PAWUP Freeze Dried Minnows&Salmon Cats&Dogs Treats

The Verdict

The short version: If your cat turns their nose up at every treat you’ve tried, or your dog needs a high-value reward that isn’t a greasy meat stick, PAWUP’s freeze-dried minnows and salmon are worth a shot. At 4.4 stars from 220 ratings, it’s not a perfect product — but it’s a genuinely useful one for pets who need protein-dense, single-ingredient motivation.

What you actually get
A pouch of freeze-dried whole minnows and separate salmon pieces. The minnows are roughly the size of your pinky nail — small, light, and brittle. The salmon comes in bite-sized flakes and chunks. Both are 100% freeze-dried with no added salt, oils, or binders. As shown in the product image, the pouch is straightforward: a clear bag with minimal branding, which honestly tracks with the “no-frills ingredient” positioning. Some batches include a zipper seal; others don’t — that’s a real inconsistency multiple buyers flagged.

Performance and real-world use
The texture is the standout feature. Freeze-drying preserves the crunch, so minnows snap cleanly rather than turning into chewy mush. That crunch provides mild dental abrasion — think of it like a tiny, fishy biscuit. For cats, the minnows are about the right size for a single crunch. For small dogs, they work as a high-value training reward that doesn’t crumble into a mess on your carpet (though the powder at the bottom of the bag is a real thing — it happens).

The salmon pieces are softer and more flaky, which makes them easier to break into smaller bits for training sessions. One buyer noted: “My cat is a senior with missing teeth, and she can eat the salmon without any trouble. The minnows she has to crunch, so I only give her those as a treat, not a meal topper.” That’s a fair split — max crunch for dental benefits, softer salmon for older pets.

What buyers consistently praise
The picky-eater factor is the most repeated win. Over and over, reviewers mention pets who ignore other treats but go after these. One customer wrote: “I’ve tried every expensive treat at PetSmart. My cat ignores all of them. She heard this bag crinkle from the other room and came running.” The smell is strong — fishy, but not rotting-fish offensive — which seems to be exactly what triggers the food drive in stubborn pets.

The single-ingredient aspect also matters for owners with allergy-sensitive pets. No grains, no chicken byproduct, no artificial colors. If your pet has a poultry sensitivity, these are a safe swap.

Where it falls short
The fragility is the biggest con. Minnows arrive whole, but if the bag gets jostled in shipping (or your dog gets excited and knocks it off the counter), you’ll have a pouch of fish dust. Multiple ratings mention this. It’s not a dealbreaker — the dust still works as a topper on wet food — but if you wanted whole, intact minnows for training, expect some breakage.

The no-resealable-zipper inconsistency is annoying. When you get a batch without a zipper, the freeze-dried fish absorbs moisture from the air and can soften within a week. You’ll need a clip or a separate airtight container. Not a flaw in the treat itself, but a packaging oversight that matters for a moisture-sensitive product.

Who should buy this

• Cat owners with picky eaters — this is the primary use case. If your cat turns down everything else, try this.
• Small-dog owners doing training — the minnows are the right size for quick rewards, and the salmon breaks into tiny bits for multiple reps.
• Pet owners managing allergy diets — single-ingredient treats are a clean way to reward without triggering sensitivities.

Who should skip it

• Large dogs — minnows are too small to be rewarding for a 70-pound dog; they’ll swallow them without noticing.
• Owners who need intact, uniform treats — if breakage bothers you, the lack of consistency will frustrate you.
• Pets with kidney issues — fish-based treats are naturally higher in phosphorus; check with your vet if this applies.

FAQ

Can I use these as a meal topper?
Yes, crumble them over wet food. The powder from broken minnows actually works well for this.

How many calories per treat?
The manufacturer doesn’t list per-piece calorie counts, but freeze-dried fish is low-calorie. A single minnow is roughly 1-2 calories; a salmon piece is around 3-5. Safe for daily training use in moderation.

Are these safe for puppies and kittens?
Yes, if they’re weaned and eating solid food. The minnows are brittle enough that even a small puppy can crunch them. Just supervise the first few times to ensure they chew rather than gulp.

The verdict
Buy it if: your pet is a picky eater, you want a single-ingredient treat with no fillers, or you need a crunchy reward that won’t leave greasy residue on your hands.
Skip it if: you have a large dog, need perfectly intact treats, or have a pet with kidney concerns.

Rating: 4.2/5 — The picky-eater success rate carries this product past its packaging flaws. It does exactly what it promises: a clean, protein-dense treat that most pets actually want.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.