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Dog Nutrition

How to Cook Salmon for Dogs: Vet-Approved Recipes & What to Know

Patricia Dickson
By Patricia Dickson · Reviewed & fact-checked by Dr. Paola CuevasVet Approved
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Reviewed & Fact-Checked byDr. Paola CuevasVeterinarian
Dr. Paola Cuevas is our Senior In-House Veterinarian at Dogster and Pangolia. She has over 19 years of experience working with an array of species and loves sharing her knowledge and experience with our readers and aims to provide assistance with any issue presented by your non-human family members. She received her degree from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico.View authorThe information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more
Updated on July 10, 2026
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raw salmon meat on wooden board

Most pet parents know salmon is a nutritious treat for their canine friends. However, some owners don’t know the best way to cook salmon for dogs. Salmon should never be offered raw to a dog since salmon poisoning can occur if the dog ingests raw salmon contaminated with a parasite fluke that carries Neorickettsia helminthoeca. To prevent this, cook the salmon before offering it to your dog. Cooking the fish removes bacteria, parasites, and other dangerous contaminants that could make your dog sick. The last thing you want is for your pup to become sick after you feed them their favorite treat.

We’ll tell you how to cook salmon and give you a couple of tried-and-true recipes for your beloved canine.

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How to Cook Salmon

Cooking salmon is a pretty straightforward process. To make the salmon safe for your dog, remember to cook it to 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure you cook the salmon with no garlic, onions, or other seasonings that could make your dog sick.

As long as you’re not using spices, you can cook salmon for your dog the same way you cook it for humans. Garlic and onions are toxic to dogs, and you should also avoid seasoning the fish with their fresh or powdered forms. Granulated garlic and onions are even more hazardous for your pet and must be avoided.

Image Credit: amenic181, Shutterstock

These recipes have been approved by a veterinarian because they include only dog-friendly ingredients, however, some of these recipes are not complete and balanced diets to feed your dog on a daily basis. These recipes are a great add-on to your dog’s diet. They are only meant to be fed on occasion and not as a regular staple diet. Please consult your veterinarian to help you decide what is the best diet for your dog.

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Easy Salmon Recipe (Salmon and Sweet Potato)

There are more than a few recipes for salmon for your dog, but this Salmon and Sweet Potato recipe is simple to make and one of our favorites.

Ingredients

  • 1 Salmon filet per dog (less for smaller dogs)
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 head of broccoli

Directions

Your pup is unlikely to consume an entire sweet potato or head of broccoli with the salmon, but you can separate the portions so you can enjoy them with additional seasonings.

  • You can fix your sweet potato mash by boiling it and then pureeing it in a blender until smooth. You’ll only need to serve 2 tablespoons to your dog.
  • Steam the broccoli for about 10 minutes.
  • For the salmon, heat one teaspoon of coconut oil over medium heat and cook the salmon for four to six minutes a side, depending on the thickness. With an 8-ounce filet, you can serve four chopped pieces of salmon for a small dog and six pieces for a large dog over the sweet potato and broccoli.
Image By: Andreas Lischka, Pixabay

Baked Salmon Treat for Dogs

If you want to serve salmon as a treat rather than a meal, you can bake a small portion of a salmon filet in an oven preheated to 350° F for 20 minutes. You can use a non-stick cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Check the salmon with a thermometer to ensure it’s cooked, and wait for it to cook for a few minutes before chopping it and serving it to your dog.

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Wrap Up

Salmon is an excellent treat for your dog and is used in many high-quality dog foods. Raw salmon should never be offered to your dog. It’s best to cook the fish to 145°F so the bacteria and parasites in the raw salmon will not make your dog sick.

It’s very important never to add garlic or onion since they are toxic to dogs. It is also best to avoid adding butter or other seasonings to your dog’s salmon, as they can upset the dog’s stomach and digestive tract. Other than that, if you fix the dog’s salmon correctly, you can enjoy this tasty dish together and take comfort in knowing it’s a healthy treat for both of you.

See Also:

Sources

Featured Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay

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Patricia Dickson
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Patricia Dickson

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