Most pet parents know salmon is a nutritious treat for their canine friends. However, some owners don’t know the best way to cook salmon for dogs. Salmon should never be offered raw to a dog, as salmon poisoning can occur if the dog ingests raw salmon that is contaminated with a parasite fluke that carries the bacteria Neorickettsia helminthoeca. To prevent this, make sure you cook salmon before offering it to your dog. Cooking the fish removes bacteria, parasites, or other dangerous contaminants that could make your dog sick. The last thing you want is for your pup to become sick after you feed them their favorite treat.
We’ll tell you how to cook salmon and give you a couple of tried-and-true recipes for your beloved canine.
How to Cook Salmon
Cooking salmon is a pretty easy and straightforward process. To make the salmon safe for your dog, it’s important to remember to cook it to 145 degrees Fahrenheit so that any bacteria and parasites have been killed.
Ensure you cook the salmon with no garlic, onions, or other seasonings that could make your dog sick. As long as you’re not using spices, you cook salmon for your dog the same way you cook it for humans. Garlic and onions are toxic to dogs, and you should also avoid seasoning the fish with their powdered forms. Granulated garlic and onions are even more hazardous for your pet and must be avoided.
These recipes have been approved by a veterinarian because they include only dog-friendly ingredients, however, some of these recipes are not complete and balanced diets to feed your dog on a daily basis. These recipes are a great add-on to your dog’s diet. They are only meant to be fed on occasion and not as a regular staple diet. Please consult your veterinarian to help you decide what is the best diet for your dog.
Easy Salmon Recipe (Salmon and Sweet Potato)
There are more than a few recipes for salmon for your dog, but this Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe is simple to make and one of our favorites.
Ingredients
- 1 Salmon filet per dog (less for smaller dogs)
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 head of broccoli
Directions
Your pup is unlikely to consume an entire sweet potato or head of broccoli with its salmon, but you can separate the portions so you can enjoy them with additional seasonings.
- Fix your sweet potato mash by boiling it, then pureeing it in a blender until it’s smooth. You’ll only need to serve around two tablespoons to your dog.
- Steam the broccoli for about 10 minutes. You can add a bit of butter to your portion of broccoli but keep that away from your dog.
- For the salmon, heat one teaspoon of coconut oil over medium heat and cook the salmon for four to six minutes a side, depending on the thickness. With an 8-ounce filet, you can serve four chopped pieces of salmon for a small dog and six pieces for a large dog over the sweet potato and broccoli.
Baked Salmon Treat for Dogs
If you want to serve salmon as a treat rather than a meal, you can bake a small portion of a salmon filet in an oven preheated to 350° F for 20 minutes. You can use a non-stick cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Check the salmon with a thermometer to ensure it’s cooked, and wait for it to cook for a few minutes before chopping it and serving it to your dog.
Wrap Up
Salmon is an excellent treat for your dog and is used in many high-quality dog foods. Raw salmon should never be offered to your dog. It’s best to cook the fish to 145°F so the bacteria and parasites in the raw salmon will not make your dog sick.
It’s very important to never add garlic or onion, as these are toxic to dogs. It is also best to avoid adding butter or other seasonings to your dog’s salmon, as they can upset the dog’s stomach and digestive tract. Other than that, if you fix the dog’s salmon the correct way, you can enjoy this tasty dish together and take comfort in knowing that it’s a healthy treat for both of you.
See also:
- Can Dogs Eat Smoked Salmon? Vet-Approved Benefits & Risks
- Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Nutrition Facts & Recommendations
Featured Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay
