Fish is the secret weapon for picky dogs: a whiff of salmon gets attention faster than almost any biscuit. These salmon dog treats use canned or cooked salmon, so they’re quick, budget-friendly and safe. You’ll get two recipes (baked salmon and sweet potato bites, plus a no-bake frozen version), how many to give by weight, and the salmon mistakes to avoid, from raw fish to smoked lox.
Recipes: baked salmon & sweet potato bites, frozen salmon & yogurt cubes • Prep: 15 minutes • Cook: 20–25 minutes baking, or 4 hours freezing • Yield: about 40 bites or 24 cubes • Difficulty: easy • Storage: fridge 5 days, freezer 3 months
Always use cooked salmon. Raw salmon can carry a parasite-borne disease that’s dangerous for dogs.
Table of Contents
Why Make Salmon Treats for Dogs?
Salmon is a high-quality protein with omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), and its strong smell makes it a great high-value reward for training. Salmon treats for dogs are also a handy option when a dog doesn’t do well with chicken or beef: in a review of 297 food-allergic dogs, fish was reported as a trigger in only about 2%, compared with 34% for beef and 15% for chicken.
A few treats won’t replace a fish oil supplement, though. If you’re interested in omega-3s for skin or joints, our fish oil for dogs guide covers doses to discuss with your vet.
Which Salmon Is Safe for Dog Treats?
| Type of Salmon | Use It? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Canned salmon in water, no salt added | Yes, best choice | Already cooked, cheap and easy to mash |
| Fresh salmon, fully cooked | Yes | Bake or poach plain, then remove every bone |
| Regular canned salmon | Small amounts | Has added salt; drain well |
| Canned salmon in oil | Skip | Extra fat and calories |
| Smoked salmon or lox | No | Very salty, and cold-smoked fish is not cooked |
| Raw salmon, sushi or sashimi | No | Risk of salmon poisoning disease and bacteria |
| Plain cooked salmon skin | A little | Fatty; fine as an occasional crispy bite |
Choose boneless, skinless canned salmon to skip the bone check. The soft bones in regular canned salmon are generally tolerated, but mash them well.
Recipe 1: Baked Salmon and Sweet Potato Bites
Baked Salmon and Sweet Potato Dog Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment.
- Drain the salmon and mash it with a fork, checking for bones.
- Stir in the sweet potato and egg, then add the oat flour to make a soft, scoopable dough.
- Roll teaspoon-size balls and press each flat with a fork.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
The whole batch is roughly 800 calories based on USDA FoodData Central values, so each bite is about 20 calories.
Recipe 2: No-Bake Frozen Salmon and Yogurt Cubes
A cool, soft option for hot days, seniors or dogs that can’t crunch.
Frozen Salmon and Yogurt Dog Cubes
Ingredients
Method
- Blend or mash everything together until smooth.
- Spoon into a small silicone mold or ice cube tray.
- Freeze at least 4 hours, then pop out and store in a freezer bag.
Notes
Each cube is about 9 calories. Serve straight from the freezer for big dogs, or let it soften for a minute for small ones. For more cold ideas, see our frozen dog treats recipes.
How Many Salmon Treats Can a Dog Have?
Treats work best as a small share of the day’s food. These amounts keep salmon treats to well under a tenth of a typical dog’s calories, leaving room for other rewards:
| Dog’s Weight | Est. Daily Calories | Baked Bites (~20 kcal) | Or Frozen Cubes (~9 kcal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~350 kcal | 1 | 2 |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~690 kcal | 2 | 3–4 |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~1,160 kcal | 3 | 5–6 |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~1,580 kcal | 4 | 7–8 |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | ~1,960 kcal | 5 | 9–10 |
Our estimates for a typical neutered adult (70 × body weight in kg0.75 × 1.6), based on the extras guideline in the WSAVA treat guide. Pick one recipe per day, not both.
Storage and Shelf Life
- Baked bites: homemade dog salmon treats have no preservatives, so keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Don’t leave them in a treat jar on the counter.
- Freezer: both recipes keep about 3 months. Thaw baked bites in the fridge overnight.
- Smell test: throw out anything that smells sour or looks moldy.
Swaps and Variations
- Grain-free: swap the oat flour for chickpea or coconut flour. Coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so start with about ⅓ cup.
- No sweet potato? Use the same amount of plain pumpkin or mashed carrot.
- Egg allergy: replace the egg with 2 tablespoons of pumpkin and add a little more flour.
- Other fish: canned sardines in water (no salt added) or cooked, deboned white fish work the same way.
- Training-size: press the dough into a lined pan, bake, and cut into tiny squares.
Puppies and Dogs With Health Conditions
Puppies can enjoy a crumbled bite or a softened cube once they’re eating solid food. Dogs with pancreatitis may need very low-fat treats, and salmon is a fattier fish, so ask your vet. Dogs on a food trial should only eat what their vet approves, even if fish seems like a safe choice. If your dog is new to fish, start with one bite and watch for itching or loose stools.
What should owners know about salmon poisoning disease? Never feed raw salmon or trout, especially in the Pacific Northwest. Call the vet if a dog gets a fever or vomits after eating raw fish.
Are salmon treats good for dogs with chicken or beef allergies? Fish is a less common trigger, so it's often a good option. During a food trial, only feed what the vet approves.
Is canned salmon with soft bones safe? The soft bones are generally tolerated, but boneless is the simplest choice.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Salmon Dog Treats: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Use canned or fully cooked salmon
- Pick water-packed, no-salt-added cans
- Check for bones before mixing
- Keep baked bites in the fridge
✕ Don’t
- Feed raw salmon, sushi or sashimi
- Use smoked salmon or lox
- Add salt, garlic, onion or seasoning
- Use yogurt that contains xylitol
Every dog is different. Dogs with pancreatitis or food allergies should get their vet’s okay before new treats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are salmon treats good for dogs?
Yes, when made with cooked salmon and kept to a small share of the diet. They’re rich in protein, contain omega-3s and are less likely than beef or chicken to trigger food allergies.
Can dogs eat canned salmon?
Yes. Canned salmon is already cooked. Choose salmon packed in water with no salt added, drain it, and avoid salmon canned in oil or with seasonings.
Can dogs eat salmon skin?
Plain, fully cooked salmon skin is fine in small pieces now and then. It’s high in fat, so don’t make it a daily treat, and never give raw or seasoned skin.
Can dogs have salmon every day?
A few salmon treats a day are fine for most healthy dogs as long as total treats stay small. Rotating proteins also helps keep things interesting.
Are dog treats with salmon good for itchy skin?
A few treats won’t provide enough omega-3s to change skin health. For itchy skin, talk to your vet about the cause and whether a fish oil supplement makes sense.
Why do salmon dog treats smell so strong?
Fish oils are aromatic, and baking concentrates them. Bake with a window open, and store the treats in a sealed container in the fridge.
Want more ideas? See the full collection of homemade dog treat recipes.
The Bottom Line
Homemade salmon dog treats are quick to make, hard for dogs to resist and a good choice for dogs that don’t do well with chicken or beef. Use canned or fully cooked salmon, skip raw fish, smoked salmon and seasonings, and keep portions small. Find more easy recipes in our Homemade Treats section, or try our chicken jerky for dogs next. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com — Review of 297 food-allergic dogs
- healthtopics.vetmed.ucdavis.edu — UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine
- WSAVA — WSAVA treat guide