Can Dogs Eat Seafood? 4 Benefits and Risks

Dogs can eat some types of seafood on occasion. Generally, cooked fish is safe for dogs, but shellfish have more potential health risks. Avoid feeding your dog raw seafood to prevent the transmission of parasites and foodborne illnesses. Cooked fresh or frozen fish works best; canned fish can contain harmful preservatives. When preparing seafood, remove any bones or outer shells to prevent choking, and avoid cooking oils and seasonings that can cause gastrointestinal upset.

Frozen or fresh fish or seafood for dogs is safe in small portions and as an occasional snack. If your dog has health issues or food allergies, stick to a more strict diet. However, if your vet says your dog is in good health and can enjoy some properly prepared human food now and then, you should feel free to bake or grill safe fish species occasionally and cut them into small pieces for your pooch to enjoy.

Most dog breeds will enjoy cooked fish or shellfish as a treat. Follow these steps to feed seafood to your dog safely:

1. 1. Avoid seasonings. Bake or grill the fish without seasonings, butter, or oil to prevent an upset stomach.
2. 2. Cook the seafood thoroughly. Cook seafood properly, so it is easy to digest. For example, undercooked octopus can be tough and chewy. Never feed raw seafood to dogs as it can contain harmful bacteria and parasites such as roundworms and tapeworms.
3. 3. Go for small fish. Small fish like cooked tilapia, mackerel, flounder, and most whitefish and salmon are safe fish for dogs. 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 levels of mercury in their system make them dangerous for dogs.
4. 4. Prepare the seafood. Wash the fish and remove its bones. Fish bones can be choking hazards, so it is best to serve fillets.
5. 5. Remove the shell. When preparing crustaceans, like crab or lobster, extract the cooked meat from the claws and outer shell. This is essential for mollusks, too, like scallops, mussels, and oysters.
6. 6. Serve in small pieces. Cut the shellfish or fish into small pieces and feed them to your dog one at a time. If seafood is a new food for your pup, feed only a little bit and monitor for allergic reactions or other side effects. Always consult a vet or dog nutritionist if you are unclear about what is best for your dog’s diet.

Seafood is a natural source of protein and healthy fats and can promote your dog’s health. Consider the following nutrients and benefits of many types of fish and shellfish:

1. 1. Minerals: Seafood is rich in minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and manganese, amongst others, which assist with maintaining strong bones, blood sugar levels, metabolism, and more.
2. 2. Omega-3 fatty acids: Fish is a lean food with low-fat levels. Fish skin and shellfish contain Omega-3 fatty acids, lowering cholesterol and improving your dog’s coat.
3. 3. Protein: Seafood is a dense protein source that gives dogs energy and keeps their muscles strong.
4. 4. Vitamins: Seafood is a good source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. Together, these boost your dog’s immune system, cell health, eyesight, and more.

There are several dangers of feeding seafood to dogs, which mostly boil down to the food preparation:

1. 1. Choking hazard: Fish bones are brittle, can get caught in dogs’ throats, and even penetrate organ walls, so remove them before serving.
2. 2. 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. Salmon poisoning disease occurs when the parasite Nanophyetus salmincola, typically relatively benign, gets infected with the organism Neorickettsia helminthoeca.
3. 3. Seafood poisoning: Uncooked seafood can lead to an upset stomach, salmonella, or listeria.
4. 4. Weight gain: Too much seafood, or seafood prepared with fats, can lead to weight gain.

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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