Yes. Salmon contains trace mercury, but the FDA classifies it as a “Best Choice” for people choosing lower-mercury fish. Historical FDA samples averaged 0.014 ppm for canned salmon and 0.022 ppm for fresh or frozen salmon; those figures are not a guarantee for a particular product. For dogs and cats, human fish-serving advice is not a pet feeding limit.
If you offer salmon to a pet, focus on the more immediate concerns: serve it plain, fully cooked, and boneless, and consider your pet’s overall diet and health. Avoid raw or undercooked salmon and ask your veterinarian about an individual feeding plan, especially if your pet has a health condition or prescribed diet.
How much mercury is in salmon?
The FDA’s historical commercial-fish dataset, covering 1990–2012, reports these mean mercury concentrations for salmon:
| Salmon product | Mean mercury concentration | Samples | Salmon sample years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh or frozen salmon | 0.022 ppm | 94 | 1991–2009 |
| Canned salmon | 0.014 ppm | 19 | 1993–2009 |
These are historical averages from sampled fish, not current tests of every species, brand, serving, or catch area. The figures support describing salmon as low in mercury, not mercury-free.
#1 Best Overall
- Oat meal is easily digestible and gentle on the digestive system
- High protein formula, with real salmon as the first ingredient
- Fortified with guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health
- Used to be known as FOCUS Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula
- Sunflower oil rich in omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Why salmon is considered low in mercury
The FDA lists salmon as a “Best Choice” on its consumer fish chart. This is a relative category in advice for people; it does not mean salmon contains no mercury or establish a feeding limit for pets.
Mercury is only one consideration when choosing food for a dog or cat. A pet’s health, prescribed diet, age, and overall nutrition can matter when deciding whether an extra food is appropriate.
Can dogs eat salmon?
Veterinary-reviewed guidance supports cooked salmon as an optional food for dogs, but whether it suits an individual dog depends on its health and diet. If you offer it, keep it plain, fully cooked, and boneless, and ask your veterinarian if your dog has a health condition or follows a prescribed diet.
Rank #2
- Diamond Naturals Skin and Coat All Life Stages Salmon and Potato dry dog food; REAL SALMON is the #1 ingredient; from puppy to senior, this formula helps maintain healthy skin and coat
- Nutrient-rich and provides the energy to thrive; vitamins and minerals from VEGETABLES and SUPERFOODS; energy-rich carbohydrates and immune-system-supporting antioxidants; omega fatty acids for healthy SKIN and COAT
- Each serving includes species-specific K9 Strain PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS — plus antioxidants and prebiotics — to help support healthy digestion, IMMUNE system and overall health and wellness
- FAMILY-OWNED and MADE in the USA using quality ingredients from trusted domestic and global sources
Do not feed raw or undercooked salmon. Raw fish can pose pathogen and parasite risks. UC Davis describes canine salmon poisoning disease associated with salmonid fish carrying an infected fluke; not every raw salmon exposure causes the disease, but a dog that eats raw salmon and becomes ill needs veterinary care.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Can cats eat salmon?
Veterinary-reviewed guidance supports cooked salmon as an optional food for cats, but it should not be treated as a substitute for a nutritionally appropriate diet. Whether an extra food fits depends on the cat’s health and usual diet. Ask your veterinarian before offering it if your cat has a health condition or prescribed diet.
Do not feed raw or undercooked salmon. If you offer salmon, serve it plain, fully cooked, and boneless.
Rank #3
- Sensitive skin dog food made with real salmon as the #1 ingredient to help support strong muscles, including a healthy heart
- A SmartBlend of high-quality ingredients in this adult dog food, along with vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, promotes healthy skin and a radiant coat
- Purina ONE Skin & Coat dog food includes four antioxidant sources for a strong immune system and natural glucosamine sources for joint health
- Calcium and deliciously crunchy bites in this dog food kibble support strong teeth and healthy gums
- Sensitive stomach dog food crafted in Purina-owned, U.S. facilities with no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives for 100 percent nutrition, 0 percent fillers
Is canned salmon lower in mercury than fresh or frozen salmon?
