Homemade salmon dog treats recipe
Three ingredient homemade salmon dog treats are an easy recipe that your pups will love. Made with canned salmon, these crispy dog biscuits are perfect for training, or as a reward, and they are a healthy and inexpensive alternative to store-bought treats.
I’ll give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If you’d like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.
You may also be interested in my homemade chicken dog treats and my peanut butter banana dog treats recipes. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my dog treat recipes in one place.
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Salmon dog treat recipe
Crispy salmon dog biscuits are the perfect homemade treat for dogs with allergies to poultry. Most pups, even those with zero allergies, are fans of salmon, and these dog cookies are almost guaranteed to be a hit.
Making dog treats yourself is easy and you can make them for half the cost of store bought.
These salmon dog cookies also make a fantastic homemade gift for pets of friends, family, or neighbors. And, if you have kiddos in the house, this is something they can help you make.
What you need to know
The dough is kind of stiff, it’s not a very soft dough. Because it doesn’t have a lot of moisture in the dough, you’ll get a crispier treat. If you prefer a softer treat, add an extra egg to the mixture.
If needed, you can make the dough ahead of time and bake the treats the next day. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before rolling out and cutting treats.
I’ve rolled them out and cut bone shaped biscuits, but you can simply cut them into squares with a knife or a pizza cutter, if you prefer. Trust me, your dog won’t notice.
Ingredients
With just 3 ingredients, these treats are very easy to pull together.
- Canned salmon – A great source of protein for your pup, plus canned salmon is convenient.
- Oats – Rolled oats are good for digestion, and they provide fiber.
- Egg – Egg provides moisture and stability in the dough.
- Substitution: You can swap out the egg for a “chia egg”. Substitute egg with 1 tbsp. chia (or hemp) seeds mixed with 3 tbsp. water.
How to make homemade salmon dog treats
Here’s a quick summary of how to make homemade dog treats with canned salmon. Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
- Prep – Preheat oven to 350°F // 180°C. Make dough, then roll out to 1/8″ thick.
- Cut – Use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut treats out of dough.
- Place treats on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
- Bake until golden, then cool completely on the sheet pan.
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How to store
Because I live in a warmer, humid climate, I store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Remember that homemade treats do not contain preservatives and will eventually mold, just like any baked good.
If you live in a cooler, less humid climate, you can store these treats in a cute dog treat jar on the counter for a few days before moving them to the fridge. Storing them in the fridge will extend their shelf-life to a couple of weeks, but to store for a longer period of time, the freezer is best.
I would suggest storing most of them in the freezer, keeping a handful in the refrigerator, and replenishing your supply when needed. This will keep the treats fresh for the longest amount of time.
Homemade salmon dog treats FAQ’s
Because these salmon dog treats do not contain additives to prolong shelf life, it is best to store them in the refrigerator. To store for longer, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
If properly stored, in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they will last up to 2 weeks.
Yes. I use old-fashioned oats (oatmeal), but you can use a quick cooking variety if that’s what you have. You cannot use steel-cut oats, as those are entirely different.
Variations and substitutions
- Egg can be swapped for chia seeds. To make these dog biscuits without egg, substitute with 1 tbsp. chia (or hemp) seeds mixed with 3 tbsp. water. Wait 5 minutes until it has started to gel before adding to dough.
- Old-fashioned oats can be swapped for quick-cooking oats. You can swap out quick cooking oats for regular old fashioned oats. Do not swap out for flavored oatmeal. Those little packets are not good for your dog.
Helpful tools and equipment
- Bone shaped cookie cutters – The same set of cutters that I used for this recipe.
- Food processor – This is an updated version of the one I own.
- Baking sheets – Commercial grade sheet pans don’t warp in the oven. Invest in them once and they’ll last you a lifetime.
- Parchment paper – Sheets of parchment cut to fit perfectly inside the pan.
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Homemade salmon dog treats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups ground oats You’ll need about 3 cups of whole oats to get 2 ½ cups of ground oats.
- 10 ounces canned salmon drained, liquid reserved
- 1 large egg *Use 2 eggs if you'd like a softer treat.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C.
- Add 10 ounces of canned salmon to a medium bowl. Use a fork to break up the chunks of salmon.
- Add the egg, then combine the egg mixture and salmon until it looks fairly uniform. (Use 2 eggs for a softer dough)
- Sprinkle the 2 ½ cups of ground oats into the bowl. Add enough reserved liquid from the drained salmon to help the dough come together – I used ¼ cup (60mL). Using a sturdy rubber spatula, stir the mixture until it forms a firm dough.
- Place the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper (or on a lightly floured surface) and roll out until dough is roughly 1/8" thick. *Dough will be stiff, this is normal.
- Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, or a knife to cut them into squares, then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Gather scraps and re-roll dough, cutting out more treats until all of the dough is used up.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and baked through. Remove from oven and let cool completely on baking sheet before feeding to your dog.Store leftover treats in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
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