’s lustre has returned. Not only that, but he loves the food and can’t wait till his next feeding. We are amazed and delighted with the results!"

    Read more buyer reviews at justfoodfordogs.com
  • Black Gold Explorer Sensitive Skin and Coat Ocean Fish Meal and Oat Recipe

    Rating:
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    Black Gold Explorer Sensitive Skin and Coat Ocean Fish Meal and Oat Recipe is a specially formulated kibble designed for active dogs to help maintain their health and energy levels. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, prebiotics for digestive support, and taurine for heart health.

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26.7% protein, 15.6% fat and 49.8% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.

    Read our review of the full Black Gold Explorer Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Ocean fish meal, oatmeal, brown rice, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), pearled barley
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 26.7%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For All Adult Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "Fountain of youth. My GSD/boxer mix is 10 years old, and this food makes him act like he's 10 months old! It's solid nutrition, and I highly recommend it."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Purina Beyond Line-caught Alaskan Cod, Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe Ground Entrée

    Rating:
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    Purina Beyond Line-Caught Alaskan Cod, Salmon, and Sweet Potato Recipe Ground Entrée features high-quality fish protein and includes sweet potato, which is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals to supports digestion, vision, and immune function. 

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36.4% protein, 22.7% fat and 32.9% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 63%.

    Read our review of the full Purina Beyond Dog Food (Canned) range here

    Main Ingredients Cod, chicken, fish broth, turkey, liver, salmon
    Texture Wet
    Type Grain-Free
    Protein Percentage 36.4%
    AAFCO Standards Maintenance
    Best For All Adult Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "I was looking for decent-quality canned food with limited ingredients, and this is working out great so far. My dog loves it and eats it well, he digests it well also. "

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Solid Gold Nutrient Boost Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach

    Rating:
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    Solid Gold Nutrient Boost Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach uses lean salmon as its protein source and is free from chicken, gluten, and grains, making it ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

    All Solid Gold recipes include superfoods, probiotics, and fatty acids to meet your pup’s nutritional needs.

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 16.7% fat and 46.4% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.

    Read our review of the full Solid Gold Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Salmon, ocean fish meal, chickpeas, lentils, peas
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-Free
    Protein Percentage 28.9%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "I have had my dog on this for 7 years and he has NEVER grown old of it. He is 9, and he is constantly told he looks like a puppy and that his coat is so shiny. This is great for pups with grain allergies or sensitive tummies! Will ALWAYS repurchase this!"

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com
  • Wellness CORE Digestive Health Whitefish and Brown Rice Recipe

    Rating:
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    Wellness CORE Digestive Health Whitefish and Brown Rice contains easily digestible, probiotic-coated kibble made with a special mix of prebiotic fibers and guaranteed levels of probiotics to assist dogs with a sensitive stomach.

    Wellness foods are nutritious and balanced, made with high-quality ingredients that support overall health.

    Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 13.3% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs… and a fat-to-protein ratio of about 40%.

    Read our review of the full Wellness CORE Digestive Health Dog Food (Dry) range here

    Main Ingredients Whitefish, whitefish meal (source of glucosamine), herring meal (source of chondroitin sulfate), brown rice, oatmeal
    Texture Dry
    Type Grain-Inclusive
    Protein Percentage 33.3%
    AAFCO Standards All Life Stages
    Best For All Adult Dogs

    Sample buyer review...

    "We have struggled with food for my dogs very sensitive stomach. This is honestly the first kibble that has given him solid poops! Highly recommend trying this if your dog struggles with diarrhea and a sensitive stomach."

    Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com

How we review dog foods

We read the label.

This may sound simple, but there are thousands of dog foods on the market, and the label is the only source of reliable, standardized and government-regulated data available on every one of them. This includes the AAFCO nutrient profile, the Guaranteed Analysis and the ingredients.

We use our algorithm.

We take the data and enter it into our unique algorithm to produce a different set of figures, including the Dry Matter Analysis (the nutrient levels after water has been removed). This algorithm gives us a base score range on our five-star rating system.

We refine the score.

We take into account other factors, such as the quality of ingredients and the nature of the first few ingredients on the list (and therefore the most prevalent in the food), and narrow the score. The key ingredients are explained in-depth in the review.

Our expert nutritionist takes over.

At this point, our expert pet nutritionist, Laura Ward, goes through the review to check and approve it. She has the authority to make small discretionary changes to the star-rating based on her judgment of a food. We now have our final star-rating.

What other information do we include for dog parents?

Each dog food review includes sample consumer reviews and links to other reviews. It also includes the brand’s recall history. Our Best Dog Food pages also include consumer reviews.

Why we don’t just feed foods to our dogs.

Despite what other dog food review sites claim, simply giving a food to a dog and seeing if they eat it is completely unscientific and has little value as a review method. If you give a kid candy, they’ll happily eat it, but it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. And no one food suits every dog.

It’s also dangerous for dogs. We rate every dog food, good and bad. Why would we deliberately feed a dog bad dog food?

That said, we understand that personal experience of a food is important to dog parents and include consumer reviews on our pages.

What about lab-testing dog food?

Lab-testing dog food can provide useful, in-depth information, but as mentioned, there are thousands of dog foods on the market. We’d love to test them all, but there isn’t a facility in the country that could. Therefore, it’s impossible to have a fair universal rating system using lab tests.

It’s worth noting that dog food brands carry out their own testing. This ensures compliance with AAFCO and FDA pet food standards, as well as checking for pathogens.


Why you should trust our dog food reviews


Dog Food Advisor has been impartially reviewing dog food since 2008. We are the most trusted dog food review site in the United States, with a 4.9-star TrustPilot rating.

Here's why:

We do not accept money, gifts, samples or any other incentives in exchange for special consideration in writing our reviews.

We rate every dog food in the same way, using the only information we believe is equally available for all foods, reliable and therefore fair: what’s on the label. It’s the only way for any review site to rate every dog food on the market.

We focus on ingredients, nutrient profiles and recipes. We look at the ingredients used, including their quality, and review the nutritional analysis and macronutrient balance. We take into account any controversial or harmful ingredients.

Every review is expertly checked and approved by our highly qualified in-house animal nutritionist, Laura Ward.

We report all dog food and dog treat recalls through our Dog Food Recall Alert service, no matter the brand.

For more information, read our How We Rate Dog Food and Disclaimer and Disclosure pages.

Final word

The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.

However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.

For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.

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