Did you know that dogs are not omnivores? That’s right—dogs are actually carnivores, meaning they need a diet rich in animal protein to thrive.
Dog food with fish can be a great way to make sure your pup gets all the nutrients he needs. Here are some things to know about dog food with fish:
-Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for a dog’s health and wellness. Studies show that deficiencies in omega-3s can lead to increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
-Fish oil has also been shown to help with joint pain and inflammation, as well as improving cognitive function in older dogs. The EPA and DHA found in fish oil can help reduce arthritis symptoms in aging dogs, including stiffness and joint pain associated with osteoarthritis.
-Fish is also a good source of vitamin D, which is important for bone health as well as maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Dog Food With Fish
Some dogs love fish dog food formulas – and so should you! Not the taste, of course, but the nutrition it offers your dog. Fish is widely known for its health benefits for humans. But, did you know that it offers many of the same benefits for dogs?
Fish is commonly used in dog food because it provides:
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for dogs’ growth and early development. Fish, fish meal and fish oil are naturally rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are important for brain and vision development. Later in life, they also support joint health.
PROTEIN
Fish is an excellent source of protein to help support strong muscles. Protein consists of essential amino acids, which play an integral role in the functions of your dog’s body.
FLAVOR
Cats aren’t the only ones that love fish. Many dogs enjoy the distinct flavor of fish and eagerly lick their bowls clean.
If you’re considering switching your dog to a fish-based dog food formula, there are many great options available. You’ll find formulas with different types of fish, like salmon, tuna and whitefish. You’ll also see formulas that pair fish with other nutritious ingredients, such as fish and sweet potato dog food formulas or fish and rice formulas.
So, which one is right for your dog? When choosing a formula of fish dog food, here are a few additional things to consider:
- Is the formula complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage?
- Does it contain real, high-quality fish, like salmon or tuna?
- Does the formula contain antioxidants, like Vitamins A and E, to support a healthy immune system?
Pro Plan offers several excellent choices for fish dog foods. Purina® Pro Plan® SAVOR® Shredded Blend Salmon & Rice Formula, for example, contains real, high-quality fish as the first ingredient and antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system. If you want to feed grain free, Purina® Pro Plan® NATURAL Plus Essential Vitamins and Minerals Grain Free Tuna & Egg Formula is a great choice. Tuna is the first ingredient, and this formula is made without corn, wheat or soy, poultry by-product meal, or any added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
A fish dog food formula can be a wonderful choice for your dog. Or you can add rewards of fish-based dog treats to give him the flavor of fish without changing his main diet. It’s sure to bring out his best behavior.
homemade dog food with fish
Many dog foods these days focus on “traditional” forms of protein like chicken or beef. While there’s nothing wrong with red or white meat, there are some better options out there. Take, for example, fish!
Fish meat offers a ton of great benefits. Not only is it low in trans and saturated fats, but it contains a myriad of beneficial fats.
Fish is rich in antioxidants and omega fatty acids. So, a regular diet of fish can improve your dog’s cardiovascular and skin health.
Plus, a regular supply of fish oil can add noticeable luster to your dog’s coat!
There’s no shortage of commercial dog foods with fish in them. But, homemade meals give you greater control over what your dog is consuming.
You can provide your dog with the very best and promote good health all around!
Looking for some homemade dog food recipes with fish? We have you covered!
5 Homemade Dog Meals with Fish
#1. Fish Fillets and Veggies
This recipe is quick, easy, and delicious for your dogs. You have several options for your fish source.
Pick any fish fillet product you can get your hands on! Generally, Tilapia and Swai are readily available at most grocery stores.
As for the vegetable sources, you have tons of great options there, too. Pick up a bag of frozen veggies or prepare it fresh.
The choice is yours! Just make sure that you’re using mixed that are free of harmful veggies, such as onions and garlic.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of fish fillets
- 1 can of pink salmon
- 3 whole eggs
- 3 cups of diced vegetables
- 1 cup of white or brown rice
Preparation Instructions
Creating this meal is a cinch! Start by cooking the fish fillets and salmon. You can chop it up into cubes or grind it up. Either way, cook it in a pan without any oil to keep the fish lean.
In a separate pot cook your rice. If your dog isn’t keen on rice, you can always substitute it for oatmeal, lentils, or quinoa.
As your rice is cooking, put your vegetables in a pot with some water and bring it up to a boil.
Let the vegetables simmer for about five minutes before draining the excess water.
Now, it’s time to combine ingredients!
Mix the fish, vegetables, rice, and eggs until you have a uniform mash. Let the mixture cool down completely before serving it to your dog.
If you have any extra, pop it in the refrigerator or freezer to save it for later!
#2. Salmon and Quinoa
Here’s another easy recipe with very limited ingredients. You can make this meal in bulk and provide a week’s worth of meals. Or, you can freeze it for long-term storage.
Salmon is the star of the show! Meanwhile, the quinoa provides some much-needed complex carbs. Broccoli is thrown in for vitamins and minerals, too.
This recipe calls for powdered vitamin supplements. You can use a multi-vitamin formula to cover all of your dog’s needs.
