Can Dogs Eat Fish? 6 Types of Fish Dogs Can Eat

Dogs can eat certain types of deboned, cooked fish. While whitefish, salmon, and sardines can be a safe addition to a balanced diet, do not feed your dog fried seafood like fish sticks or fish with high levels of mercury like tuna. Always cook frozen or fresh fish fillets without seasoning and remove any bones in the fish. It is not safe to incorporate any raw fish into your dog’s diet. Uncooked fish may contain parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, and flukes that can lead to a host of health problems for your dog.

If your dog does not have a fish allergy, you can feed your dog fish oil supplements to promote healthy skin and boost their immune system. Dogs can eat other seafood, including shellfish like scallops, mussels, and clams.

While there are benefits of fish for your dog’s health, there are risk factors for dog owners to consider. Some of the hazards of feeding fish to your dog include:

1. 1. Food allergies: While fish can provide a natural source of protein, eating fish can lead to an allergic reaction in some dog breeds.
2. 2. Harmful bacteria: Dogs can ingest harmful bacteria (like listeria or salmonella) by eating raw fish, which may cause vomiting, a distended stomach, and diarrhea.
3. 3. Large amounts of oil: Canned fish packed in oil, like anchovies or sardines, are unhealthy for dogs. Too much oil can lead to obesity or health issues like pancreatitis.
4. 4. Parasites: A major risk of feeding your dog raw fish is intestinal parasites like roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. They may cause vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea.
5. 5. Small bones: Small fish bones, which humans are unlikely to detect in raw fish, present a choking hazard for dogs, and can even cause damage to their internal organs. Bones can also puncture your dog’s mouth.

There are several types of fish your dog can eat in small portions—if you cook it and remove the bones. Dogs can eat:

1. 1. Cod: A common ingredient in commercial dog food, cod can be a good source of protein for your dog.
2. 2. Haddock: You can add cooked haddock to your dog’s food as a protein source. Haddock is full of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
3. 3. Flounder: This mild whitefish can be an excellent source of protein for your dog.
4. 4. Salmon: Cooked salmon offers health benefits to your dog as a source of selenium and omega-3 fatty acids; however, dogs cannot eat smoked salmon as it has a high salt content and may contain dangerous bacterias that can lead to salmon poisoning.
5. 5. Sardines: This oily fish can be a source of protein and essential fatty acids for your pet. Always steam fresh sardines instead of frying them; if you opt for canned sardines, choose fish packaged in water rather than oil.
6. 6. Tilapia: Though this fish is mild, avoid adding seasoning when preparing it for your pet.

Any large fish with a long life span is not safe for your dog to eat. These large fish—such as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and albacore tuna fish—accumulate heavy metals; the high amounts of mercury in their system make them dangerous for dogs.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your pet’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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