Is Dehydrated Fish Good for Dogs? (Solved & Explained!)

Dehydrated fish in your dog’s diet is super healthy! Not only is it high in protein and nutrients, but it has many other benefits such as cleaning your dogs’ teeth and improving its digestive health. Many dog owners give their dogs dehydrated fish treats, just be sure not to give them too many to prevent stomach problems.

The rest of this article will go into detail on the benefits and risks of giving your dog dehydrated fish, the types of dehydrated fish available and how to make your own dog treats.

What is Dehydrated Fish?

Dehydrated fish is created by removing the water from normal fish. There are many methods of drying out the fish, the most popular being through heating the air around the fish. The process of drying fish usually takes anywhere between two and eight days, depending on the species and size of the fish being dried.

What is the Difference Between Normal and Dehydrated Fish?

Rather than cooking the fish for your dog, why noy leave it dry? Veterinarians and animal researchers suggest leaving it dry as it keeps the healthy nutrients intact! By dehydrating fish like this the nutrients are maintained, thus making it a much healthier option for dogs.

What are the Different Types of Dehydrated Fish?

There are many different types of fish you can use to turn into delicious, dried fish treats for your dog. Many people choose to add herring or salmon to their dogs’ diets! It is recommended that you use lean fish instead of oily fish though as oily fish is much harder to dehydrate.

What is the Best Type of Fish to Give my Dog?

Fish with shorter lifespans such as salmon, herring and flounder are recommended over fish with longer lifespans like tuna as these fish are often found to contain some metals like mercury which when ingested by your dog can lead to harmful metal toxicity.

What are the Nutritional Benefits of Giving My Dog Fish?

Dehydrated fish is rich in many important nutrients for your dog. Not only is it very high in protein but it is also low in saturated fats meaning it’s great for weight control! Fish is also a great source of antioxidants meaning no painful joints for your four-legged friend. Important fatty acids and Omega oils are also benefits of eating fish.

Are There Any Other Health Benefits?

The oil from fish is great for your dog’s skin and fur, keeping it smooth and healthy.

Get Our #1 Easy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Vet-Approved), 100% Free!!! Click to get it NOW!

Dehydrated fish is also a great way to clean your dog’s teeth. The hard texture of the dried fish allows for easy removal of plaque through the motion of chewing.

What are the Disadvantages of Giving My Dog Fish?

Due to the need for additional processing, dehydrated foods are more costly than other diets, however, having a healthier diet for you dog will reduce the need for veterinary visits long-term and this means less cost for treatments.

Are There Any Dangers?

Dehydrated fish is extremely healthy for your dog and many people give dried fish skin treats to their dog as it is very nutritious. These treats are very good for your dog, the only side effect being an upset stomach if your dog eats too many! 

Should I Give My Dog Meat or Fish?

Many pet owners wonder if meat or fish is better for their dogs, and most people opt for meat. However, a study reported in the USDA Nutrient Database discovered that fish is the better protein source, based on its nutrient composition and protein quality.

Is dehydrated fish high in cholesterol?

Dogs do not experience negative effects of high cholesterol food like we humans do, so you do not have to worry about the cholesterol content in the fish you feed your pet.

How Much Fish Can I Feed My Dog?

According to American Kennel Club, only 10 percent of your dog’s daily diet should be treats. Be sure to control the portion sizes you give your dog to avoid too much weight gain!

Talk to your vet to be sure about the correct portion sizes to give to your dog as their specific breed or size may impact how much they can eat. Generally speaking, you want to avoid feeding fish to overweight or obese dogs due to fat content – in those cases you’ll want to talk with your vetenarian so that they can perscribe a diet of low fat dog food.

Is it Safe for My Dog to Eat Fish Bones?

Be careful not to include fish bones in your dogs’ fish treats. Fish bones are brittle and often very small meaning they can cut the inside of your dogs’ mouth, get lodged in their throat and sometimes even damage their organ walls! So, make sure to remove all fish bones before giving your dog its tasty treat to avoid an expensive trip to the vet!

How to Make Your Own Dehydrated Fish?

  1. Cut the fish into thin pieces to speed up the dehydration time
  2. Place cut pieces onto dehydrator tray
  3. Dehydrate according to the specific dehydrator’s instructions (it generally takes between 6-10 hours!)
  4. [OPTIONAL] To make more crispy, bake fish in oven on a low heat (145F/65C) for 10 minutes
  5. Allow to cool

But I Don’t Have a Dehydrator!

Don’t have a dehydrator? Not to worry! You can still make your dog a delicious, dehydrated fish treat without one! All you have to do is preheat your oven to a very low temperature and leave it in there to dry over the day. Make sure to keep an eye on it though!

Get Our #1 Easy, Homemade Dog Food Recipe (Vet-Approved), 100% Free!!! Click to get it NOW!

Should I Marinate My Dogs Fish?

You can also choose whether to marinate your fish to make it extra tasty for your pet! To make your dog’s delicious fish treats even more tasty, just cover the fish in a light marinate before dehydrating it. Marinating the fish lightly cooks it, giving it a firmer flesh and reducing the fishy smell!