Chicken & Salmon With Pumpkin and New Zealand Green Mussels Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a grain-free, slow-cooked wet food for dogs of all life stages, including large-breed puppies. It uses chicken and salmon as the main protein sources, with pumpkin, peas, and carrots providing additional fiber and nutrients. New Zealand green mussels are included as a natural source of joint-supporting compounds, and the formula is complete and balanced for everyday feeding or use as a topper.
Nutritionally, this is a well-formulated grain-free wet food with animal protein at the top of the ingredient list and an appropriate nutrient profile for all life stages, including large-breed growth. The inclusion of salmon and green mussels adds marine-based omega fatty acids, which can support skin, coat, and joint health. It should work well for most dogs who do well on grain-free diets and prefer a pâté-style texture, either as a full meal or mixed with dry food.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken and salmon appear early in the ingredient list, providing good-quality animal protein in a moist, palatable format.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, including growth of large-breed dogs, so it’s suitable from puppy through adult if it agrees with your dog.
- Includes pumpkin, peas, and carrots, which can contribute fiber and help support normal digestion.
- Contains dried New Zealand green mussels, a nice added source of omega-3s and joint-supportive nutrients.
Considerations
- This is a grain-free formula that uses peas as a carbohydrate source; for dogs at higher risk of heart disease, some cardiologists currently prefer diets that are not legume-heavy, so discuss with your vet if you have concerns.
- Chicken and salmon are common protein allergens for some dogs, so this would not be appropriate if your dog has known sensitivities to poultry or fish.
- As a rich, high-moisture canned food, some dogs may need slower transitions to avoid loose stools, especially if they are used to dry food only.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
04
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
05
Agar
Agar is a seaweed-derived gelling agent and thickener commonly used in pet foods and treats to create firm textures, stabilize wet formulas, and act as a vegetarian binder, contributing soluble but largely indigestible fiber rather than significant protein or calories. Generally safe and useful for texture and stool-bulking, it provides little direct nutrition for dogs or cats and can cause loose stools or gastrointestinal upset if used in excess, so it should be included at appropriate levels in balanced formulations.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Blackwood is a premium pet food brand that offers small-batch, slow-cooked recipes for dogs and cats made in the USA. The brand targets pet owners seeking natural, high-quality nutrition with an emphasis on digestibility, freshness, and family-owned production values.
Visit BlackwoodManufacturer
Blackwood Pet Food manufactures its products in-house in the USA at USDA-inspected, AAFCO-compliant facilities. All recipes are slow-cooked in small batches to ensure better nutrient retention, with oversight on ingredient sourcing and process control.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Blackwood Chicken & Salmon With Pumpkin and New Zealand Green Mussels Wet Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Blackwood ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Blackwood. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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