{"id":1887,"date":"2023-04-21T16:54:08","date_gmt":"2023-04-21T16:54:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging2.kipandtwiggys.com\/?p=1887"},"modified":"2023-04-21T16:54:09","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T16:54:09","slug":"fish-skin-dog-treats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kipandtwiggys.com\/fish-skin-dog-treats\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Fish Skin Dog Treats (by Jo the Vet)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fish skins are an excellent source of omega oils for dogs, and provide a load of health benefits. However, they can be processed and packaged in many different forms, and it can be confusing which ones to buy. You might be wondering are all fish skin products fundamentally the same? And is there a specific type of fish which fish skin treats are made from? Maybe you want to check if fish skins are truly safe for your dog?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we will explore the different fish skin options, and answer some frequently asked questions, to help you decide whether they are right for your canine friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Key facts<\/span><\/h2>

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Fish skins for dogs are extremely nutritious and will benefit your dog’s health in many different ways. <\/p>

Take care where you source them from, to ensure they have been made safely with no contamination, and fished in a sustainable manner. <\/p>

Dogs should never be allowed to eat a treat unsupervised, as if they are extremely enthusiastic, they might forget to chew! <\/p>

Fish skin dog treats can help improve your dog’s dental, skin, eye, joint, heart and brain health<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What are Fish Skins?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fish skins are the skins from fish, including scales, which have been processed into delicious treats. Most commonly, white fish like cod are used, however, sometimes salmon, pollock or wolffish skins make up the treats instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish skin treats can be supplied from all around the world, so it is important to look for a local supplier that ensures their fish are sustainably caught and processed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fish skins are usually dehydrated into jerky-style treats. They can be left in the form of a strip of skin<\/strong>, or processed further by compressing into cubes or blocks<\/strong>, twisted<\/strong> or plaited<\/strong> together, or ground up and mixed with rice powder<\/strong> to form more processed treats and chews. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also possible to create your own fish skin treats. Some people like to feed raw fish skins, however these carry health risks which are discussed later. Therefore, cooking, grilling or dehydrating skins provides a safer treat for your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Benefits of Fish Skin Treats for Dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can’t get much healthier than fish skins. They are high in easily digestible, high-quality proteins, oils and fats. These contribute to the rich concentration of omega-3, which helps to improve heart, eye, brain, skin and joint health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dried Fish Skins Nutrition<\/h3><\/div>
Nutrition<\/div><\/div>
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Protein<\/div><\/div>
94%<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Fat<\/div><\/div>
3%<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Fatty Acids<\/div><\/div>
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Omega-3<\/div><\/div>
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Note: The percentages don’t add up to 100% as they are averages from several data sources. Ranges are given when there is a wide variation between products. Find out more about how we calculate nutritional information >><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to this, most jerky-based fish skin treats take a bit of effort to crunch through, which enables them to act as a toothbrush to clean away the plaque from your dog’s teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While fish skins are very healthy for your dog, they should only contribute to your dog’s daily treats and not be their main source of nutrition. Therefore, even though there isn’t a set amount they should eat daily, only offer them in moderation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Disadvantages & Risks of Fish Skin Dog Treats<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A Very Safe Treat<\/h3>

If you prepare fish skin treats for your dog at home, then there is a very small risk they might carry harmful parasites or bacteria if not prepared correctly. Otherwise fish skins carry no inherent risk to dogs.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dried fish skin is very safe for your dog. There are rarely side effects, other than a gut upset if your dog has eaten too many or they naturally have a very sensitive stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you are thinking about preparing fish skins yourself, they can pose a risk to your dog, as they can carry harmful parasites and bacteria. Flukes can be found on the skin of fish, and roundworms in the muscles underneath. Tapeworms, however, are found in the fish’s intestines, and therefore are not usually a risk if your dog is only eating the skin. It is always a good idea to thoroughly cook or dehydrate fish skins to minimise the risk of infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span>Fish Skin Treats for Puppies<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
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Fish skins can provide an excellent source of protein and fat for puppies who are growing. They help provide the building blocks for strong muscles, and contribute to healthy joint, eye, heart and brain development.<\/p>

However, puppies should receive the majority of their nutrients from a balanced, commercial puppy food. Therefore, fish skin treats should only be fed in moderation, as a treat, and not as the main part of your puppy’s diet.<\/p>

Puppies can enjoy fish skin treats from the age of 12 weeks old.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Alternatives to Fish Skins<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re thinking that you like the idea of fish skins, but aren’t quite sold on it, why not consider some of these alternatives?<\/p>\n\n\n\n