This site is no longer being updated. Read more on pet behavior and wellness at The Wildest.

Dog Food Recipes: Fishy Treat for Dogs

Make this easy fish recipe for dogs.
By Roschelle Heuberger PhD, June 2009, Updated November 2021
homemade dog food with fish

It is easy to learn how to provide our dogs with nutritious, delicious homemade meals that are reliably safe and made with little or no fuss. You’ll find that dogs love this recipe for a salmon based fish treat, and it is easy to make with basic ingredients that you have at home.

Directions for this incredible homemade dog food with fish recipe include mixing salmon (or chicken), some sweet potatoes, then add in broth. Browse our list of dog-friendly superfoods or our intro on Mackerel to inspire your inner chef.

Go beyond this fishy dog food with three more dog food recipes that are sure to please your pup’s taste buds and keep them healthy.
Doggy Brunch
Puppy Stew
Fido’s Fricassee

This homemade oatmeal and yogurt recipe for dogs comes from pet nutritionist Roschelle Heuberger, PhD’s article on how to save money with homemade dog food. Learn about the nutritional and financial benefits of feeding your dog home-cooked meals in addition to, or in lieu of, commercial dog food. 

GET THE BARK NEWSLETTER IN YOUR INBOX!

Sign up and get the answers to your questions.

Email Address:

Homemade Dog Food: fishy dog food

Home cooking helps you feed ’em well for less.

Ingredients

4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth
1 5.5 oz. can skinned and boned salmon or chicken, well drained**
4 Tbsp. dried parsley
1⁄4 cup fish, safflower or olive oil
1 tsp. iodized salt

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until a paste is formed.

2. Roll out mixture on a lightly floured cutting board until about 1⁄4 -inch thick.

3. Cut sheet into approximately 80 pieces. Place pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet.

4. Use the center rack in an oven preheated to 300°F. Bake for 45 minutes.

5. Turn the oven off and let the pieces dry out for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.

6. Remove and store in an airtight container.

**Cooked shredded chicken breast can be substituted for canned chicken. If substituting chicken breast, boil 1⁄2 lb. chicken breast until very tender (30-plus minutes), drain, cool and shred.

Yield: 80 pieces, which feeds a medium-size dog for about 5 days at 16 pieces per day.
Serving size: 8 pieces
Total cost: approximately $14
Cost per serving: $1.40
Daily cost: $2.80

Per Serving
Energy: 296 calories
Protein: 12 grams
Carbohydrates: 48 grams
Fat: 8 grams
Omega-3 fatty acids: 2 grams
Dietary fiber: 7 grams
Calcium: 72 mg

Important: Many veterinarians, while acknowledging that pet food recalls and the poor quality of some pet foods are causes for concern, still feel that homemade dog food diets, when fed exclusively, may result in nutritional imbalances and vitamin/mineral deficiencies that may pose threats to canine health. Therefore, if you choose to feed your dog homemade dog food, it is important that you understand and provide what your dog needs to stay healthy; veterinary nutritionists can assist in developing suitable homemade diets. While caution was taken to give safe recommendations and accurate instructions in this article, it is impossible to predict an individual dog’s reaction to any food or ingredient. Readers should consult their vets and use personal judgment when applying this information to their own dogs’ diets.

Photo: Loren Biser / Pexels

Roschelle Heuberger, PhD, is a Registered Dietitian, an Associate Professor of Nutrition and director of the Clinical Nutrition graduate program at Central Michigan University.