While not everyone is a fan of fish, there is no denying the incredible health benefits it has. A true wonder food, it’s hugely beneficial for ourselves and indeed, our fluffy pups which is more important!

But how should we prepare it? How much should we give? And WHY exactly should we give it to our dogs?

Fish can be given to dogs for a change in their diet, tantalising their palate and ensuring they don’t get bored of their meals. We all like mashed potato, but not for every meal for the rest of our lives! It can be given as an alternative to meat up to twice a week, which is great news for those dogs who are allergic or intolerant to common proteins such as chicken.

It can be prepared for your dog by grilling, baking, steaming or poaching it, however it should always be served plain, without any spices, salt or other additives. Bones should always be removed to prevent choking.

It should never be given raw as there is a risk of raw fish containing harmful bacteria such as salmonella and listeria, that could make your dog sick. Some sources say that SPECIFIC types of fish such as cod or haddock can be served raw, however we would always recommend cooking it to reduce the chances of ingesting potentially dangerous parasites.

Fish skin can be safely eaten by your pup, and not only is it packed with nutrition, most dogs absolutely love it!

Your dog’s weight plays a part in just how much fish they should consume in one go. Fish, although very healthy, can be quite fatty (the likes of salmon, for example) and too much in one portion can sometimes cause an upset tummy.

If you have a small dog that weighs less than 10kg, they should consume about 100g of fish. Medium dogs of 10-15kg should consume 150-200g of fish, while larger dogs require much more in order to get the most benefit. Bigger dogs of 25-30kg require approximately 300-330g.

Of course your dog’s needs may vary, as will their health plan.

Fish is packed full of nutrients, from essential omega-3 fatty acids and lovely proteins and oils.

These can greatly improve the condition of your pup’s coat, adding shine and encouraging growth. Some owners believe that it can even help with shedding, as the protein promotes coat growth, pushing out dead hair quicker and allowing the new coat to come through.

The fatty acids are massively beneficial for healthy joints, easing the onset of arthritis as they age. This is very important for some breeds such as German Shepherds, Labradors, Daschunds and Old English Sheepdogs that are prone to joint issues later in life. While no amount of fish can PREVENT arthritis, it can certainly help to ease discomfort.

If you are not a fan of actually cooking fish yourself, your pet can still benefit from the nutritional value, in the form of treats and supplements.

We are huge fans of the Fish4Dogs range range which has a selection of wet food such as Herring and Potato, Mackerel and Potato and Salmon Mousse.

Simply mix with their usual dry food for maximum tastiness!

New to the Fish4Dogs range, we are in love with their new Puppy Salmon Bites and Adult Salmon Bites which are delicious crunchy treats, perfect for training. They are grain-free and contain no poultry or meat proteins, so they’re perfect for sensitive tummies! They also have a Puppy version available!

Whatever route you decide to go, fish is a fantastic way to keep your dog healthy and happy!

– by Peigí Conneff