Fish cake (odeng)
CautionKorean fish cake is surimi blended with salt, sugar, starch and seasoning, then fried — a processed food, not fish. The more urgent hazards are the wooden skewer it is served on and the garlic-and-soy broth it sits in.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Gastrointestinal blockage
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased thirst
- Increased urine volume
- Tremors
- Pancreatitis
- Abdominal pain
- Itching
More about this food
Odeng, the fish cake sold on Korean street carts and in every Asian grocery, looks like a reasonable protein because it is made from fish. For a dog it is better classified with imitation crab sticks and hot dogs: surimi paste blended with salt, sugar, wheat or potato starch and flavor enhancers, then fried or steamed. Almost nothing useful about the fish survives the process.
The first hazard is not sodium, it is the skewer. Street-cart and convenience-store odeng comes on a wooden stick, and a stick that smells like fish is one of the most attractive objects a dog will ever find in a trash can. Swallowed whole it does not digest, and the pointed end can puncture the esophagus or the bowel. Gastrointestinal perforation is emergency surgery. Skewers go in a lidded trash can, not an open kitchen bin.
Second is the broth. Odeng broth is anchovy and kelp stock finished with soy sauce, salt, minced garlic and scallion. Garlic and scallion are Allium species that oxidize canine red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia. Pouring that broth over kibble, or letting the dog lick the cup, is a garlic exposure, not just a salty snack.
Third is sodium and fat. The Merck Veterinary Manual puts clinical signs of salt toxicosis at 2-3 g/kg of sodium chloride and the lethal dose around 4 g/kg in dogs. One stolen fish cake rarely reaches that. The real problems are the habit of sharing a piece daily and the frying oil, since high-fat meals can trigger pancreatitis, which VCA describes as starting with vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy and, in severe cases, progressing to shock.
Fourth is allergens. Most fish cake contains wheat and soy, so a dog with a wheat or soy sensitivity can react with itching and GI upset.
If your dog got a piece, leave fresh water freely available and watch. Call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you see heavy drinking and frequent urination, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, tremors or staggering. Call now, before any signs, if a skewer may have gone down or if the dog drank garlic-containing broth. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- Is one bite of fish cake dangerous?
- A single small piece usually passes without incident. It is still a fried, salted, sugared processed food with no reason to be in a dog's treat rotation. If you want a fish treat, use plain cooked white fish with the bones removed instead.
- My dog swallowed the wooden skewer. What do I do?
- Call your veterinarian or an emergency hospital right now. Wooden skewers do not digest, they are sharp on one end, and they can perforate the esophagus or intestine. Tell them the time and the length of the stick, and do not induce vomiting or reach into the mouth.
- He drank some of the broth. Does that matter?
- Yes. The broth is finished with soy sauce, salt, minced garlic and scallion, and both garlic and scallion are toxic to dogs. Call your vet with the amount and the time, then watch for pale gums, weakness or red-tinged urine over the next several days.