All-natural dog chews are a preferable option to commercially-made chews, as they offer a safer and healthier alternative. Not only do they aid in alleviating dogs' biting and nipping tendencies, but they also provide essential nutrients such as calcium and proteins.
What Are the Benefits and Downside of Fish Skin for dogs?
Benefits: nutrient-rich treats.
Fish skin is a natural dog chew that is rich in protein and minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc, while being low in saturated fats and calories. Additionally, it contains high levels of omega-3 fats, which possess anti-inflammatory properties, and contribute to maintaining healthy brain function, vision, and nervous system in dogs.
Downside: raw fish skin can cause food-borne illnesses.
It is not recommended to offer raw fish skin to dogs as an all-natural dog chew because it can contain harmful bacteria such as salmonella and listeria that can be transmitted to both pets and humans. Instead, it is advisable to choose dried or dehydrated fish skin.
If you want to make this all-natural dog chew at home, you should bake it to eliminate all harmful microorganisms.
Downside: some types of fish skin are high in toxins.
It is important to note that some fish species are more prone to water pollutants and heavy metals, causing them to accumulate high levels of toxins on their skin. Therefore, it is crucial to verify the type of fish used in the production of fish skin dog chews. Ideally, opt for small, wild-caught fish species like sardines and cod, as they tend to have lower toxin concentrations.
