CELEBRATION OF THE SEA
Why we love exceptional sea produce
There’s nothing quite like the sea.
It’s powerful. Pure. Nourishing. Teeming with ingredients valued for flavour, quality and natural nutritional benefits.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, fish and sea-sourced ingredients have always been part of our our ethos. Not as a trend. Not as an option. But as one of nature most exquisite sources of nutrition, variation and flavour.
From trout, herring and seasonal fish to our Scottish salmon from small-scale local producers, the sea is a source of some of the most beneficial ingredients we can serve our dogs and cats.
Which is why this blog celebrates:
Sea-sourced ingredients.
The natural nutritional value of fish.
The flavour so many dogs and cats adore.
The meals that make a noticeable difference to animal health and well-being.
Why fish?
Because ingredients from the sea hold the benefits we value: purity, variation and natural nutrition, and a story that begins long before the meal is served in the bowl.
Fish is a natural source of high-grade animal protein, which supports muscle mass maintenance. Oily fish species are also natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, which are often linked to skin and coat health, and all-round nutritional balance.
In addition, fish are a natural source of nutrients like iodine, selenium and vitamin D, depending on the species, ingredient and recipe.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, fish is never just about protein, fatty acids or micronutrients.
It’s about the all-round benefits
About flavour. About variation. About digestibility. About quality. About origin. And it’s about creating meals with appeal because we care. That’s why sea-sourced ingredients have earned a rightful place in several of our most cherished meals and delicacies.
THE OMEGA 3 OIL 500ML
salmon. An incredibly rich source of omega-3 & match made in heaven for fussy eaters
BALANCE PÂTÉ, 400G
salmon & psyllium husk
For us, a meal is never merely a combination of ultra-premium ingredients
Because our meals are composed with care to serve a purpose. Every ingredient has to make sense. Every protein source has to provide benefit. And every recipe reflects the uncompromising standard ESSENTIAL FOODS abides by.
As ESSENTIALS’ founder Christian Degner-Elsner puts it:
“We have so much to tell and unpack here. The salmon we use is not from mega sea factories, but from smaller, local Scottish businesses — and that creates a completely different outcome from A to Z. It is expensive, but real value for money.”
For us, this is exactly what makes the difference.
Not only what we use.
But where it comes from.
How it is produced.
And why we choose it.
Small Scottish businesses. Big difference
When it comes to Scottish salmon, we’re not just talking a single ingredient.
We’re talking origin. A skilled trade. Accountability. And quality that is appreciable all the way from the harvested produce to the final meal you serve. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we don’t use sea-sourced ingredients because of their exclusive cachet.
We use them because they come up to our standard.
We source produce that matches our mission to create some of the world’s best meals for dogs and cats with quality, care and an uncompromising approach to flavour and nutrition.
That means we prioritise ingredients with a traceable origin. Ingredients from businesses that commit to quality. And ingredients that support the premium meal experience ESSENTIAL FOODS is renowned for.
Because sea-sourced produce not only provides nutrition.
It adds character.
That’s why we love fish. And that’s why we celebrate the sea.
Sea-sourced nutrition
Fresh, nutritious and characterful.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we see fish as far more than a source of protein.
We see it as an exquisite, savoury and naturally valuable meal component, where every ingredient is selected with precision, care and uncompromising respect for quality.
From mild trout and filling herring to seasonal fish and our choice Scottish salmon, sea-sourced produce provides high-grade animal protein, naturally-occurring nutrients, and the special depth of flavour that makes the meal more than nutrition.
Variation is an important part of the ESSENTIAL FOODS ethos.
That’s why we source a wide range of ingredients from the sea, including trout, herring, seasonal fish and Scottish salmon.
Each ingredient adds its own distinctive character
Scottish salmon is a choice ingredient with authentic origin, nutrient-density and finesse. Scottish salmon is one of the most prized marine ingredients for its rich flavour, natural fattiness and distinct quality. It provides high-grade protein, valuable omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, along with micronutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Why we love Scottish salmon: Rich, appetising flavour. Natural fats and omega-3*. Provides EPA and DHA. Selected for its origin and quality. A refined ingredient with premium character. An ingredient for natural satiety, finesse and transparent origin.
Trout is a delicious ingredient with nutritional finesse. Trout is an exquisite mild, full-flavoured source of fish protein, carefully chosen for its digestibility, appetising texture and natural nutritional value. It provides high-grade protein, valuable omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus and potassium.Why we love trout: Mild and delicious fish flavour and texture. High-grade protein. Natural source of omega-3. Provides B vitamins and minerals. An exquisite element in our sea-sourced nutritional ethos. An ingredient for calm, purity and finesse.
Selected according to seasonality. Seasonal fish is not one standard ingredient, but a carefully selected variation of fresh fish, selected according to season, quality and availability. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we use the fish of the season as a savoury accompaniment to salmon, trout and herring to add freshness, variety and natural marine character to the meal. Why we love seasonal fish: Selected for prime quality. Provides high-grade animal protein. Adds natural variation to the meal. Typically provides valuable micro- and macronutrients. A versatile, flavour-rich element of our sea-sourced nutritional ethos. Because we love freshness, variety and character.
