Salmon dog treats — what to look for
Salmon dog treats are a popular alternative for dogs who cannot or should not have the more common chicken or beef treats, and plenty of dogs simply prefer the taste. Fish-based treats are not automatically better or worse than meat ones; what matters is how much actual fish is in the pack and how they fit into the rest of what your dog eats in a day.
Why owners pick salmon
The most common reason is a suspected sensitivity to chicken or beef, where a vet has suggested trying a different protein to see whether it makes a difference to itching, ears or stools. Salmon is a widely available alternative that is easy to find in a treat rather than only in a full meal.
Salmon is also naturally oily, and oily fish is often mentioned alongside skin and coat condition, which is one reason it turns up so often in treats marketed that way. That is a general, widely accepted point about the type of fat involved, not a promise about what it will do for any particular dog.
Reading the pack
Treats vary hugely in how much salmon they actually contain. Some are close to pure fish — a dried skin or fillet piece — while others are a biscuit or mixed treat with salmon as a flavouring rather than a main ingredient. If you are choosing salmon specifically because of a sensitivity to something else, the ingredients list is what actually tells you whether the treat qualifies.
Check for other named proteins hiding further down the list, particularly if you are trying to keep your dog off chicken or beef for a specific reason. A treat can be marketed around salmon on the front of the pack and still contain a second meat further down the ingredients.
Using them sensibly
Treats, whatever they are made from, are meant to be a small part of a dog's day rather than a meal replacement. A dog getting through a lot of training treats in one session is still eating calories, so it is worth keeping an eye on their weight and adjusting their main meal if treat time has crept up.
As with any new protein, introduce salmon treats gradually rather than handing over a whole new bag at once, and watch how your dog's stools and appetite respond over the following day or two. A genuine fish allergy is uncommon but not impossible, and it behaves the same way any other food sensitivity does.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Calm the Eff Down Treats Chicken Flavour 90 Tablets
Chicken-flavoured calming tablets from Pets Calm Down, made in the UK, ninety to a pack and given as a treat for dogs who find fireworks, travel or being alone difficult.
£22.99
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
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 8pk
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
James Wellbeloved Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for adult cats, without the grain-free or joint-support extras
From£21.79
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
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 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
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Common questions
- Are salmon treats better for dogs than chicken treats?
- Not automatically. Salmon is a reasonable alternative protein, particularly for a dog who reacts to chicken or beef, but neither is inherently healthier for every dog. What matters more is the quality and quantity of the actual ingredient and how the treat fits into your dog's overall diet.
- Can puppies have salmon treats?
- Many puppies can, but check the pack is suitable for their age and size, since some treats are aimed at adult dogs and are the wrong size or texture for a small mouth. If your puppy is on a specific diet for a health reason, check with your vet before adding a new treat.
- Will salmon treats help my dog's itchy skin?
- They might, if the underlying issue is a sensitivity to a different protein, but persistent itching is worth investigating with a vet rather than treated with a change of treat alone. A treat cannot diagnose or resolve a skin problem on its own.
- How many salmon treats can I give my dog a day?
- That depends on the size of the treat and the size of your dog, and the pack should give guidance for the specific product. As a general rule, treats should stay a small part of what your dog eats in a day rather than a regular addition on top of a full meal.
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.