Cod is a mild white ocean fish sold as fillets, loins, frozen portions, salted cod, and dried bacalao products. It is used in baked fish dishes, stews, chowders, fish cakes, and battered fried meals. Cod is a lean protein source and also appears in some fish-based pet foods.
Fresh and frozen cod are usually prepared by baking, steaming, poaching, pan-searing, or grilling. Restaurant and frozen prepared versions are often breaded, fried, buttered, or heavily salted. Salt-cured cod products can contain far more sodium than plain fresh fish, and seasoning blends may include garlic, onion, or spicy sauces. Salt cod is often soaked before cooking, but soaking does not reliably reduce sodium to plain-fish levels.
Fish bones and cartilage fragments should be removed before sharing any fish with pets. Raw fish carries parasite and bacterial risk. For pets, the lowest-risk option is plain fully cooked boneless cod in small pieces without oils, batter, or salt. Canned cod and fish cakes may include breadcrumbs, onions, and salted broth. Some frozen cod portions are pre-brined before packaging.
