Fish Meal

Yes. Fish meal contains omega-3 fatty acids that support skin, coat and joint health.

Fish meal is fish that has been cooked, with most of its water and some of its oil removed, then dried and ground. AAFCO explains that rendering removes most of the water and fat, leaving mainly protein and minerals. The label usually does not name the fish species. For a cat with a fish allergy or other medical condition, ask your veterinarian.

Source: aafco.org

Fish meal adds concentrated protein to dry food. It supplies much more protein per weight than fresh fish, and the bones add calcium and phosphorus. Many cats like the taste of fish, which can help them accept a food. It may also appear on labels as ocean fish meal.

It means the label does not tell you which fish were used. Fish meal can come from one species or a mix, and the mix can change between batches. That matters if your cat has a food allergy, because you cannot tell whether it contains a fish your cat reacts to. Pettings scores named fish meals, such as herring meal, higher for this reason.

It can, and the label should say so. The FDA requires ethoxyquin to be declared when it is added to animal food directly or as part of an ingredient, using a statement such as ethoxyquin, a preservative. FDA also sets a limit of 150 parts per million in the complete animal food. Look for that statement in the ingredient list.

Source: fda.gov

Pettings gives fish meal 4 out of 5 and lists it as fish meal with the species not named. It appears on 39 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It scores one point below named fish meals because the label does not say which fish. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.