Jack’s Premium, a family-owned Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.-based pet food company, recently announced the launch of Salmon Skin Chips, a new treat for dogs and cats made with twice-smoked salmon.
The treat debuted at the 2023 DockDogs World Championship, a canine aquatic dog competition that took place 11 to 15 October in Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.A. Jack’s Premium was one of the event’s sponsors and distributed Salmon Skin Chips to all participants.
“We are always seeking opportunities with groups that are all about pets. Dock dogs is a national organization that promotes agility events with a sanctioned approach to provide structure and ability to hold championships where there is a qualification process to be able to attend,” Jack’s Premium Co-Founder Luke Clasby told SeafoodSource. “Although we are known to provide very high-value reward treats, the salmon skins just seem to take it to a whole next level. We have received excellent feedback from trainers across America, and that played a part in our decision to release the product during the DockDogs World Championship.”
Jack’s Premium purchases salmon trims and skins for the treat, which are parts of the fish that companies often discard. It sources its salmon from various distributors and suppliers, with Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.A.-based Fruge Seafood and Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-based Vita Foods as the top two.
“The seafood industry needs to understand that there are buyers for the excess and not necessarily [just for] tonnage or loads, as there are more and more smaller manufacturers seeking supply,” Jack’s Premium Business Consultant Lawrence Clasby told SeafoodSource.
The pet food company specializes in handcrafted dog and cat treats without the use of artificial ingredients, and began to incorporate salmon as a part of its product portfolio particularly to appeal to pets that have dietary sensitivities to meat.
“We sought out local supply as our plans were to produce fresh and frozen ready-to-eat meals featuring salmon as the protein source. It worked with local customers but gave us logistical issues, which kept us from expanding that line,” Clasby said. “In the meantime, we had negotiated special rates on the skins and trim, which we turned into treats, and they quickly became top sellers – local and online – without shipping issues. Salmon seems to be regarded as a high-reward treat by both dogs and their owners.”
The Salmon Skin Chips have been successful enough thus far that Jack’s Premium is actively seeking larger producers.
“Salmon is the perfect ingredient,” Clasby said. “It is the perfect blend of protein and extremely healthy fats. We are huge fans of the skins, as most of the oils reside between the skin and the meat.”
The company, created in 2018 by siblings Luke and Madison Clasby, initially began distribution at the local Dallas Farmers Market before progressing to the national distribution it has now. Madison works as the daily operations and product procurement manager, and Luke manages the processing, intake, smoking, cooking, and packaging side; their father, Lawrence Clasby, works as the company’s consultant.
The company has expanded its product portfolio continually throughout its five years of existence and now sells meat- and seafood-based cat and dog food treats, including products made with beef, chicken, rabbit, salmon, and minnows, among other protein options.
Photo courtesy of Jack's Premium
