This spring, Vital Pet Life debuts its brand new ASC-certified and labeled ‘Only Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats’ on shelves at over 1,600 Walmart stores across the U.S.
The launch marks a milestone for both Vital Pet Life, a woman owned, purpose-driven brand, and for the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) as the nonprofit organization expands into the North American pet space.
Only Salmon Oil features a single seafood ingredient: responsibly farmed salmon oil. The product’s ASC certification means the salmon has been third-party certified against the world’s strictest standards for seafood farming, which shoppers can immediately identify and trace by the sea green ASC label on each bottle.
In addition to meeting ASC’s rigorous requirements, which address fish welfare, improved farming practices, environmental impacts and employee livelihood, Only Salmon Oil is ORIVO-verified, contains no fillers or artificial ingredients, and is packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids to support optimal pet health. People have embraced the push for protein and their pets are following trend, with fish-based proteins gaining particular interest in the pet sector for their Omega-3 benefits linked to skin and coat health.
As the search for clean, healthy, high-quality pet products grows – with one in three pet owners reportedly spending more on their pets than their own health each month – demands for greater sustainability, traceability, and responsibly sourced ingredients are increasing at the customer and company level. There is a major benefit to clearly communicating value and trust at point of sale through certification labels that represent real, measurable impact.
“We view our success through the lens of our customers’ experiences and feedback,” said Donie Yamamoto, CEO and Co-Founder, Vital Pet Life. “A growing majority of pet parents prioritize transparency and third-party verified sustainability claims, confirming they care about what they buy and how it impacts the climate and oceans, as well as their pets’ health. We formulated Only Salmon Oil for the pet owner who reads labels and asks questions about where these products come from. We chose to source ASC-certified salmon and highlight the ASC label on Our Only Salmon Oil to demonstrate the highest assurance and strictest standards behind our product. We’re proud to bring this level of transparency to Walmart shelves nationwide.”
Certified Seafood a Critical Ingredient to Expansion
Salmon as an ingredient in dog food and treats saw over 2.1 million year-over-year sales growth, according to 2025 Nielsen data, with the pet supplement market headed into double-digit growth in 2026 and beyond. Now in the fifth year of its national marketing campaign and commercial expansion across North America, ASC is going beyond its pioneering Feed Standard to drive positive change in the pet industry.
Rooted in its commitment to fish welfare through responsible aquaculture, ASC’s growth into pet care reflects a holistic view of animal wellbeing. The organization has increased engagement with pet brands, co-packers, producers and retailers industry-wide, attending Superzoo and presenting this March at Global Pet Expo, alongside the Pet Sustainability Coalition and Marine Stewardship Council, to address how sustainable ingredient sourcing adds value to products. ASC will be at Pet Food Forum, April 27-29.
“Pet owners have become increasingly scrupulous of the ingredients that are in the food, treats and supplements they feed their furry friends,” said Erica Tardiff, Market Development Manager, ASC. “Having the ASC label on packaging assures that the fish used in those pet products is not only farmed with care, but traceable. Just like the seafood we eat, people want to know that their pets’ products have a high level of integrity. Vital Pet Life sets an example for the industry by diligently sourcing and testing their ingredients, showing that companies can drive meaningful change with transparent business practices and science-based collaboration.”
While Vital Pet Life’s Only Salmon Oil joins a growing number of premium ASC-labeled pet products offering shoppers the added benefit of positive environmental and social impacts, it is the first and only pet supplement oil to carry the ASC label in the U.S.
Only Salmon Oil is available at select Walmart stores nationwide and online at the Walmart website.