Get 50% OFF your starter box! Try now!
Can dogs eat fish? The most basic answer is yes, and in many cases, fish can provide healthy protein and nutrients in a dogβs balanced diet. If youβve ever sat down to a salmon dinner and your pup is nearby, you probably know that most dogs love the smell. If youβre wondering whether itβs okay to mix some of that oceany goodness into your dogβs bowl, consider these tips for feeding dogs fish.
Fish is an easy way to give your dog high-quality protein. In Natural Dog Care, Bruce Fogel, DVM, MRCVS, writes, βProteins are complex molecules made up of a variety of amino acids.β He explains that for dogs, βProtein, transported via the blood, helps tissues grow or repair.β The protein in fish also provides energy for your dog while helping in the creation of hormones and enzymes important for your dogβs overall health.
Unlike other protein sources, fish is especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The omega-3 fatty acids naturally found in fish, called EPA and DHA, help your dog maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, making fish oil great for joint health and cognitive function. There is even some evidence that fish oil can slow the growth of cancer in dogs.
The health benefits of fish oil for dogs are why Ollie uses fish oil or cod liver oil in its recipes, all of which meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.
Fish is a healthy βsometimes foodβ for dogs, but unlike chicken, beef, or lamb, it does not have all the vitamins and minerals required by the AAFCO to be a βcomplete and balancedβ meal. Fish is best enjoyed alongside other types of meats to ensure that your dog is getting all the nutrition he needs to stay healthy.
If you are cooking fish for your dog, itβs also important to be wary of bones. Small bones in a fish fillet that are easy for humans to remove as they eat can be harmful to pets. Fish bones can get lodged in a dogβs throat, causing a choking hazard, or can tear a dogβs gastrointestinal tract if swallowed whole.
Mercury poisoning is another risk for dogs who eat too much meat from bigger fish, including tuna and swordfish. While not common, mercury poisoning is very dangerous for dogs. Mercury poisoning in dogs can potentially cause blindness, kidney damage, and tremors.
The best kind of fish for dogs is low-mercury fish, prepared simply. Good choices of fish for dogs include salmon, cod, haddock, and flounder. If you are preparing fish for your dog, make sure to buy boneless fillets and inspect them with a fork after cooking to avoid dangerous fish bones. Bake or steam fish without seasoning. Garlic and onions can be toxic for dogs, while too much oil or butter can cause vomiting or diarrhea, and may eventually lead to pancreatitis.
Unless you really want to fork over sushi-grade tuna to Fido, never give your dog raw meats, including fish. Uncooked fish may carry harmful bacteria that can make both you and your pup sick.
Tagged As:
The nutrition your dog needs,
the food they want.
Enjoying our articles? Subscribe our Newsletters and get new articles directly to your inbox
2 January 2023
3 MINS READ
If you love apples and would love to share them with you pup. Read on to find out how to give your pup an apple as a treat.
by Ollie Pets
2 January 2023
4 MINS READ
Wondering if (and how) you can share some oats with your best friend? Read on to learn more!
by Ollie Pets
1 December 2022
14 MINS READ
With the holiday season about to kick off, you might be wondering which seasonal treats you can share with your pup and which should be avoided. Learn everything you need to know in our complete gu…
by Ollie Pets