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Ingredient file // Animal protein

Cod

Lean fish protein, with little fish oil

Cod is a lean ocean fish used as fresh fish or recovered flesh in dog food. It supplies animal protein with little fat. The cod name alone does not tell you whether the finished food is low fat, rich in fish oil, or suitable for an allergic dog.

Cod
What it is
Atlantic or Pacific cod supplied as fresh fish or recovered flesh for use in dog food.
Made from
Atlantic or Pacific cod
Main job
Lean animal protein
Typical amount
Named recipes declare 5 to 40%
Watch for
A diagnosed cod allergy
Not the same as
Cod liver oil

Straight answer

Is Cod safe for dogs?

Read the finished food beyond the cod

Cod high on the list is a source of fish protein weighed with its water. Check the finished food's protein and fat figures, then look for added oils and other proteins nearby. For weight or joint claims, use the recipe's measured nutrients rather than the cod name.

Why it is in the food
Lean animal protein

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 97 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

1%

33 of the 3,205 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 11 brands. 17 dry dog food, 10 wet dog food, 4 frozen dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 5. In the top five of 19 foods, so it is usually a main ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

100%

Almost always listed before the salt, so there is more of it than a pinch.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.11
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 14 priced foods, 26% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

24%

of the foods that list it are from Instinct. 11 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Seafood processors fillet cod for food, leaving trimmings with recoverable flesh. A separator can collect that flesh as mince. Fillets or mince are chilled or frozen before they reach a pet food plant.5,6,7

  1. 01 // Source Caught cod Atlantic or Pacific cod enters seafood processing while fresh or kept cold after capture.
  2. 02 // Process Filleted Processors cut flesh away from the backbone, leaving trimmings that still hold usable fish.
  3. 03 // Process Flesh recovered When trimmings are minced, a separator collects flesh while holding back most skin and bone.
  4. 04 // Output Chilled or frozen cod Fillets or recovered mince arrive with their natural water still present, ready for a food recipe.

What is in it

Composition, as fed

81

% water

The average water in raw cod flesh. Cod is weighed wet on the ingredient list, so its place there overstates the fish protein left after cooking.

Water 80-83%13
Crude protein 16-19%13
Ash 1-1.4%13
Crude fat 0-0.4%13
Cod liver, fat 55-65%13

Cod flesh holds almost no fat; the oil sits in the liver. Season, fishing ground and the condition of the fish shift these figures slightly, and recovered mince can carry more bone than a clean fillet.6,13

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds animal protein

    Cod flesh contributes protein with little fat. How much protein it contributes to a finished food depends on the amount of cod in the recipe.5,13

  2. 02

    Leaves fat to formulation

    Lean cod lets a maker choose and measure added oils separately. The finished food's fat figure reflects every ingredient, including oils and other animal foods.5,10,12

  3. 03

    Recovers usable flesh

    Separating fillet trimmings yields additional flesh from fish already being processed. That recovery gives makers another supply of fish without requiring intact fillets.6

  4. 04

    Names the fish

    Cod identifies a fish on the label. That specificity is useful to buyers, although an ingredient list ranked by weight does not usually state its percentage.9,10,11,12

How much Published recipes declare 5% fresh cod in a dry food, 10% in a wet food, and 40% in a fresh food.10,11,12

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Cod gives dogs lean animal protein

    Evidence

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

    NOAA lists Atlantic and Pacific cod flesh at 17.4% and 18.0% protein as fed, with little oil. Cod is a lean protein ingredient; the finished food's fat and protein depend on the full recipe.5

  2. Brands say

    Cod is a safe protein for allergic dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    In a blinded challenge, 4 of 12 dogs reacted to cod, but about half of all dogs also reacted to placebo, with no significant difference between food and placebo reactions (p = 0.5). A separate study found 27 atopic dogs worsened after cod exposure.1,2

  3. Brands say

    Cod provides fish oil benefits for joints

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A fillet survey found 253 mg of EPA plus DHA per 100 g of Atlantic cod. A separate trial tested oil-enriched diets in 177 arthritic dogs, not cod flesh. A cod listing does not show a joint-health dose.3,4

  4. Owners say

    A cod recipe must be low fat

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    Cod flesh is lean, but added fats and other ingredients change the food. One wet recipe declares 10% fresh cod and 7% crude fat as fed. Read the finished food's analysis for fat control.5,10

  5. Owners say

    Cod contains no mercury

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    FDA's survey of 115 commercial cod samples found a mean mercury concentration of 0.111 parts per million. That is measurable, so a zero-mercury claim is false. The ingredient name does not reveal a supplier's test result.8

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is cod just filler?

    No

    Cod flesh supplies animal protein. Its low fat content lets a formulator control added fat elsewhere in the recipe. The amount used determines its contribution, so read the whole label and food analysis.5,9

  2. Q02

    Does cod first mean more fish?

    Not necessarily

    Ingredients are listed by weight, and raw cod is about 81% water. Some of that water leaves during cooking. Look at the other proteins and the finished food analysis before judging how much fish protein remains.9,13

  3. Q03

    Is cod good for allergies?

    Not by default

    Cod is a fish protein that has triggered reactions in challenge studies on allergic dogs. A diagnosed cod allergy rules it out, even when a package presents fish as an alternative protein.1,2

  4. Q04

    Is cod liver oil the same?