In the FDA’s historical samples, canned salmon had a lower mean mercury concentration than fresh or frozen salmon: 0.014 ppm across 19 samples collected in 1993–2009, compared with 0.022 ppm across 94 samples collected in 1991–2009. This is a comparison of historical sample averages, not proof that every can has less mercury than every fresh or frozen fillet.
For a pet, check the product and consider whether it fits the animal’s diet and health needs. Do not interpret these historical averages as a pet serving guide.
Raw versus cooked salmon: what is the difference?
The important difference is pathogen and parasite risk, not a change in mercury content. FDA advises cooking raw ingredients used in cooked pet food to a proper internal temperature measured with a food thermometer. Cooking advice addresses food safety; it does not mean cooking removes mercury.
Rank #4
- REAL SALMON DOG FOOD RECIPE: Get ears perking up with every bowl of Rachael Ray Nutrish Salmon Dog Food Recipe made with real salmon as the #1 ingredient for a balanced meal
- ADULT DRY DOG FOOD: Complete & balanced nutrition for small, medium and large breed adult dogs, this dry dog food turns each meal into a tail-wagging moment
- VETERINARIAN REVIEWED FORMULA: This specially crafted dry dog food recipe is veterinarian reviewed and backed by our team of nutrition and dog experts
- NATURAL DOG FOOD: Natural food with added vitamins, minerals & nutrients for your dog's daily meals. Made with no artificial flavors, it offers real taste that dogs love
- RACHAEL RAY FOUNDATION: Each bag of dry dog food is made with purpose – ensuring nourishing adult dog food while helping support animals in need through The Rachael Ray Foundation
A thermometer can help check cooking temperature, but it cannot test for mercury. Do not feed raw or undercooked salmon to pets.
How much salmon can a dog or cat have?
The sources reviewed do not establish a pet-specific mercury threshold or a universal safe salmon portion for dogs or cats. Do not apply human serving recommendations to pets. Ask your veterinarian whether salmon fits your pet’s individual diet and health needs, and how to account for it alongside the rest of the diet.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if my pet ate salmon?
If your pet ate raw salmon and becomes ill, contact a veterinarian. Also seek veterinary advice if you are concerned about what your pet ate or if it has a health condition or prescribed diet. Tell the veterinarian whether the salmon was raw or cooked and what kind of product it was.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Best Value
- REAL SALMON FIRST: This Blue Buffalo dry dog food is made with real, high-quality salmon as the #1 ingredient
- CHICKEN-FREE DOG FOOD: This BLUE Life Protection Formula recipe is chicken-free and made with premium ingredients and contains no corn, wheat or soy
- THE PERFECT BALANCE OF FLAVOR AND NUTRITION: Formulated with essential proteins and carbs for energy needs and Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and coat
- CONTAINS IMMUNITY-BOOSTING LIFESOURCE BITS: LifeSource Bits contain a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance
- INCLUDED IN PACKAGE: contains one (1) 5 lb bag of BLUE Life Protection Formula Natural Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Does salmon have mercury?
Yes. Salmon contains trace mercury, but the FDA classifies it as a “Best Choice” for people choosing lower-mercury fish. Historical FDA sample averages are not a guarantee for an individual product.
Can dogs eat salmon?
Cooked salmon is an optional food for dogs according to veterinary-reviewed guidance. If you offer it, serve it plain, fully cooked, and boneless; ask your veterinarian whether it fits your dog’s health and diet.
Can cats eat salmon?
Cooked salmon is an optional food for cats according to veterinary-reviewed guidance, not a replacement for a nutritionally appropriate diet. Consider your cat’s health and usual food, and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.
Can dogs or cats eat raw salmon?
No. Avoid raw or undercooked salmon because of pathogen and parasite risks. UC Davis describes canine salmon poisoning disease when salmonid fish carry the relevant infected fluke; it does not follow that every raw salmon exposure causes the disease.
Does cooking salmon remove mercury?
Cooking advice addresses microbial hazards; it does not establish that cooking removes mercury. Use a food thermometer to check cooking temperature, not to test for mercury.
Is human fish-serving advice right for pets?
No. FDA/EPA serving advice is for people, not a pet feeding prescription. The sources reviewed do not establish a universal salmon portion or mercury threshold for dogs and cats.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
