Salmon has a rich, oily smell and a savory flavor that cats find irresistible. As obligate carnivores, cats need protein to thrive, and salmon provides a high-quality source.
It is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats to support a cat’s skin, coat, joints, and brain health.
Like other meats, salmon contains taurine, which is crucial for heart health, vision, and digestion.
Many cats enjoy the flaky, tender texture of salmon, making it easy to eat and digest too.
Always choose a cat food with properly balanced salmon ingredients rather than raw or heavily seasoned human-grade salmon. To help, we have put together this list of the best salmon cat food available today. All recipes have been chosen by our team of experts made up of pet nutritionists and veterinarians.
Our top picks
- Open Farm (Dry) Jump to review
- Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse (Wet) Jump to review
- Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet) Jump to review
- American Journey Grain-Free (Dry) Jump to review
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro (Dry) Jump to review
- Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble (Dry) Jump to review
- Dr Elsey’s Clean Protein (Dry) Jump to review
- Nulo MedalSeries (Dry) Jump to review
- Simply Nourish Grain-Free (Dry) Jump to review
-
Open Farm (Dry)
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Rustic Blend received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of five recipes in a product range made by Open Farm, which was founded by Jacqueline Prehogan in 2014. The cat food arm of the operation has its headquarters in Canada, and the products are developed and formulated in Canada too.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 41.1% protein, 20% fat and 30.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 49%.
Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon Rustic Blend is made with premium ingredients that are responsibly sourced, it ontains nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to provide a balanced and wholesome diet for cats.
Read our review of the full Open Farm (Dry) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Contains good quality fish protein
- You know where each ingredient comes from
Main Ingredients Wild Pacific salmon, ocean whitefish meal, ocean herring meal, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), red lentils Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 41.1% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats EXCLUSIVE: New customer offer
20% off first auto-ship order with code CFA20
Sample buyer review...
"My friend recommended this food to me and my cat absolutely loves it!! She wiggles and dances at feeding time. So glad we found it! She loves it! "
-
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse (Wet)
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Salmon in Broth received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of six foods in a product range made by Tiki Cat which was founded in 2005 by husband and wife team, Christine and Robert Hackett.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this wet recipe contains 60% protein, 20% fat and 12% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 33%.
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Salmon in Broth contains high-quality fish protein paired with a broth to enhance the taste and palatability as well as aid hydration.
Read our review of the full Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse (Wet) range hereThings we like
- Low carbohydrates
- High in protein
- No artificial additives
Main Ingredients Salmon, salmon broth, dried egg, sunflower seed oil, tricalcium phosphate Texture Wet Type Mousse Protein Percentage 60% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"The consistency is great for young kittens. It works well when weaning. I foster cats/kittens and have not found one that does not like it. I would definitely recommend it."
-
Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet)
Weruva Truluxe Flavors Pretty in Pink with Salmon in Gravy received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of ten recipes in a product range made by Weruva Inc. which is based in Natick, Massachusetts, although the food is manufactured in Thailand.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this wet recipe contains 71.4% protein, 9.3% fat and 11.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 13%.
Weruva Truluxe Flavors Pretty in Pink with Salmon in Gravy provides cats with an excellent source of quality protein alongside essential fatty acids. It is made from natural, wholesome ingredients and is free from grains, carrageenan, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Read our review of the full Weruva Truluxe Flavors (Wet) range hereThings we like
- High in protein
- Human-grade recipes
- Free from artificial ingredients
Main Ingredients Fish broth, salmon, sunflower seed oil, guar gum, tricalcium phosphate Texture Wet Type Flaked Protein Percentage 71.4% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"I feed my cats raw and high quality canned food. I have tried several different kinds of cat food and found this brand on a recommendation list from a holistic site. It was instantly a favorite of my cats. "
-
American Journey Grain-Free (Dry)
American Journey Salmon Grain Free Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of eight foods in this product range made by Chewy.com. It launched in 2017, and is sold almost exclusively through Chewy’s website.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 44.4% protein, 16.7% fat and 30.9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 38%.
Made using quality ingredients and avoiding artificial additives, fillers, and by-products, American Journey Salmon Grain Free Recipe is one of the most affordable brands for pet parents.
Read our review of the full American Journey Grain-Free (Dry) range hereThings we like
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Quality protein source
- No animal by-products
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, salmon meal, tapioca starch, menhaden fish meal, dried egg product Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"Both my cats love this food. I have switched to grain-free without useless fillers in the last few years. One cat is an over-groomer, so I have to add a hairball control food to the mix. Both cats prefer a salmon /fish flavor. I wish American Journey would make a hairball controlled grain-free version in salmon or chicken. "
-
Merrick Purrfect Bistro (Dry)
Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of eight recipes in this product range made by Merrick which was founded in 1988 by Garth Merrick in his family kitchen in Hereford, Texas.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 42.7% protein, 19.1% fat and 30.2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 45%.
