Treats – Dried Reef Fish for Dogs

Is fish good for dogs?

Can dogs eat fish? Yes, absolutely! Seafood products are packed full of essential nutrients fish for dogs. Fish for dogs is both perfectly safe and very nutritious for dogs to consume as part of a balanced diet. Key nutrients found in fish products include omega 3 fatty acids (more on this below) as well as beneficial proteins, amino acids and vitamin D. Collectively, these nutrients are important for the early development of muscles, eyes, heart and the brain. Later in life these nutrients work to support joint and teeth health and can have incredible results in promoting good skin & coat condition, whilst also reducing itching.

However, certain sources of seafood are preferable over others. Low temperature dehydrated fish for dogs are an optimum way to include the benefits of seafood in your dog’s diet. This process ensures that all of the key nutrients and oils are maintained in the fish for dogs, which would otherwise be lost through the application of heat during the cooking process. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feed cooked fish, however it’s worth noting that while cooked fish such as tinned sardines provide a good source of protein, these types of fish products don’t have quite the same nutritional value.

While fish for dogs itself is not harmful to dogs, but the way we prepare it can cause problems. Fish cooked in too much oil can cause upset in dogs and can even lead to illness. Salt and seasonings may also cause serious health problems for dogs, especially if they contain toxic ingredients, like garlic. In summary, it’s important to ensure that fish in your doggo’s diet is natural and additive free.

Dogs with allergies and sensitivities

Fish treats have hypoallergenic properties and are a popular choice for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. The fatty acids in seafood can be particularly effective in treating or lessening the symptoms of skin irritations and allergies. Fish is also a good alternative for dogs with food allergies to more common ingredients, like chicken. Therefore, fish may be an important component of your dog’s daily diet if they require a hypoallergenic, novel source of protein to manage medical conditions such as allergies, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Can you feed dogs fish bones?

It’s important to note that fish bones should be avoided where possible in both their raw and cooked form. Dependant on the species of fish, these bones are usually small and quite sharp, meaning that they can easily become lodged in the throat or other parts of the digestive system.

Low-temperature sardines and fish tails are the exception to the rule here. These crumbly bones are perfectly safe (and even beneficial) for doggos to consume. If in doubt, you can break up any bones with your hands before feeding – if the bones crumble or break easily and don’t have any sharp bits, then they’re perfectly safe to feed.

How much fish for dogs?

Reef fish for dogs are ideal for dietary supplementation, however are not suitable as a complete food source. We recommend feeding one or two fish dog treats per day to supplement a complete balanced diet, with some suggestions below;

• One whole green lipped mussel per 10kg of bodyweight for a joint health boost
• A larger, chunky chew (such as a fish tail or chewy skin scroll) fed as an enrichment treat
• Several sardines or cartilage crispies served as a meal topper
• Mission Beach Fish as a training treat (best carried in a plastic bag if you don’t want fishy pockets)

If your dog has any medical conditions or particular requirements we recommended seeking veterinary advice on how best to incorporate fish into your dog’s diet. Your vet will guide you on the amount of fish dog treats to feed your dog based on their age, weight, activity levels and medical needs.