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If you鈥檝e ever taken a glimpse at the ingredients in your dog鈥檚 food, then you know that fish is frequently on the menu. Just because it鈥檚 an ingredient in dog food, however, doesn鈥檛 mean that dogs can safely eat just any old fish. If you want to add a fishy treat to your dog鈥檚 diet, here is what you need to know.
Benefits of Fish for Dogs
Dogs love the smell of fish, and in this case, there is a reason. Fish is a healthy source of protein and is often included in commercial as an alternative protein source. It鈥檚 rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may have health benefits, such as decreasing inflammation. Fish is also a good alternative for dogs with food allergies to more common ingredients, like chicken.
Fish can be an important part of a home-cooked diet, but if you choose to feed a homemade diet with fish, be sure to consult your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to ensure you鈥檙e meeting all of your dog鈥檚 nutritional needs. The first time you give your dog any fish, give only a small portion. You can give bigger portions once you determine if your dog can tolerate that particular fish without an allergic reaction or gastrointestinal upset.
Best Types of Fish for Dogs
There are many fish in the sea, but the most common types of fish used in commercial dog food are shorter-lived species like salmon, ocean whitefish, lake whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char. Longer-lived fish species, like tuna and swordfish, can contain heavy metals like mercury. Mercury builds up over time in the fish鈥檚 system and can lead to heavy metal toxicity. Feeding a shorter-lived fish species is preferable to tuna or swordfish. With so many fish to choose from, it鈥檚 better to be safe than sorry.
Risks of Feeding Fish to Dogs
Fish itself isn鈥檛 harmful to dogs, but the way we prepare it can cause problems. Fish cooked in too much oil can cause GI upset in dogs. It can even lead to serious illness, such as pancreatitis. Seasonings may also cause serious health problems for dogs, especially if they contain toxic ingredients, like garlic. The biggest risk of feeding fish to dogs, however, is bones.
Can Dogs Eat Fish Bones?
Fish bones are small, brittle, and dangerous. They can lodge themselves in your dog鈥檚 mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines, sometimes even perforating the organ wall. Not only is this painful, it can also result in an expensive visit to the veterinarian.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Fish?
Raw fish is at risk of carrying harmful bacteria like and listeria. This is problematic for two reasons. One, it can make your dog sick, and two, , it can also make you and other members of your family ill. This is especially worrisome for small children, who may come into more contact with your dog鈥檚 saliva than adults, and for people with compromised immune systems. If you choose to feed a raw diet with fish, make sure you take the appropriate precautions suggested by the FDA for preparing your dog鈥檚 meals. These include thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces and bowls after use and washing your hands.
How Much Fish Is Too Much Fish for Dogs?
Too much of a good thing can become a problem. Plain, cooked, steamed, or grilled fish is fine for dogs to eat in moderation. Too much fish can lead to obesity. Consult your veterinarian about appropriate serving sizes of fish for your dog, especially if you feed fish as a regular part of their diet.
As humans with varied diets, we tend to forget that dogs that eat a complete and balanced dog food don鈥檛 need additional nutrition, unless recommended by a veterinarian. Table scraps, including fish, aren鈥檛 necessary for your dog鈥檚 health. But, fish can make a good occasional , as long as owners keep an eye on their dog鈥檚 weight. A general rule of thumb to follow for portion control is to make sure treats only make up 10%聽of your dog鈥檚 daily diet.
So, Can Dogs Eat Fish?
To make a long story short, yes, dogs can eat fish. Fish can be a part of a healthy diet for your dog, provided it鈥檚 fully cooked without any additional oils and seasonings, doesn鈥檛 contain any bones, and isn鈥檛 a species prone to high levels of mercury, such as tuna. For more information about dog nutrition or feeding fish to your dog, contact your veterinarian.