You know your dog goes crazy for the classics - chicken, peanut butter, bacon. But let's broaden their treat horizons with some fish treats!
Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the immune system, decrease inflammation, and keeps your dogs coat shiny and healthy! Not to mention, it's a great protein source - if you're looking to switch up your dog's kibble, try a salmon based one!
But let's give them a taste of what we know will be their new favorite food first - check out these three easy salmon dog treat recipes:
Fishy Dog Treats
Ingredients:
14 ounces Salmon (1 can)
7 ounces Tuna in Water (1 small can)
4 Eggs (beaten)
2 cups Flour (whole wheat)
Directions:
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine the salmon and tuna in a medium bowl. No need to drain. Add the beaten eggs followed by the flour. Stir well to thoroughly combine.
- Spread evenly in a lightly greased 12 x 16 baking pan.
- Bake for 40 minutes and cool briefly. Cut into 1/2 inch squares and divide into 5 storing bags.
Salmon & Pumpkin Dog Treats
Ingredients:
1½ cups coconut flour
1 cup canned wild caught salmon, drained
½ cup coconut oil, melted, but not hot
½ cup pumpkin puree (you can also use pureed sweet potato or squash)
4 pasture raised eggs
Directions:
- Add all of the ingredients to your food processor. Process until well blended and it easily forms a ball, when you take a little in your hand. If it feels a bit too wet, add just a little more coconut flour, but know that the coconut flour in the dough will absorb as the dough sits.
- Gently flatten the ball into a disc and place into an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the dough disc between two pieces of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out until it is about ⅛ to ¼-inch thick.
- Using desired cookie cutter shape(s), start cutting and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Don’t waste any of the dough, use the leftover scraps, roll what’s left into a rope, cut into little nuggets and bake. They make great little tiny bite-sized training treats.
- Bake 18-20 minutes, until golden brown and hard. It is important that biscuits are completely dried out or they will go bad.
- If you take them out and as they cool, if they feel moist at all, I recommend placing the biscuits in a single layer on an oven-safe cooling rack, and place into a 200ºF oven for 10-20 minutes, until they are dry, hard, crisp and have no moisture at all.
- Let cook completely and store in an airtight container for a few weeks.
Salmon Jerky Dog Treats
Ingredients:
1 lb. frozen salmon
Directions:
- Remove salmon from the freezer and allow to thaw for 10- 15 minutes, until pliable, but still frozen.
- Slice the salmon across the width into 1/4" - 1/2" strips.
- Place salmon in the dehydrator and set it to the highest temperature or "meat" setting. Dry salmon for 6 -10 hours until crunchy and dried all the way through.
- Preheat your oven to 275F and place salmon treats on a baking sheet. Allow the oven to come all the way to temperature, then cook treats for 15 minutes to kill off any harmful bacteria.
- Allow treats to cool completely before storing or packaging.