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Skipjack

895 foods contain this ingredient

Protein Fish allergen group

This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.

About Skipjack

Skipjack is a smaller tuna species used in pet food and treats as a palatable, protein-dense fish ingredient.

Skipjack (skipjack tuna) is used in dog and cat foods as a highly palatable fish protein and flavor source, supplying complete amino acids, omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) for skin, coat, joint and cognitive support, and trace minerals such as iodine. It is generally lower in mercury than larger tuna species but can still contribute to heavy‑metal exposure if fed in large amounts, may trigger fish allergies in some pets, and should be included as part of a balanced, properly processed diet (raw fish can contain thiaminase and pathogens if not handled correctly).

Related ingredients

Tuna
Derived from
skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis)
Primary role
palatability enhancer and animal protein source

Why it's used

Skipjack has a strong natural flavor that pets tend to find highly palatable, which is why it shows up often in treats and toppers as well as complete diets. It also contributes complete amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids typical of fish protein.

Common concerns

  • Mercury relative to other tuna FDA testing data from 1990 to 2012 lists canned light tuna (predominantly skipjack, though it can include yellowfin) with a mean mercury concentration around 0.126 ppm, notably lower than albacore tuna's mean of roughly 0.350 ppm in the same dataset.
  • Thiaminase if fed raw Some fish contain thiaminase, an enzyme documented by the Merck Veterinary Manual to degrade thiamine and contribute to thiamine deficiency, most often reported in cats fed largely raw fish diets; cooking inactivates the enzyme.
  • Fish allergy Fish is listed by VCA Animal Hospitals among the more common food allergens identified in cats, and appears less frequently among documented allergens in dogs.

Also relevant

Skipjack matures and is harvested younger than large, long-lived tuna species like bluefin, which is generally why it and other smaller tuna test lower for mercury in FDA sampling.

3 sources cited

Common Questions

What category is Skipjack?

Skipjack is categorized as a protein ingredient in the KibbleLab database.

Is Skipjack part of an allergen group?

Yes. Skipjack is grouped under the Fish allergen group in the KibbleLab database.

Which foods contain Skipjack?

895 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Skipjack, including Fussie Cat.

Foods with Skipjack

Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.

Fussie Cat
Chicken With Beef in Goat Milk Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Chicken With Beef in Goat Milk Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Chicken With Duck in Goat Milk Recipe Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Chicken With Tuna In Gravy Pouch Recipe Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Chicken With Tuna In Gravy Pouch Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Mousse Chicken With Pumpkin Entrée in Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.7
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Mousse Mackerel With Pumpkin Entrée in Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.3
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Mousse Oceanfish With Pumpkin Entrée In Gravy
8.7
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Mousse Sardine With Pumpkin Entrée in Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.3
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Mousse Tuna With Pumpkin Entrée In Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.1
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Pate Oceanfish With Salmon Entree in Gravy Wet Cat Food
8.4
Fussie Cat
Fine Dining Pate Tuna With Shrimp Entree in Gravy
8.8
Fussie Cat
Mackerel in Gravy Pouch Recipe Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Market Fresh Tuna Recipe Dry Cat Food
8.4
Fussie Cat
Ocean Fish In Gravy Pouch Recipe Wet Cat Food
7.5
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna Formula In Aspic Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Anchovies Formula In Aspic Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Chicken Formula Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Chicken Liver Formula Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Clams Formula In Aspic Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Mussels Formula In Aspic Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Mussels Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Ocean Fish Formula In Aspic Wet Cat Food
8.2
Fussie Cat
Premium Tuna With Ocean Fish Formula Wet Cat Food
8.2

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