Salmon

As a protein source, yes. Dehydrated salmon is a much more concentrated source of protein than fresh salmon.

Salmon is an oily fish used in cat food for protein and omega-3 fatty acids. FDA and EPA mercury advice written for people puts salmon on its Best Choices list, the lowest mercury group. Fish is also one of the most common food allergens in cats, so some cats react to it. If your cat has a food allergy or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before changing foods.

Source: fda.gov

Salmon adds animal protein and omega-3 fats from a named fish. Many cats like its flavor, and it gives owners a choice beyond chicken or beef. You will find it as fresh salmon, salmon meal or dehydrated salmon, and in wet, dry and freeze-dried foods. It is one of the most common fish in dry cat food on Pettings.

Raw fish and meat carry a risk of bacteria. An FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine study found that raw pet foods were more likely than other types to test positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. FDA also flagged a risk for the owners handling them. Salmon in commercial dry food is cooked. Ask your veterinarian before feeding raw salmon.

Source: fda.gov

Neither is better for every cat. Both are animal proteins, and the full recipe matters more than one ingredient. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists both fish and chicken among the most common food allergens in cats and notes some experimental evidence of cross-reactivity between chicken and salmon, though its clinical relevance is unclear. A veterinarian can help pick a protein for a cat with allergies.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Pettings gives salmon 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 32 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It earns the top score as a named fish protein. Each food's page shows how the whole recipe scores overall.