We know fishy treats are all the rage right now.

They’re dominating the dog treat market with their sun-fished sized variety and aromatic taste, but the benefits don’t stop there. Treats from the deep blue sea are fully loaded with healthy perks targeting skin, coat, digestion and essential oils in one sweet and salty package.

Despite their booming popularity, some dog owners are concerned about the sourcing of treats from the big blue.

In an age where eco-friendly practices and sustainability have never been more important, it’s more than natural to ask all the right questions. We have to make informed decisions, so we don’t accidentally make the wrong one – ponder than purchase.

Is a smell that strong normal for a fish treat?

Whilst we might peg our nose to tear open a fresh bag of Tripe or Blue Whiting, most dogs are immediately drawn to the salty, savoury, addictive smell. And this is no coincidence. Compared to our measly sense of smell, canine smell receptors are practically super-powered.

While scientists are yet to confirm exactly how useful their sniffing capabilities are, they estimate somewhere between 10,000 to 100,000 more acute than human noses.

Why does smell matter so much? Compared to their enormous sensory range dogs only have very few taste buds, meaning they are mostly limited to discerning sour, bitter, sweet and salty and not much else. Rather than their taste buds, your dog’s sense of smell provides the most information on exactly what they’re chowing down on.

That salty, fishy, tangy smell that makes us scrunch our nose up? It drives them dog-gone wild!

What are the benefits of fish treats?

There’s something close to magical about the benefits of ocean treats, the unique protein offers perks that you just can’t get in the more commonly marketed meaty treats. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that promotes better health, lessening dry skin and boosting coat quality.

This means your dog’s shiny fur and hydrated skin come without any dry, dandruff-y conditions.

On the inside, Omega-3 does so much more. It’s a big proponent in boosting dog immune systems, particularly those of senior age. Omega-3 aids in common and debilitating conditions like arthritis and autoimmune diseases by decreasing inflammation and diminishing the occurrence of blood clots.

What’s the catch? Your dog is not capable of manufacturing Omega-3 himself and instead relies on outside sources – a.k.a, their diet – to fulfil their nutritional needs. This is where fishy, salty, smelly ocean treats come in: a dose of Omega-3 in the most delicious way, like a vitamin pill your doggo would eat all day, every day.

Sensitive stomachs can handle fish treats, too

When talking fish treats, the good news just keeps on swimming. Not only are they nutritionally beneficial (and necessary) for all dogs, they’re also adept at satisfying the taste-buds of sensitive dogs without the side effects.

Low fat, less dense and bursting with nutrients, fishy foods ease and aid digestion in the more sensitive stomached pets. They are less likely to trigger food-based allergies and are often one of the first suggested proteins for doggos undergoing an elimination diet.

Essentially, unless your dog is one of the very few allergic to seafood, you can feed fishy treats without fear, whether they’re prone to diet-based sensitives or not.

Are fish treats ethical?

Being environmentally conscious means being compassionate about sea-dwelling populations just as much as those on land. Within the last 50 years overfishing has become concerning, with companies employing unsustainable fishing habits that are pushing ocean populations of creatures to the brink of extinction.

To put your eco-friendly mind at ease, ensure the manufacturers of your fishy snacks are supporting sustainable fisheries: a process of fishing that respects the marine environment with little impact on wild fish populations.

In our bigger bites from the deep blue, like Shark Tail and Shark Skin Rolls, our motto holds true: we never let a good thing go to waste. We piggy-back off ethical companies who fish for human consumption and take away the bits they don’t want – but your doggo definitely will.

Fish is a crucial protein, including bountiful nutrients and benefits to your best friend.

WAG feels strongly about ethical consumption, ensuring that each and every ocean treat is fished and farmed responsibility. We believe that meeting your dog’s nutritional needs should be eco-friendly, environmentally responsible and above all sustainable.

So don’t flounder – dive in to ocean treats, and reap the benefits. We promise you won’t look back.

Real Talk about Fish Treats

We know fishy treats are all the rage right now.

Is a smell that strong normal for a fish treat?

What are the benefits of fish treats?

Sensitive stomachs can handle fish treats, too

Are fish treats ethical?

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