Which fish is safe for dogs? Most dog owners tend to think that fish is only good for cats. This, however, is not true because dogs love fish too. In my homemade dog food recipe, I use whitefish, cod, tuna, salmon, herring and whiting.
Among the fish that you should avoid are king mackerel, swordfish, shark, tilefish, and swordfish. The reason is simple. They usually catch these types of fish when they’re older and they might contain high levels of mercury or parasites in their skin.
NEVER give your dog (or humans) raw fish because you are risking giving them parasites or bacteria such as Salmonella, Clostridium and Listeria. This type of bacteria poses a serious threat to the health of mammals.
Is Fish Soup Safe for Dogs?
Fish soup that is prepared for humans might not be safe for dogs because it might contain flour, spices, vinegar, and similar ingredients. The best way to ensure that you’re giving safe food to your dogs is to prepare it yourself.
Fish soup is both healthy and tastes good to dogs. The safest option is to buy fish that has been deboned and cook it before giving it to your dog.
Benefits of Fish Soup for Dogs
Aside from being tasty and rich in flavor, our fish soup for dogs recipe contains many vital nutrients that are extremely healthy for dogs.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Fish oil contains an abundance of these fats that play an important role in boosting the immune system and it has anti-inflammatory function. Giving your dog a fish-based meal once per week helps prevent many types of cancer, lupus, heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 is also good for fighting depression and improving eyesight.
Chicken liver for dogs – This vital protein will clean your dog’s blood of toxins. It is full of vitamins and contains essential fatty acids, copper, zinc, and iron.
Veggies for dogs – Carrots are great for dogs because they contain vitamin A and fibre; the same is true for green beans which also contain important minerals.
Curly Parsley for Dogs – Be careful not to give your dog excessive amounts of curly parsley, but in small doses, it is good for their urinary tract and kidneys.
- 2 lb (1 kg) whitefish, cod or salmon
- 1 lb (500g) chicken livers
- 6 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock
- 2 cups of fresh water (tap is fine if it’s safe to drink)
- 1 cup green beans (trimmed)
- 1/2 cup plain white rice
- 4 large carrots
- 1 large potato
- 3 tbsp chopped curly parsley
Step 1.
Making proper fish soup is all about preparation. So first inspect the deboned fish carefully to make sure there are not hidden bones and chop it into medium sized squares. Set aside.
Step 2.
Wash the carrots and potato, peel them and chop them into small cubes. Set aside.
Step 3.
Place the fish, chicken livers, and green beans inside a pan and add the chicken (or vegetable) stock and water. Bring to fast boil then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
Step 4.
After 15 minutes add the carrots, rice, and potato to the soup and continue simmering for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Step 5.
At this point all the ingredients should be cooked and all that is left is to add the curly parsley, mix well, and remove from heat. Let it cool off for 20 minutes and serve it to your dog. You can serve it alone or dip some bread into it for a satisfying meal.
One cup of this meal will be good for a single serving of a 20 lb dog.
You can freeze this homemade dog food recipe leftovers in plastic containers for up to 1 month. Freeze them in daily portion and defrost in the fridge the night before. Make sure you give this soup to your dog at least once every week.
Buon appétit!
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