Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a gently cooked, grain-free wet dog food designed for all life stages, including large-breed puppies. It uses salmon and duck as the main animal protein sources, cooked in duck bone broth with vegetables like carrot, pumpkin, and peas, plus added vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition. The moderate calorie density makes it suitable as a primary diet or as a topper for dogs who enjoy a soft, stew-like texture.
Nutritionally, this is a high-quality gently cooked wet food with salmon and duck providing the main protein, and it’s formulated to be complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed puppies. The ingredient list is straightforward, with recognizable meats and vegetables, plus a full suite of added vitamins and chelated minerals for good nutrient availability. It should work well for many dogs who do better without grains or chicken, though it may not be ideal if your dog is sensitive to fish or duck, and peas appear in the ingredient list, which some owners of at-risk breeds will want to keep in mind regarding current DCM research.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Salmon and duck are named animal proteins at the front of the ingredient list, providing good-quality protein and essential amino acids.
- AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages, including large-breed growth, which is a higher nutritional bar than adult-only diets.
- Uses gently cooked processing with a stew-in-bone-broth style, which many dogs find palatable and easy to eat, especially seniors or those with dental issues.
- Includes vegetables and superfood-style ingredients like carrot, pumpkin, and goji berry, along with chelated (proteinate) trace minerals to support overall nutrient balance.
Considerations
- Contains fish (salmon) and duck, which are common triggers for dogs with fish or poultry allergies; not suitable if your dog reacts to these proteins.
- This is a grain-free formula that includes green peas; for breeds with higher risk of heart disease, some cardiologists currently recommend being cautious with long-term use of legume-heavy, grain-free diets.
- Wet foods are less calorie-dense than dry kibble, so larger dogs may require multiple pouches per day to meet their energy needs, which some owners may find logistically challenging.
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
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.
02
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
03
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
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
Green Pea
Green peas are used in pet foods as a plant-based source of protein, starch and both soluble and insoluble fiber, often serving as a carbohydrate ingredient and binder that adds energy, texture and satiety. They supply fermentable fiber and modest vitamins and minerals that can support gut health, but their protein is less bioavailable than animal sources (important for obligate-carnivore cats), may contribute excess carbohydrate if overused, and high pea-heavy or grain-free formulations have been scrutinized—though not definitively proven—as a potential factor in canine dilated cardiomyopathy, so peas are best included in moderated, properly balanced and processed complete diets.
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
Health Extension is the flagship brand of Health Extension Pet Care, offering holistic dog and cat foods made with premium proteins and whole-food ingredients. The brand targets pet owners seeking natural, grain-inclusive, and grain-free options without artificial additives.
Visit Health ExtensionManufacturer
Health Extension Pet Care oversees manufacturing in facilities that comply with FDA and AAFCO standards. Each batch undergoes quality assurance and safety checks, and foods are made in the USA using high-quality ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Health Extension Gently Cooked Grain Free Salmon Recipe Wet Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Health Extension ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Health Extension. 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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