Dehydrated Salmon Dog Treats Recipe and Guide

Making your own dehydrated salmon dog treats is a great way to provide your furry friend with a healthy snack.

Salmon is an excellent choice for dog treats due to its high protein content, which can help support your dog's overall health and well-being.

To make these treats, you'll need to start by preheating your dehydrator to 135°F (57°C), the ideal temperature for dehydrating fish.

Dehydrating fish at this temperature helps preserve its nutrients and prevents bacterial growth.

Broaden your view: Fish Dog Treats

Dehydrated salmon is an excellent source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support mobility, immune system, skin, and coat health.

Salmon is also great for heart health, making it a wonderful option for dogs like Humphrey who are undergoing heart treatments.

Dehydrated salmon is a good option for dogs on a moderate purine diet, as it sits in the moderate level for purines.

This means it's a great choice for many dogs, and a good alternative to higher purine fish options.

Expand your knowledge: Good Dog Wellness Treats Reviews

Making dehydrated salmon dog treats is a straightforward process that requires some basic preparation and equipment. Start by slicing salmon into thin strips or pieces, aiming for no more than 1/8” thick for even cooking.

Double-check the salmon for any bones, as they can be a choking hazard for dogs.

To prepare the salmon, you can marinate or pre-season it, but this is optional. If you choose to pre-heat the salmon, do so after marinating and before dehydrating, using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe temperature.

Arrange the prepared salmon pieces onto the dehydrator tray, leaving space for good air circulation to promote efficient dehydration. The dehydration time will depend on your machine and the thickness of the jerky pieces, but expect it to take a while.

Here's a quick rundown of the equipment you'll need:

Note that the finished salmon jerky will have a different texture than leaner fish, feeling a bit oily and snappy rather than chewy. However, this is still a healthy and safe option for your dog, especially when frozen for longer storage.

If you don't have a food dehydrator, you can use your oven to make dehydrated salmon dog treats.

You can place your prepared salmon on a heat-safe wire rack over a lined baking tray.

A rack is easier and gives better airflow, making it a better option than flipping the salmon.

Preheating meats to around 75C is recommended before dehydrating them at 60C.

This will ensure food safety and help you achieve the right texture for your treats.

You might enjoy: Can Dogs Be Allergic to Salmon Dog Food

For making dehydrated salmon dog treats, you'll want to start with the right ingredients. Salmon is the star of the show, and it's essential to use cleaned, deboned, and frozen/thawed salmon if applicable.

To ensure food safety, you can preheat your salmon before dehydrating it. This step is optional but recommended, especially if you're using fresh salmon. Freezing the salmon for at least a week beforehand can also help destroy parasites.

Pre-heating your salmon before dehydrating it can be done in a very hot oven after dehydration for added safety and/or crunch. If your dehydrator has a suitable meat/fish setting, your salmon jerky treats should be ready to serve once the dehydration is complete.

If you're concerned about parasites in your store-bought salmon, you can take extra precautions. Pre-freezing before making jerky, pre-heating before dehydrating, and/or exposure to high(er) temperatures can be used as added safety measures.

Here's a quick rundown of the safety steps you can take:

Remember, these steps are optional but recommended to ensure the safety of your dehydrated salmon dog treats.

When choosing seasonings for your dehydrated salmon dog treats, it's best to opt for dog-safe options.

Anything oily is counterproductive to drying away moisture, so it's best to avoid those. Sticky or staining ingredients can also cause problems for clean-up and snacking.

Dog-safe dry seasonings are good options, but remember that chunky or flaky ingredients might not stay stuck in place after drying.

You might enjoy: Dog Safe Treats

I've found that marinating fish before dehydrating can be a handy prep step, especially when it comes to timing and fridge space.

The dogs don't seem to have any objections or preferences when it comes to plain vs. marinated jerky treats.

Marinating fish with acid causes a protein reaction that lightly "cooks" the flesh, firming it and lightly shifting its color.

My basic fish marinade is made with diluted lemon juice and dried parsley, which I use in place of a meat jerky.

For more insights, see: Salmon Jerky Dog Treats

When choosing seasonings for your homemade dog treats, it's best to opt for dog-safe options that suit your pup's palate.

Avoid using oily ingredients in your marinades or rubs, as they can hinder the dehydration process and make clean-up a nightmare.

Sticky or staining ingredients are also not ideal, as they can be a pain to deal with during snacking and clean-up.

Dry seasonings are a great option, as they're easy to work with and won't cause any issues during the drying process.

Just keep in mind that chunky or flaky seasonings might not stick in place after drying, so it's best to use powders or small flakes instead.

A fresh viewpoint: Best Healthy Dog Biscuits