This formula is high in quality protein with moderate fat levels and relatively low levels of carbohydrates. It is fortified with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and antioxidants.
Read our review of the full Merrick Purrfect Bistro (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Includes quality fish
- Protein-packed kibble
- Contains probiotics
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, peas Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 42.7% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"You really can’t go wrong with this food. My pets have never had trouble tolerating it. It's got simple ingredients so it improves longevity, and I just feel better giving my pets whole ingredients and not corn filler."
-
Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble (Dry)
Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4.5 stars.
It is one of six recipes in a product range made by Stella & Chewy, a privately held business based in Oak Creek. All the foods are manufactured at a plant in Wisconsin.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 39.8% protein, 15.9% fat and 36.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 40%.
This formula contains responsibly-sourced quality fish proteins. It is complete and balanced with appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals and added taurine to support the overall health of your cat.
Read our review of the full Stella & Chewy’s Raw Coated Kibble (Dry) range hereThings we like
- No by products
- Grain and potato free
- No corn, wheat or soy protein
Main Ingredients Salmon, ocean fish meal, lentils, chickpeas, peas Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 39.8% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"What sets this cat food apart is its grain-free, protein-rich formula. With real fish as the first ingredient and a raw coating for added flavor and nutrition, it's like offering a gourmet meal to your furry friend every day. "
-
Dr Elsey’s Clean Protein (Dry)
Dr Elsey’s Clean Protein With Salmon recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of two recipes in this product range made by Dr. Elsey’s which was founded in 1987 and is manufactured in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 63.6% protein, 19.3% fat and 9% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 30%.
More than 90 percent of the protein in this dry food comes from fish and there are no added fillers or preservatives.
Read our review of the full Dr Elsey’s Clean Protein (Dry) range hereThings we like
- High protein content
- All protein comes from animal sourced ingredients
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Main Ingredients Salmon, dried chicken, dried egg product, gelatin, salmon hydrolysate Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 63.6% AAFCO Standards All life stages Best For All cats Sample buyer review...
"I switched my cat’s dry food to Dr Elsey's in order to get him higher quality protein with fewer potential allergens. One of the first things I noticed is how shiny his coat has become since switching. And he seems to love the taste."
-
Nulo MedalSeries (Dry)
Nulo MedalSeries High Protein Kibble Salmon & Lentils Recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s highest rating: 5 stars.
It is one of 15 foods in a product range made by Nulo, a company founded in 2009 by Michael Landa and Brett Montana, after they saw high rates of diabetes and other medical issues in dogs and cats while running their pet-sitting business.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 44.4% protein, 22.2% fat and 25.3% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 50%.
This formula is low in carbohydrate and includes low glycemic ingredients. It contains high-quality proteins that provide amino acids to support lean muscle and a healthy heart.
Read our review of the full Nulo MedalSeries (Dry) range hereThings we like
- Includes omega-3s
- Contains probiotics
- Quality protein ingredients
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, turkey meal, chicken meal, deboned cod, whole peas Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 44.4% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult & senior cats Sample buyer review...
"I really like that the first ingredient is fish protein, and the rest are natural ingredients with a good range of vitamins, minerals, and probiotics. My cat seems to really like it too."
-
Simply Nourish Grain-Free (Dry)
Simply Nourish Original Cat Dry Food – Salmon & Peas, Natural, Grain Free recipe received the Cat Food Advisor’s second highest rating: 4 stars.
It is one of seven recipes in a product range made by Simply Nourish, which was founded in 2011 in Seattle, Washington, and is a subsidiary of Mars Petcare, one of the largest pet food companies in the world.
Our dry matter label analysis reveals this dry recipe contains 40% protein, 17.8% fat and 34.2% carbohydrates . . . with a fat-to-protein ratio of 44%.
This grain free formula offers quality sources of protein to support a cat’s muscle development and overall health.
Read our review of the full Simply Nourish Grain-Free (Dry) range hereThings we like
- High protein diet
- Includes good quality fish protein
- No meat by-products
Main Ingredients Deboned salmon, salmon meal, dried peas, fish meal, dried potatoes Texture Dry Type Kibble Protein Percentage 40% AAFCO Standards Unspecified Best For Adult cats Sample buyer review...
"We've tried a lot of grain-free products for our cats and always come back to Simply Nourish. It seems to be the one brand that they 1) like and 2) don't throw up or get diarrhea. Those are pretty important factors!"
Buy at 
Best cat foods
Sources
Cat Food Advisor is reader supported. If you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Article reviewed by
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.