Targeted vitamin formulas for arthritis and allergies works fine as well.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds of raw salmon (fillets or whole)
- 1 and 3/4cups of quinoa
- 2 and 1/2 cups of broccoli
- Half a cup of vitamin powder
Preparation Instructions
Start by cooking your salmon. Whether you’re using a whole fish or boneless fillets, the process is simple.
Place the fish in a pan and add enough water to cover the fish. Then, cook the fish for about five minutes with the pan cover on.
Cook until the meat of the fish is fully opaque. It may take longer than five minutes for thicker fillets or whole fish.
Once the fish is cooked and cooled, break it apart with a fork. Be extra careful with full fish. You must remove every piece of bone before you proceed.
Now, you can prepare your quinoa.
After a thorough cleaning, add one part quinoa to two parts water. Bring the pot to a boil and let the quinoa simmer for about 15 minutes. It should be fluffy and translucent.
As that’s working, you can boil your broccoli florets in about an inch or two of water. They only need about five to six minutes. A bit of crunch is good for your dog!
Let all of the ingredients cool down completely. Then, mix everything up and add your vitamin supplement.
Extra heat will impact the potency of the vitamins, so don’t add it until your fish, quinoa, and broccoli is at room temperature.
#3. Fish Cakes
Want to make some snack-sized meals for your pooch? Try these fish cakes on for size!
This is a fun recipe that will have your dog asking for more. It’s packed with flavor and utilizes a collection of healthy ingredients. Plus, the form of this meal makes it easy to store and freeze!
Canned tuna is the main protein source. So, you don’t have to worry about excessive preparation, either.
Ingredients
- 2 cans of albacore tuna
- 1 can of standard tuna in water
- 2 large potatoes
- 4 ounces of frozen peas
- 2 large eggs
- 1 small bunch of fresh parsley
Preparation Instructions
To make these fish cakes, start by preparing the ingredients.
Peel the potatoes and chop them up into small chunks. Then, boil them in unsalted water until they are soft and tender.
While that’s going, chop the parsley into tiny pieces. You should have about a handful of the herb then you’re done.
To prepare the peas, cook them according to the instructions. Depending on the specific product you have, that could be as easy as popping them in the microwave or boiling them for a few minutes.
Finally, hardboil your eggs and chop them up into small pieces.
After your potatoes are done, drain all of the excess water. Mix in about a quarter of your parsley.
In a separate bowl, combine the cans of tuna. Make sure to drain any excell liquid out of the can beforehand!
Mix the tuna until it’s fully incorporated. Then, add the rest of your parsley, the boiled eggs, and the peas.
After the potatoes have cooled down a bit, mix them in, too! Using your hands, form the mixture into loose patties. You can also use cookie cutters if you want things to be super uniform.
Once your patties are done, the meal is ready for your dog to eat!
#4. Fish and Sweet Potato Mash
This recipe only contains a few ingredients. The goal is to keep things as simple as possible! It’s a great meal option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
There’s no hard rule about the type of fish you should use. However, we recommend going with fresh trout, salmon, or mackerel fillets.
As always, you can make this recipe in bulk. The following ingredients list makes a small amount. But, you can scale up or down depending on your needs.
Ingredients
- 2 or three fish fillets
- 1 large sweet potato
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Powdered multivitamin supplement (optional)
Preparation Instructions
Boil your fish in a shallow pan. Don’t add any spices. Remember: Simple is better!
Once the fish is opaque, chop it up into bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can break it up into flakes with a fork. If you opt to use whole fish, make sure to remove any bones.
To prepare the sweet potato, peel the skin and boil it in water until it’s tender. Then, drain the water and mash it with a fork.
Assembling your ingredients is easy. Though, it takes a bit of measuring. Combine a cup of fish with half a cup of mashed sweet potato.
Again, you can scale up if you want to prepare the meal in bulk.
Drizzle in some olive oil and add your vitamin supplement. Then, mix everything until it’s fully incorporated into an enticing mash for your dog.
#5. Fish Treats
This recipe won’t create full meals. But, it will give your dog a fishy treat as a reward! It’s similar to other baked goods. However, the main ingredients are salmon and tuna.
The final product is a high-protein snack with a bit of enjoyable crunch
Ingredients
- 1 can of salmon (14 ounces)
- 1 can of tuna in water(7 ounces)
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups of flour
Preparation Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (roughly 177 Celcius). Lightly grease a large 12×16 baking pan.
You can also line it with wax paper if you want to avoid adding extra fat to the snack.
While your oven preheats, combine the salmon and tuna in a bowl. Keep the water and excess liquids! They will improve the consistency and bake off in the oven.
In a separate bowl, beat the four eggs until you have a smooth and lump-free consistency.
Add the beaten eggs and flour to your fish. Stir the mixture well until everything is combined evenly.
Spread the mixture onto the baking pan and pop it in the oven for about 40 minutes.
After the treats cook, let them cool a few minutes before cutting them into small squares.
Conclusion
Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and other fish are great alternatives to standard protein sources.
Give these recipes a try! Your dog will love them! Meanwhile, you can watch their health and fur improve.