Salmon Dog Treats: The Recipe Sherlock Pretends He Doesn't Beg For

If your dog treat drawer is starting to look like a produce aisle, it's time for a protein upgrade. These salmon dog treats use just three ingredients — real salmon, egg, and oat flour — and skip every filler, added salt, and mystery flavoring that shows up in most store-bought bags.

Why Salmon Dog Treats?

Salmon is a lean, easily digestible protein and a rich source of omega-3s — a solid rotation option if your dog is already eating chicken or beef in their regular food. This recipe uses canned salmon for convenience — no cooking down a fresh fillet required — but the method works with any plain, boneless, cooked salmon you have on hand.

What You'll Need

• 1 can (14.75 oz) boneless, skinless salmon, packed in water — drained
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup oat flour, plus more as needed for dough consistency

This post contains affiliate links. If you shop through them, Little Mood Shop may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

A bone-shaped cookie cutter set makes quick work of shaping these — not required, but it turns a five-minute step into a nice-looking batch.

How to Make Salmon Dog Treats

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mash the drained salmon with a fork until broken up.
3. Add the egg and mix until combined.
4. Stir in the oat flour a little at a time until a firm, non-sticky dough forms.
5. Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thick and cut into shapes, or roll into small balls and flatten with a fork.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until firm and lightly golden at the edges.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Is Salmon Safe for Dogs?

Yes — plain, fully cooked, boneless salmon is safe for most dogs and is a common ingredient in commercial dog foods. Skip raw salmon, anything smoked or seasoned, and canned salmon packed in oil or brine with added salt.

Can I Use a Different Fish?

Yes. Canned tuna or cod both work the same way — just make sure it's plain, boneless, and unsalted. (If you want a treat built around a different fish entirely, we've got a whole separate recipe for sardines.)

How Long Do These Last?

Store cooled treats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Speaking of tracking what's safe to feed, our personalized dog-safe food magnet is a handy fridge reminder for ingredients like these — no added salt, no seasoning, no guesswork.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many salmon treats can I give my dog?

Treats should stay under about 10% of your dog's daily calories — for most small-to-medium dogs, that's 1–2 of these per day depending on size.

Can puppies eat salmon treats?

Once puppies are eating solid food, small amounts of plain cooked salmon are generally fine — check with your vet if your puppy has any known food sensitivities.

Do I need to remove skin from the salmon?

Canned salmon skin is soft and safe to include. If you want to use the skin on its own instead, we've got a dedicated dehydrated salmon skin chew recipe for that.