Herring is a savoury ingredient with natural depth. Herring is an intense, characterful source of fish protein, valued for its rich flavour, high content of healthy fish oil and nutritional abundance. As an oily fish, herring provides omega-3 fatty acids, high-grade protein and naturally occurring nutrients like vitamin D, B12, selenium, phosphorus and iodine. Why we love herring: Rich, full-flavoured taste. Naturally oily fish packed with omega-3. Provides vitamin D and B12. A source of selenium, phosphorus and iodine. Provides depth, intensity and high nutritional density. An ingredient for flavour, character and natural satiety.
Cod is a pure ingredient with lightness and nutritional balance. Cod is an exquisite, mild and lean source of fish protein, carefully chosen for its clean flavour, fine texture and natural nutritional value. It provides high-grade protein and has a naturally lean profile, making it an exquisite ingredient in meals where lightness, flavour and nutrition are balanced to perfection. Cod also provides micronutrients such as B vitamins, selenium, phosphorus, potassium and iodine. Why we love cod: Mild and clean fish profile. High-grade protein. Naturally lean source of fish protein. Provides B vitamins and minerals. An exquisite, highly-digestible element in our sea-sourced nutritional ethos. An ingredient for purity, calm and natural balance.
Sprats are tiny fish with colossal nutritional value. Sprats are small, richly flavoured fish with a naturally nourishing profile, carefully selected for their intense flavour, valuable fatty acids and nutrient density. They provide high-grade protein, valuable omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin D, selenium, phosphorus and potassium. As small whole fish, sprats, add special character to our sea-sourced nutritional ethos. Why we love sprats: Tiny fish packed with flavour. High-grade protein. Natural source of omega-3. Provide B vitamins and minerals. A characterful element in our sea-sourced nutritional ethos. An ingredient for flavour intensity, nutrient-density and natural finesse.
Sea-sourced produce. The ESSENTIALS ethos
Fish, BOF and grain-free thinking.
In the ESSENTIAL FOODS ethos, sea-sourced ingredients never stand alone.
They are part of a wider story about the ideal meal composition that respects true canine and feline nature with ingredients selected for their quality and benefits, and with an uncompromising mission to make every meal an exceptional experience.
Our meals are grain-free and free from needless fillers. They are formulated according to our BOF (Behaviour Optimising Food) principle of perfectly balancing a high content of animal produce, carefully sourced ingredients and blood sugar stability for all-round health over time.
BOF. Grain free. Exceptional ingredients.
Not as unique selling points. But as a natural element of the ESSENTIAL FOODS meals ethos.
NAUTICAL captures our love of the sea
From Our finest NAUTICAL LIVING to The NAUTICAL LIVING PÂTÉ, Our finest BEGINNING LARGE BREED – NAUTICAL EDITION and The BEGINNING NAUTICAL PÂTÉ, the collection is formulated for different life phases, needs and mealtime moments, but with the same uncompromising approach to quality, flavour and nutrition.
Many customers choose NAUTICAL because they prefer fish as the main protein source. Others opt for this collection for variety, strong meal appeal, glossy coat, healthy skin or because word of mouth from other ESSENTIAL customers speaks loud and clear.
Because our customers’ own personal testimony has become a vital part of the NAUTICAL story.
When we hear about glossier coats, brighter eyes, improved well-being and dogs who love their meals, we are reminded of why we are so invested.
Not in adding to our product portfolio.
But in creating meals that become a daily staple.
Part and parcel of your life together.
For the ultimate in health and well-being.
NAUTICAL is our celebration of the sea – served as exceptional meals for dogs in all key life phases.
"We noticed that our dog had started scratching, especially around her eye. That got us wondering if Nautical Living might be good to try. Her eye is so much better, and both her digestion and itchiness generally have also improved. Plus, it’s just so easy to switch between the different Essential meals."
- Nike Nilsson, Sweden
Explore the Nautical Living menu
Created with sea-sourced ingredients as the foundation and with the natural nutritional benefits, clean taste and characterful profile of fish at the fore.
NAUTICAL LIVING, 2.5KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, seasonal fresh fish
NAUTICAL LIVING, 10KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, seasonal fresh fish
BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION, 10KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, the season’s fish & whole eggs
A celebration worth serving
A tribute to sea-sourced ingredients and all the benefits they bring.
Clean taste.
Natural nutrition.
Omega-3 fatty acids.
Produce with origin, quality and character.
Meals that become a daily staple.
And those little rewards that make bonding time all the more special.
Because the sea not only belongs in the bowl.
It also belongs to those in-between moments.
That’s why we’ve put together our sea-inspired treats collection – created to pamper with flavour, texture and sea-sourced produce.
From our range of FISH DELIGHTS to FINEST SALMON and TINY CRACKERS SEA, each variety is formulated for those moments when a titbit is more than just a reward.
A little taste of the sea.
A delicious snack.
A special moment.
A vital component of the ESSENTIAL FOODS ethos.
This is our Celebration of the Sea
Served as exceptional meals, delectable toppings and irresistible treats
FINEST SALMON & PARSLEY SMALL SAUSAGES
salmon. Just pure luxurious goodness
LAKE & SEA TINY CRACKERS
freshly prepared salmon, white fish, trout & sweet potatoes
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