Homemade dog food for dry skin: mackerel and sweet potato
Homemade dog food for dry skin: omega-3-rich mackerel, egg, sweet potato and oats. How long before you see it in his coat, and when to see the vet.
- Time
- 45 min + 10 min resting
- Makes
- About 1.25 kg / 2.8 lb (2 days for a 15 kg / 33 lb dog, about 3 for a 10 kg / 22 lb dog)
- Type
- Main meal
- Difficulty
- Easy
- 29 % fresh mackerel, boneless
- 29 % sweet potato
- 18 % rolled oats
- 9 % carrot
Follows THE RULE. All 7 ingredients are on our safe list: nothing that could harm your dog.
This homemade dog food for dry skin is built on mackerel, one of the oily fish richest in the omega-3s EPA and DHA, together with egg, sweet potato, oats, peas and carrot. It is for dogs with fine dandruff or a rough, dull coat once the vet has ruled out parasites, allergies or hormones as the cause: diet supports the skin, but it does not replace that diagnosis.
The mackerel fillets bake in 12 minutes and are flaked while still warm, which is when the bones come away most easily. It has a strong smell that most dogs love, so it is also a good choice for picky eaters. The cooked oats bind everything into a juicy mix that does not separate in the bowl.
Why it works
Mackerel provides protein and, above all, the omega-3s EPA and DHA, which are part of skin cell membranes and can help reduce dryness and flaking with a few weeks of consistent use. Egg adds biotin (in the yolk, and readily available because it is cooked), zinc and more quality fat, all of them involved in coat health. Sweet potato provides beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, and oats and peas, energy, fiber and some zinc. Carrot rounds out the vegetables, and eggshell balances the calcium with the phosphorus in the fish. There is no salmon oil: the mackerel already covers the omega-3.
Talk to your vet first. Dry skin and dandruff can be caused by parasites, allergies, fungal infections or hormonal problems. Have your vet rule out those causes before relying on diet alone.
Step by step
Bake the mackerel
Preheat the oven to 180 °C / 350 °F. Place the fillets skin side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, with no oil or salt, and bake until the flesh is opaque and separates into flakes.
Cook the sweet potato and vegetables
Meanwhile, boil the sweet potato and carrot in unsalted water; add the peas for the last 5 minutes. They should be tender, with the sweet potato just about to fall apart.
Cook the oats
Cook the oats in 250 ml (1 cup) of water over low heat, stirring, until they have the texture of thick porridge.
Boil the eggs
Boil the eggs for 10 minutes from when the water comes to a boil, cool them and peel them.
Flake the mackerel
While the mackerel is still warm, remove the skin if you like and flake the flesh with your fingers, checking every flake: that is how you find the fine bones left along the center of the fillet.
Mix in the calcium
Drain the vegetables, mash them a little and mix them with the oats, the mackerel and the chopped eggs. Sprinkle in the eggshell while you stir. Let it cool to lukewarm before serving.
How much should I feed?
Approximate daily portion for a "spayed or neutered adult" profile. Split it into two meals (three or four for puppies).
— g a day
| Weight | 3 kg | 5 kg | 10 kg | 15 kg | 20 kg | 30 kg | 40 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grams/day | 185 | 270 | 450 | 610 | 760 | 1,030 | 1,275 |
Puppy, senior, very active or on a diet? Calculate the exact portion.
- Energy
- 140 kcal/100 g
- Protein
- 39 % dry matter
- Fat
- 25 % dry matter
- Calcium:phosphorus
- 1.4 : 1
Values estimated from the ingredients (BEDCA/USDA data). An everyday meal. To feed it daily as the only food, add a vitamin and mineral supplement for homemade diets.
Storage
Fridge: up to 2 days, because it is oily fish; keep it tightly closed so the smell does not get into other food. Freezer: up to 1 month, in one-day portions (oily fish fat goes rancid sooner than meat fat). Thaw in the fridge and serve lukewarm.
If you don't have…
- You cannot find fresh mackerel
- Fresh sardines, cleaned and boned, in the same amount
- You prefer a milder fish
- Fresh salmon, skinless and boneless, in the same amount
- Your dog does not tolerate oats
- 70 g (⅓ cup) uncooked white rice, cooked separately
Cooking tips
- Give it time: skin renews itself in about three weeks, but changes in the coat usually take 6 to 12 weeks of consistent diet to show. Take a photo of his back when you start so you can compare.
- If you rotate this recipe with others, keep some omega-3 in his diet on the other days, for example salmon oil for dogs at the manufacturer's dose.
- Look at his baths too: washing him more than once a month with human shampoo dries the skin out a lot. Use a mild dog shampoo.
- For this to be his daily food he needs a vitamin and mineral supplement for homemade diets, which usually also contains the vitamin E that pairs well with omega-3s.
Safety
- Mackerel always cooked and very fresh: raw, it can carry Anisakis, and if poorly stored it builds up histamine even if you cook it afterward.
- Check for bones flake by flake: mackerel bones are fine and can lodge in the mouth or throat.
- Never use canned mackerel with added salt, pickled (escabeche-style) or smoked mackerel.
- If the dry skin comes with intense itching, sores, bald patches or a bad smell, it is not a diet problem until your vet confirms it.
Frequently asked questions
What can I give my dog for dry skin?
What usually helps most is a diet with enough quality fat and omega-3, such as oily fish or salmon oil for dogs, along with complete protein and egg. Look at his baths and shampoo too. Before that, your vet should rule out parasites, allergies or hypothyroidism, which are common causes of dry skin and dandruff.
Is mackerel good for dogs?
Yes, cooked boneless mackerel is very good for dogs: it provides protein and plenty of the omega-3s EPA and DHA. Always give it fresh, baked or boiled, with no salt or oil. Avoid raw mackerel, because of Anisakis, and canned mackerel with salt or in a vinegar marinade. Because of its fat, it is better as part of a meal than as a treat.
How long does omega-3 take to improve a dog's coat?
It usually takes 6 to 12 weeks of daily intake to show, because the new hair has to grow in with that fat. The skin may flake less a little sooner. If you see no change after three months, or it gets worse, talk to your vet: there may be another cause behind it.
Why does my dog have dandruff?
Dandruff in dogs can be caused by bathing too often, central heating and dry air, a diet low in fat, parasites such as Cheyletiella, allergies or hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism. If it is mild and your dog is otherwise well, review his diet and baths. If there is itching, bald patches or sores, see your vet.
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