Can Dogs Eat Fish

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Whether you’ve caught your dog sniffing the air and pining after your plate of grilled salmon or spotted a few dog food brands touting it as the main protein, you may wonder if you can in fact feed your dog fish, and if so, how healthy it is healthy for him. Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, staff doctor at NYC's Animal Medical Center shares the answer and provides a few nutritional and safety facts to consider before making fish a regular part of your dog’s diet, below.

Can Dogs Eat Fish?

The simple answer: Yes, dogs can eat fish. “Fish can form the basis for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog,” Hohenhaus said. Not only can you cook up a fresh piece of fish for your furry friend, there are also are many complete and balanced fish-based dog foods on the market, she added.

Types of Fish That Are Safe for Dogs

Some of the fish most commonly found in dog foods as the main protein include ocean whitefish, lake whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, Arctic char and salmon pike. You can also steam, bake or grill these types of fish at home for your dog, just keep in mind that seasonings, like salt and pepper, and greasing options, like butter, oil and oil sprays, should be avoided. When feeding your dog a piece of fish (or any at-home-prepared protein), keep it plain and simple, remember to buy boneless fillets and inspect the fish before and after cooking to be sure no bones were missed.

Can Dogs Eat Tuna Fish or Raw Fish?

Heavy metals accumulate in long-lived fish like tuna and swordfish and can raise some health concerns, particularly when it comes to mercury. Because of the high levels of mercury found in these long-lived fish, as seen in this list of mercury levels released by the FDA, it might be wise to avoid giving your dog tuna and similar fish to eat. Fortunately, today’s dog foods tend to contain shorter-lived fish (like those listed above) to decrease the risk of heavy metal toxicity, Hohenhaus said.

In the case of feeding your dog raw fish, it’s better to be safe than sorry and properly cook all fish before feeding it to your pet. “Feeding [a dog] raw fish carries the concern for parasites being ingested that are normally killed by cooking,” Hohenhaus said. Additionally, the FDA believes that raw meat foods for animals can actually endanger the general public, putting the pet’s owner’s health at risk when the raw meat is not tended to or cleaned up after properly.

The Health Benefits of Eating Fish

If you stick to the list of shorter-lived fish and cook them properly, fish can be a sustaining, healthy meal for your dog. “Fish is an excellent source of protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have health benefits like decreasing inflammation,” Hohenhaus said. Additionally, fish-based foods may also be a good option for dogs with food allergies.

“Fish is not commonly in standard dog food and provides an alternative protein source to beef, chicken and turkey,” Hohenhaus said. Just read the label of your dog’s food carefully to be sure that it doesn’t contain other protein sources (those labeled as “fish recipe” or “fish formula” may also have other protein sources in them). “If your dog has allergies and your veterinarian recommends a homemade fish diet, be sure to follow the recipe exactly or you risk causing nutritional deficiencies,” she added. “For a long-term home cooked diet, you may want to have a recipe made by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.”

If your dog loves the taste of fish, let him gobble up all of the healthy benefits like omega-3 fatty acids and protein, but don’t forget about the other nutrients he needs like vitamins and antioxidants. “Dogs need more than just fish – they need a complete and balanced diet,” Hohenhaus said. “Any food you choose for your dog (fish-based or otherwise) should have the AAFCO label indicating the diet is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage.”

If you’ve ever taken a glimpse at the ingredient panel of your dog’s food or examined other brands of dog food in the store, then you know that fish is frequently on the menu. Just because it is an ingredient in dog food, however, does not mean that dogs can safely eat just any old fish we throw their way. If you want to add a fishy treat to your dog's 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 dog food as an alternative protein source. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which according to veterinarians 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 make sure you are meeting all of your dog’s nutritional needs. The first time you give your dog any fish, give only a small portion until you determine if your dog can tolerate that particular fish without an allergic reaction or gastro-intestinal 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 on the other hand, can contain heavy metals like mercury. Mercury builds up over time in the fish’s system and can lead to heavy metal toxicity, which is why feeding a shorter-lived fish species is preferable to tuna or swordfish. With so many fish to choose from, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Risks of Feeding Fish to Dogs

Fish itself is not harmful to dogs, but the way we prepare it can cause problems. Fish cooked in too much oil can cause GI upset in dogs, or 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’s 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. While there are plenty of anecdotal stories about dogs eating fish bones without issues, in this instance, it is better to heed the advice of veterinarians and play it safe.

Can dogs eat raw fish?

Raw fish is at risk of carrying harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria. This is problematic for two reasons. One, it can make your dog sick, and two, according to the FDA, 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’s 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’s meals, like thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces and bowls after use, and washing your hands.

How much fish is too much 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, so consult your veterinarian about appropriate serving sizes of fish for your dog, especially if you plan to feed fish as a regular part of her diet.

As humans with varied diets, we tend to forget that dogs that are fed a commercial, complete, and balanced dog food do not need additional nutrition unless recommended by a veterinarian. Table scraps, including fish, are not necessary for your dog's health, but fish can make a good occasional treat for dogs, as long as owners keep an eye on their dog's weight. A general rule of thumb to follow for portion control is to make sure treats only make up 10 percent of your dog's daily diet.

So Can Dogs Eat Fish?

To make a long story short, yes, dogs can eat fish, and fish can be a part of a healthy diet for your dog, provided it is fully cooked without any additional oils and seasonings, does not contain any bones, and is not 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.