Boreal Canadian-Made Line — Wet Dog Food Review
CanadaPetPicks.ca Score: 4.5 / 5 | Single product review | Made in Canada | All life stages | BPA and epoxy free cans
Where to Buy
- Boreal store locator — independent Canadian pet stores
- Global Pet Foods — widely stocked nationally
Overview
The Boreal Canadian Atlantic Salmon canned dog food is part of the Canadian-Made Line — the flagship wet dog food range from Boreal Pet Foods, headquartered in Beamsville, Ontario. This is a single-protein, limited ingredient recipe built around farm-raised Canadian Atlantic salmon. It is grain-free, gum-free, gluten-free, and potato-free, with 94% of protein sourced from meat and fish. Cans are BPA-free and epoxy-free — a meaningful packaging distinction at this price point.
Our Assessment
The Boreal Canadian Atlantic Salmon is one of the strongest single-protein wet dog foods produced in Canada. The ingredient list is clean, short, and transparently sourced — Canadian salmon leading, followed by fish broth and herring, with low-glycemic beans and peas as the primary carbohydrate source. The absence of gums, artificial thickeners, grains, and potato puts it well ahead of most canned competitors in ingredient quality at this price tier.
The 94% meat protein claim is credible given the ingredient list — the first three ingredients are all animal-sourced, and beans and peas appear in moderate quantities. The chelated mineral package adds genuine nutritional value beyond what most canned foods offer. BPA-free and epoxy-free cans are a meaningful distinction for owners concerned about can lining safety.
The primary consideration for owners is cost — at roughly $6-$9 per can, feeding a medium or large dog exclusively on this food adds up quickly. Most owners use it as a daily topper over Boreal dry food, or rotate it with other proteins in the Canadian-Made Line. As a sole diet for small dogs or as a high-value topper, it represents excellent value relative to its ingredient quality.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Ingredient quality | 5.0 / 5 |
| Canadian sourcing | 5.0 / 5 |
| Nutritional profile | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value for money | 3.5 / 5 |
| Palatability (owner reports) | 4.5 / 5 |
| CanadaPetPicks Score | 4.5 / 5 |
Best For
- Dogs with fish protein preference or chicken/beef sensitivities
- Owners prioritising Canadian-sourced single protein wet food
- Use as a daily topper over dry kibble
- Dogs with early kidney concerns (low phosphorus and sodium)
- All life stages including puppies and gestating females
Ingredients
Salmon, Fish Broth, Herring, Beans, Peas, Whole Egg, Carrots, Calcium Carbonate, Flaxseed, Monosodium Phosphate, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Choline Chloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pea Fiber, Dried Blueberries, Dried Blackberries, Dried Apples, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Cranberries, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin E Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-poly-phosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Sodium Selenite, Niacin Supplement, D-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid.
The first three ingredients are all animal-sourced protein: salmon, fish broth, and herring. This is an exceptionally clean opening for a canned dog food. Beans and peas appear fourth and fifth — these are low-glycemic carbohydrate sources consistent with Boreal philosophy, though they do contribute plant-based protein to the overall count. Whole egg sixth adds further digestible protein and fat. Carrots and a blend of dried fruits (blueberries, blackberries, apples, pomegranate, cranberries) provide antioxidants. The chelated mineral package (zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex) — marketed as Availa-Pet — ensures superior mineral absorption compared to inorganic mineral sources.
No artificial colours, no gums, no thickeners, no salt added beyond what appears in the mineral compounds. The ingredient list is notably short for a complete wet food — a genuine limited ingredient formulation rather than a marketing claim.
Feeding Guide
| Dog Weight | Daily Amount |
|---|---|
| 3 — 12 lbs (1.5 — 5.5 kg) | 3/8 to 1 can |
| 12 — 20 lbs (5.5 — 9.5 kg) | 1 to 1.5 cans |
| 20 — 35 lbs (9.5 — 15.5 kg) | 1.5 to 2 cans |
| 35 — 50 lbs (15.5 — 22.5 kg) | 2 to 2.75 cans |
| 50 — 75 lbs (22.5 — 33.5 kg) | 2.75 to 3.67 cans |
| 75 — 100 lbs (33.5 — 45.5 kg) | 3.67 to 4.83 cans |
| 100 lbs+ (45.5 kg+) | 4.83 cans + 1/3 can per additional 10 lbs |
Puppies: feed up to twice the adult rate. Lactating or gestating females: up to three times the adult rate. All life stages AAFCO compliant.
At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Brand | Boreal Pet Foods |
| Product | Canadian Atlantic Salmon Canned Dog Food |
| Line | Canadian-Made Line (wet dog food) |
| Made in | Canada 🍁 |
| Primary protein | Canadian farm-raised Atlantic salmon |
| Can sizes | 369g (13oz) and 566g (20oz) |
| Calories | 406 kcal / 369g can | 110 kcal / 100g |
| Protein from meat/fish | 94% |
| AAFCO profile | All life stages (puppies included) |
| Grain free | Yes |
| Gum free | Yes |
| Potato free | Yes |
| BPA free cans | Yes — epoxy-free too |
| Approx. price (CAD) | $5.99 – $8.99 per can (varies by retailer) |
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | As Fed | Dry Matter Basis (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Protein (min) | 10.00% | ~45.5% |
| Crude Fat (min) | 8.00% | ~36.4% |
| Crude Fibre (max) | 1.00% | ~4.5% |
| Moisture (max) | 78.00% | — |
| Ash (max) | 1.00% | ~4.5% |
| Calcium (min) | 0.30% | ~1.4% |
| Phosphorus (min) | 0.22% | ~1.0% |
| Magnesium (max) | 0.04% | ~0.18% |
| Zinc (min) | 50 mg/kg | — |
| Vitamin A (min) | 2,000 IU/kg | — |
| Vitamin D3 (min) | 80 IU/kg | — |
| Vitamin E (min) | 14 IU/kg | — |
On a dry matter basis the protein content is approximately 45.5% — well above average for wet dog food. Fat is approximately 36.4% dry matter, reflecting the naturally high fat content of salmon. Estimated carbohydrates are very low, consistent with Boreal near-zero carb claim for the Canadian-Made Line. Low phosphorus (0.22% as fed) and low magnesium (0.04% as fed) make this a suitable option for dogs with early-stage kidney concerns under veterinary guidance.
Where to Buy
- Boreal store locator — independent Canadian pet stores
- Global Pet Foods — widely stocked nationally
- Amazon Canada — search for Boreal pet food
Disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. If you purchase through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our ratings or recommendations.
