Fish isn’t only tempting for us humans (at least some of us, as I know way too many people who absolutely despise eating fish), dogs also like to eat fish, most notorious of which are salmon fish and tuna fish.
But before delving into the details of whether including fish in your dog’s diet is beneficial to them or not, how much fish you should actually feed your dog and what kinds of fish are best to give to dogs, one essential questions must be answered.
Guessed it yet?
It’s the question that got you here in the first place! Can dogs eat fish?
Can Dogs Eat Fish?
YES, dogs can eat fish!
We gather here today to debunk the good old myth that dog owners like to spread around about how fish is bad for dogs.
Truth is, dogs can very safely eat fish.
But, to feed your dog fish safely, there are some issues you must know about, or else you would be giving the folks that like to say “dogs can’t eat fish!” to anyone and everyone they see a case study to prove that they’re right.
How Can Dogs Eat Fish?
First of all, let’s get the basics right straight out of the bat.
DO NOT feed your dog raw fish, because they contain bacteria inside them that may very well lead to food poisoning.
If your dog indeed eats raw fish and they get food poisoning, you can tell because they would probably show some of these signs:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increase in size of lymph nodes.
If your dog shows these signs and they don’t get professional treatment and this issue goes on for more than a week or two, your dog is at a huge risk of dying.
So this should not be taken lightly. You want your dog to die of old age not food poisoning!
The sooner you get your dog into treatment (which should be as soon as you find out something’s suspicious), the higher chances they have of recovering well.
Raw fish also contains an enzyme that can lead to vitamin deficiency in dogs.
This is why you should always carefully cook the fish to ensure that all the bacteria and parasites inside it are existent no more. Poof!
Also, fish bones ARE NOT safe for dogs to eat, because there’s a very high chance of them getting stuck in your dog’s throat and cause choking.
How Much Fish Can Dogs Eat?
Fish excessively fed to your dog in any way, whether it be cooked or raw, most probably will lead to:
- Vitamin B deficiency
- Protein overload in the body, which leads to organs being exhausted
- Behavioral changes
- Decreased appetite
- Seizures
- Coma
- In extreme cases, death
This is why while small amounts of cooked fish can be fed to your dog, it is recommended that you only do so in extreme moderation and only from time to time.
Why Is Fish Good For Dogs?
Fish is good for dogs because it:
- Is an excellent source of high quality proteins and essential amino acids, both of which are essential for a vast amount of body functions
- Is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (especially in fish such as salmon and trout), which dogs must get from their diets because their bodies cannot manufacture them on their own. Omega-3 fish oils work wonders in both you and your dog’s body.
- Is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus
- Aids in the development of dog muscles
- Helps preserve dog bone strength
- Helps keep your dog’s teeth condition in top form
- Helps fight against arthritis and joint-pain
- Helps improve the condition of your dog’s skin
- Low in saturated fats (the bad kind of fat) and high in unsaturated fats (the good kind of fat that works health miracles)
