Fish dog treats
Fish-based treats are a common choice for dogs who need or benefit from a different protein than the chicken or beef used in most everyday treats — whether that is a suspected sensitivity, a vet recommendation, or simply a dog who likes the taste. Fish sticks, dried fish skin and freeze-dried fish pieces are the usual forms, and most are single-ingredient products with a short, easy-to-check label.
Why owners choose fish treats
Chicken and beef are the most common proteins in everyday dog treats, which also makes them the most commonly reported sensitivities. Fish is a genuinely different protein source, which makes it a reasonable option to try for a dog showing signs of a chicken or beef sensitivity, or simply as variety alongside a dog's normal treats.
Fish is also naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which is why fish-based products are sometimes marketed with a coat and skin angle. That is a feature of the ingredient rather than a guarantee — a single treat now and then contributes far less than a dog's actual daily diet does to overall coat condition.
What to check on the label
Look for a single named fish — salmon, whitefish, or a specific species — rather than a vague "fish" or "fish derivatives" listing, particularly if you are trying to rule a specific protein in or out for a sensitive dog. A named, single-ingredient product makes it far easier to track what your dog is actually eating.
Dried fish skins and fish sticks tend to be strong-smelling, which most dogs find highly motivating and many owners find less pleasant to handle — that is normal for the product rather than a sign anything is wrong with it. Store them as instructed on the pack to keep the smell contained between uses.
Feeding them sensibly
Fish treats vary in calorie density depending on how they are processed, so check pack guidance on quantity rather than assuming a fish treat is automatically lighter than a meat one. Dried and freeze-dried versions in particular are often more calorie-dense than their size suggests.
Introduce fish treats gradually if your dog has not had them before, the same as with any new food, and watch for any change in stools or appetite over the following day or two. If your dog has a known fish allergy specifically, rather than a general sensitivity to other proteins, avoid fish treats and check with your vet about suitable alternatives.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats
Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.
From£12.99
Dried Catnip & Cat Grass Leaf Treats
A tub of dried catnip and cat grass leaves to sprinkle over toys, scratchers and bedding.
From£8.99
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 1 Tuna Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete tuna dry food for adult cats, offered in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Catit Nibbly Jerky Chicken & Fish Treats
Soft chicken and fish jerky treats for cats, two named meats high on the list, grain free
£1.89
Catit Creamy Tuna Treats 4 Pk
Lickable 26% tuna purée tubes for cats, 4 x 10g, up to 3 a day in place of main meal
£1.89
Dreamies Meaty Sticks Adult Cat Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Soft meaty stick treats for adult cats with salmon, individually wrapped, not for kittens
£1.59
Dreamies Creamy Adult Cat & Kitten Treats with Scrumptious Salmon
Creamy lickable salmon treats for cats and kittens, in a 40g pack with taurine
£1.59
Stop Bloody Scratching Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack, given daily as a treat to support skin and coat condition in itchy dogs.
£22.99
Dreamies Shakeups Seafood Celebrations Cat Treats
Complementary Dreamies Shakeups tuna, salmon and shrimp treats, 55G
£2.05
Common questions
- Are fish treats good for dogs with a chicken allergy?
- Fish is a different protein source, so it is often a reasonable option to try for a dog who reacts to chicken, provided your dog does not also have a fish sensitivity. Introduce it gradually and watch how they get on, and speak to your vet if you are managing a diagnosed allergy rather than a general preference.
- Do fish treats smell worse than other dog treats?
- Many do, particularly dried fish skins and fish sticks, and that is normal rather than a sign of a problem. Most dogs find the strong smell appealing, which is part of why fish treats tend to work well for training. Store them sealed between uses to keep the smell contained.
- Are fish treats good for a dog's coat?
- Fish naturally contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with skin and coat health, but a single treat contributes far less than a dog's overall daily diet. Treat any coat benefit as a feature of the ingredient rather than a guaranteed result from treats alone.
- How often can I give my dog fish treats?
- Follow the guidance on the specific product, since fish treats vary in calorie density depending on how they are processed. As with any treat, they should stay a small part of your dog's overall daily food rather than a regular addition on top of full meals.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.