Saba costs a fraction of what salmon does and carries even more omega-3, which feels like it ought not to be allowed. The trade-off is that this mackerel sweet potato dog food recipe is genuinely rich, so it suits lean, active dogs and coats that need work. It is not the one for a dog watching their weight.
Mackerel ranks among the highest common food fish for omega-3, but total fat is high (about 49 g per 1000 kcal), making this a high-fat formulation; best for dogs needing skin and coat support, lean body condition or high activity, and not as a sole long-term diet.
Ingredients (standard batch)
| Ingredient | Amount | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen mackerel (saba) fillet | 1.4 kg | defrosted |
| Sweet potato | 900 g | peeled and diced |
| Carrot | 300 g | diced |
| Rolled oats | 150 g |
This batch yields about 2.6 kg of food (about 4,069 kcal), roughly 7 days for a 10 kg adult dog.
Method
- Put the sweet potato and carrot in a pot, cover with water and boil 12 minutes until soft.
- Steam the mackerel 8 to 10 minutes until cooked (or dry-fry without oil or salt).
- Flake the fish, checking each piece and removing all bones.
- Stir the oats into the pot for 2 minutes, then mix in the fish.
- Cool and portion per the dosing table.
Estimated nutrient analysis (base recipe, before supplements)
| Item | Per 100 g | Per 1000 kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Metabolisable energy | 159 kcal | – |
| Crude protein | 11.2 g | 70 g |
| Fat | 7.7 g | 49 g |
| Carbohydrate | 10.8 g | 68 g |
| Dietary fibre | 1.8 g | 11.1 g |
| Calcium | 22 mg | 0.14 g |
| Phosphorus | 152 mg | 0.96 g |
The base recipe supplies only 0.14 g of calcium per 1000 kcal, far below an adult dog’s requirement, so supplementation is essential. Adding Eggshell Calcium Powder as per the table below (this recipe needs about 2.9 g per 1000 kcal) brings calcium to 1.25 g/1000 kcal (the AAFCO adult maintenance level), with a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.3:1 (ideal range 1.2 to 2:1). Daily Multi for Dogs, dosed by body weight, supplies 20 essential vitamins and minerals. Together they make the meal complete and balanced.
Feeding and supplement dosing (two meals per day)
| Dog weight | Daily energy need | Daily food | Batch lasts | Daily Multi (per meal) | Eggshell Calcium (per meal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kg | 251 kcal | about 160 g | about 16 days＊ | 0.5 g | 0.4 g (about 1/8 tsp) |
| 5 kg | 368 kcal | about 230 g | about 11 days | 1 g | 0.5 g (about 1/4 tsp) |
| 10 kg | 619 kcal | about 390 g | about 7 days | 1.5 g | 0.9 g (about 3/8 tsp) |
| 20 kg | 1,040 kcal | about 660 g | about 4 days | 2 g | 1.5 g (about 5/8 tsp) |
| 30 kg | 1,410 kcal | about 890 g | about 3 days | 2 g | 2.1 g (about 7/8 tsp) |
*For small dogs one batch lasts beyond the 2-week freezer guideline – scale the batch down proportionally. If you feed once daily, combine both meal portions of the supplements. Stir supplements in only after the food has cooled to just warm. Energy needs follow NRC (2006) MER = 110 kcal x BW(kg)^0.75 and vary about plus or minus 15% with neuter status and activity; weigh your dog every 2 weeks and adjust to body condition score.
Storage
Let it cool, then divide it into daily portions. Three days worth goes in the fridge (4°C) and the rest straight into the freezer, where it keeps for two weeks. Move tomorrow’s portion down to the fridge the night before, and warm it in a bowl of hot water before serving. Skip the microwave: it heats unevenly and leaves scalding pockets next to frozen ones.
Clinical notes
- Not suitable for dogs with pancreatitis history, hyperlipidaemia or excess weight – choose a low-fat recipe instead.
- Cook all meat and fish right through (core temperature above 75°C), and add no salt, sugar or seasoning at all. It will taste bland to you, which is exactly right for your dog.
- Onion, garlic, chives, grapes and chocolate are toxic to dogs. No amount is safe, and there is no exception to this one.
- Give your dog a week to change over, adding a little more of the new food each day, and keep an eye on stools, skin and appetite as you go. There is no prize for rushing it.
- These recipes are formulated for healthy adult dogs. For puppies, pregnant or nursing mothers, seniors, or any dog with a medical condition, talk to your vet before you start.
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