Menhaden Fish Meal

Menhaden are caught for processing into meal, oil and fish solubles. Cooking and pressing separate much of the oil from the solids. Drying those solids makes a stable protein ingredient for feed and kibble.^3,5

1. 01 // Source Whole menhaden The reduction fishery catches menhaden to make fish meal, oil and solubles.
2. 02 // Process Cook and press Heat releases water and oil; pressing separates a solid cake from the liquid.
3. 03 // Process Dry and mill Processors dry the cake, grind it into meal and stabilize it for storage.
4. 04 // Output Menhaden meal The finished dry meal retains protein, minerals and some oil after pressing.

1. 01

   Adds fish protein

   Removing water and much of the oil leaves a dry ingredient dominated by protein. It raises the recipe's animal protein without bringing in the water of whole fish.^2,3

2. 02

   Contributes some marine fat

   Pressing leaves oil in the meal, including DHA. Its contribution to a dog's diet depends on the meal used and the finished recipe.⁴

3. 03

   Draws on a large fishery

   Menhaden are the largest source of fish meal and oil made in the United States. Aquaculture also buys fish meal, so availability and competition affect its cost.^3,6

How much A trial fed 12 dogs recipes containing 3% fish meal, but did not identify the fish species or test menhaden meal separately.¹

1. Brands say

   Menhaden meal is a concentrated protein source

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   One commercial menhaden meal measured 692 g/kg crude protein on a dry matter basis. That makes its protein role clear. This trout-feed study did not measure how well dogs digest the meal.²

2. Brands say

   Menhaden meal delivers an omega-3 boost

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A NOAA report says commercial menhaden meal retains around 10% oil and identifies DHA in that residual fat. It gives no DHA amount for a finished dog food, so a meal listing cannot promise a useful dose.⁴

3. Brands say

   Menhaden meal improves itchy skin and coats

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   A 16-dog crossover trial found better itching and coat measures with measured marine-oil capsules. It tested oil, not menhaden meal. The capsule supplier helped fund the study, and a meal listing gives no comparable dose.^4,7

4. Critics say

   Fish meal is just filler

   Outruns the evidence

   Evidence

   1. Strong
   2. Some
   3. Thin
   4. None

   One tested menhaden meal was about 69% protein on a dry matter basis and also supplied fat and phosphorus. It has a nutritional job. The ingredient list shows its relative weight, not its share of the finished protein.^2,8