Fish Paws: A Grain-Free Dog Treat Recipe Your Fur Kid Will Love

There’s something fishy going on with my latest dog treat recipe creation. I’m being serious … the main ingredient is a can of sardines! The tiny fish sure do pack a big flavor kick that most dogs seem to love. Plus, sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, making them beneficial to your pup’s health.

I always know a recipe loaded with good-for-your-dog ingredients is a winner when I pull a tray out of the oven and my dogs immediately start sitting, wagging their paws toward me, spinning around in circles, and pulling out all of their other cute tricks. They will do just about anything to get a nibble!


The Beneficial Ingredients

Sardines – This recipe calls for one can of skinless, boneless, wild-caught sardines in water. They’re a great source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, they offer a nice dose of various minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins D and B12.

Egg – Used to help bind the ingredients in this recipe, the egg provides another protein boost!

Almond Flour – Also used as a binder in this recipe, almond flour is both gluten-free and grain-free (perfect for dogs who suffer from an intolerance).

Turmeric – This yellow spice has been used for its medicinal purposes for centuries. Its powerful anti-inflammatory properties are believed to be a result of the bioactive ingredient curcumin. While I only use 1/4 teaspoon in this recipe, a little goes a long way!

Black Pepper – Experts say black pepper can actually help your dog’s body better absorb turmeric. According to Dog’s Naturally Magazine: “The active component of black pepper, piperine, may inhibit the liver from quickly excreting curcumin. So it’s really as easy as adding a pinch of black pepper to help your dog better absorb turmeric.”


My Tip For Fish Paws Success

In the video above or the written directions below, you’ll see that I don’t add the almond flour into my food processor with the rest of the ingredients. As tempting as it is to skip the extra step (and not dirty an extra bowl), it’s essential for this recipe’s success … especially if you’re rolling these into little meatball-like treats. That’s because when you add the flour into the food processor along with the other ingredients, the mixture becomes too thin (making it hard to shape)


The Recipe

Fish Paws: Dog Treat Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can plain, skinless, boneless, wild-caught sardines in water
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • Pinch black pepper
  • 1/4 cup almond flour

Instructions
 

  • Pre-heat oven 350ºF.
  • Drain canned sardines well.
  • Add drained sardines, egg, turmeric, and pepper into a food processor. Mix until you’re left with a thick paste consistency. 
  • Spoon mixture into a mixing bowl.
  • Add flour and mix in with a spoon.
  • Either form into little balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet OR stuff into a silicone mold of your choice.
  • Bake 15 minutes.
  • Let cool before serving to your drooling dogs!

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Want More Recipes Just Like This?

In my cookbook Proud Dog Chef: Tail-Wagging Good Treat Recipes, I’ve dedicated an entire chapter to gluten-free and grain-free bites like this. It’s called Burgers & Bites and it’s packed with egg-based snacks, salmon-based bites, beef-filled bones, and chicken treats. 

Take a peek inside my cookbook to see what else it has to offer.