Stockfish

What is stockfish?

Stockfish is not a specific fish, but a term for air-dried fish. The name comes from the Norwegian word "stokkfisk", which means "fish on sticks". This is because the fish are hung up to dry on wooden racks called "stokker". The drying process takes several weeks or months, depending on the weather conditions. The fish loses up to 80% of its weight and becomes as hard as wood. To make stockfish edible, it must be soaked and cooked again before consumption.

Stockfish is a very old method of preserving fish, which was already used by the Vikings. Today, stockfish is particularly popular in Norway, Portugal, Italy and Spain. It is rarely found in Germany, except in specialized stores or online stores.

What are the benefits of stockfish for dogs?

Stockfish has several benefits for dogs that make it a healthy and tasty snack or food:

• Stockfish is rich in high-quality protein, which is important for muscle building and cell regeneration.
• Stockfish contains many omega-3 fatty acids, which have an anti-inflammatory effect and support the immune system, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.
• Stockfish provides many vitamins (especially vitamins A, D and B12) and minerals (especially iodine, selenium, phosphorus and calcium), which are important for the health of the skin, coat, eyes, bones and teeth.
• Stockfish is easily digestible and digestible for dogs that have no intolerances or allergies to fish.
• Stockfish has an intense smell and taste that attracts many dogs and gives them pleasure.
• Stockfish can be used as a chew that strengthens the chewing muscles and promotes teeth cleaning.

What are the disadvantages of stockfish for dogs?

Stockfish also has some disadvantages for dogs that you should be aware of:

• Stockfish can be very salty as it is often dried with salt water. Too much salt can disturb the fluid balance and lead to thirst, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Stockfish can contain bones that can cause injuries to the mouth or digestive tract when chewed or swallowed.
• Stockfish can contain harmful substances such as heavy metals or pesticides, which can accumulate in the fatty tissue of the fish. These can be harmful to health in the long term.
• Stockfish can contain too much iodine, which can lead to hyperthyroidism. This can manifest itself in symptoms such as weight loss, nervousness or palpitations.

What should you watch out for when feeding stockfish?

If you want to feed your dog stockfish, you should pay attention to a few points to minimize possible risks:

• Choose stockfish from a trustworthy source that guarantees high quality and low levels of contaminants. Pay attention to the country of origin, the expiry date and the organic label.
• Soak the stockfish in water before feeding to soften it and wash out excess salt. Then boil it in fresh water to soften it even more and kill any germs.
• Remove any bones from the cod before giving it to your dog. You can use tweezers or a fish scaler to do this.
• Only feed your dog small amounts of stockfish to avoid an overdose of iodine or other nutrients. Once or twice a week is sufficient.
• Observe your dog when eating stockfish and watch for possible signs of intolerance or allergy, such as itching, rash, diarrhea or vomiting.