    No

    Cod flesh supplies mostly water and protein, with little fat. Cod liver oil comes from a different part of the fish and serves as an oil ingredient. One name does not stand in for the other.5,13

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Instinct 8 / 98
  2. Stella & Chewy's 7 / 85
  3. Orijen 5 / 25
  4. Nulo 5 / 117
  5. Annamaet 2 / 20
  6. K9 Natural 1 / 8
  7. Open Farm 1 / 44
  8. Health Extension 1 / 47
  9. Gather 1 / 3
  10. Go! Solutions 1 / 46

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Plus 1 more brand.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Salmon 33%
  2. Sunflower Oil 30%
  3. Peas 30%
  4. Flaxseed 30%
  5. Mixed Tocopherols 27%
  6. Chicken 27%
  7. Lentils 27%
  8. Carrots 24%
  9. Beef Liver 21%
  10. Beef Kidney 21%
  11. Sweet Potatoes 21%
  12. Chickpeas 21%

On the shelf

Foods that list Cod

33 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Open Farm Icelandic Cod & Herring Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOpen FarmOpen Farm Icelandic Cod & Herring Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 1 on the labelAnnamaet OHANA Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet OHANA Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelAnnamaet Sustain Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Sustain Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGather Wild Ocean Line-Caught Cod Recipe for Adult Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodGatherGather Wild Ocean Line-Caught Cod Recipe for Adult Dogs Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 1 on the labelGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodGo! SolutionsGo! Solutions Carnivore Grain-Free Salmon + Cod Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 2 on the labelK9 Natural Baked & Coated Wild-Ocean Fish Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodK9 NaturalK9 Natural Baked & Coated Wild-Ocean Fish Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelOrijen Amazing Grains, Fit & Trim Dry Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Amazing Grains, Fit & Trim Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 3 on the labelHealth Extension food Grain Free Northern Catch Wet Dog FoodHealth ExtensionHealth Extension food Grain Free Northern Catch Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Paté Puppy Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Paté Puppy Turkey, Cod & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelInstinct FreshDried Raw Meals for Puppies Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodInstinctInstinct FreshDried Raw Meals for Puppies Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog FoodFreeze-Dried // No. 5 on the label
Show 21 more
Instinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Original Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Paté Weight Management Turkey & Cod Recipe Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Paté Weight Management Turkey & Cod Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Paté Adult Trim Turkey & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Paté Adult Trim Turkey & Cod Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelInstinct Raw Longevity Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Longevity Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies Grain-Free Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 5 on the labelInstinct Raw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 5 on the labelOrijen Fit & Trim Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Fit & Trim Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 5 on the labelInstinct Raw Boost Frozen Mixers Skin & Coat Health Dog Food TopperInstinctInstinct Raw Boost Frozen Mixers Skin & Coat Health Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 5 on the labelInstinct Raw Longevity Patties Grass-Fed Beef & Wild-Caught Cod Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Longevity Patties Grass-Fed Beef & Wild-Caught Cod Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 6 on the labelInstinct Raw Longevity Bites Grass-Fed Beef & Wild-Caught Cod Recipe Frozen Dog FoodInstinctInstinct Raw Longevity Bites Grass-Fed Beef & Wild-Caught Cod Recipe Frozen Dog FoodFrozen // No. 6 on the labelOrijen Original Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Original Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Weight Management Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Weight Management Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 7 on the labelOrijen Regional Red Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Regional Red Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelOrijen Premium Tundra Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodOrijenOrijen Premium Tundra Pâté with Liver Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Whitefish & Salmon : Raw Blend Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Whitefish & Salmon : Raw Blend Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Raw Blend Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Caught Raw Blend Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Salmon Recipe with Pumpkin & Quinoa Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Salmon Recipe with Pumpkin & Quinoa Raw Coated Kibble Wholesome Grains Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 9 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish Raw Coated Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild-Caught Whitefish Raw Coated Kibble Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Whitefish & Salmon : Raw Coated Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s SuperBlends Whitefish & Salmon : Raw Coated Oven Baked Kibble with Superfoods, Antioxidants & Probiotics Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Ocean Fish Recipe, Raw Coated Kibble - Protein Rich Poultry Free with Grain Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Ocean Fish Recipe, Raw Coated Kibble - Protein Rich Poultry Free with Grain Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelStella & Chewy’s Wild Red Grain Free : Whole Prey Ocean Fish Recipe, Raw Coated Dry Dog FoodStella & Chewy'sStella & Chewy’s Wild Red Grain Free : Whole Prey Ocean Fish Recipe, Raw Coated Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelBlue Carnivora Adult Coastal Blend Dry Dog FoodBlueBlue Carnivora Adult Coastal Blend Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 19 on the label

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Deboned Cod

Sources

What we read

Checked October 24, 2026.

  1. 1 Randomised, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Challenge Test With Single Food Items in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis and Adverse Food Reactions Veterinary Dermatology, 2026 // Journal
  2. 2 IgE reactivity to fish allergens from Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) in atopic dogs BMC Veterinary Research, 2020 // Journal
  3. 3 Dose-Titration Effects of Fish Oil in Osteoarthritic Dogs Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2010 // Journal
  4. 4 Fatty Acid Profiles of Commercially Available Finfish Fillets in the United States Lipids, 2014 // Journal
  5. 5 Nutritional Properties of Recreationally Caught Marine Fishes Marine Fisheries Review, NOAA, 1987 // Government
  6. 6 Minced Fish Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. // Government
  7. 7 Utilization and processing of fisheries and aquaculture production Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2022 // Government
  8. 8 Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish (1990-2012) U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. // Government
  9. 9 What's in the Ingredients List? AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  10. 10 Monge Fresh Pate and Chunkies With Cod Fish Monge, 2023 // Industry
  11. 11 Fish Dog Food | Cod & Haddock Recipe Beco, n.d. // Industry
  12. 12 Cod Crew Tuggs, n.d. // Industry
  13. 13 The Cod Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. // Government
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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