Can Dogs Eat Fish: Salmon, Fried, Bones, Raw Fish Is Healthy
If you are reading this right now, you are almost certainly standing in the kitchen holding a piece of fish, with a dog staring up at you. This is the most commonly misanswered question in dog nutrition. This guide follows the official consensus advice of veterinary bodies worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Plain fully deboned cooked fish is safe and healthy for almost all dogs
- Raw fish, fried fish and fish bones are never recommended
- If your dog just ate a fish bone, do not induce vomiting. Call your vet immediately.
- Small short lived fish are the only safe option long term
- Fish should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Fish
Fish is generally safe and very healthy for most healthy dogs when it is properly prepared. There is almost never a simple yes or no answer. Safety depends almost entirely on what type of fish it is, how it was prepared, how much is fed, and how often.
All fish must be 100% deboned before being fed to any dog of any size. All seasoning, oil, butter, garlic and onion must be completely removed. Fish should always be fed in moderation as part of a balanced complete diet.
The three most common risks are choking on bones, digestive upset, and exposure to toxins or parasites. All three are almost entirely avoidable with correct preparation.
As a general rule endorsed by WSAVA fish should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake.
Can Dogs Eat Fish Every Day
Most dogs should not eat fish every day long term. While fish is very nutritious, feeding it daily can lead to two separate well documented problems over time.
First almost all fish contains trace amounts of mercury. These build up in the body over time. While a small amount once a week presents no measurable risk, daily consumption can result in accumulation over years.
Second fish is not a nutritionally complete food. Feeding too much fish will displace other nutrients your dog needs, and can lead to imbalances over time.
That said there are specific medical situations where a vet may recommend daily fish for a limited time, most commonly for severe skin allergies. Always follow your vet’s guidance.
For healthy dogs the recommended frequency is 1 to 3 servings per week.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Fish
Plain fully cooked fish is the safest and best way to feed fish to dogs. Cooking kills almost all parasites, bacteria and pathogens that can be present in raw fish.
The best cooking methods are boiling, baking or steaming. Do not add any oil, butter, salt or seasoning of any kind. Always allow fish to cool completely to room temperature before feeding.
| Dog Weight | Maximum Safe Single Serving |
|---|---|
| Under 10 lbs | 1 oz / 28g |
| 10 – 25 lbs | 2 oz / 56g |
| 25 – 50 lbs | 3 oz / 85g |
| 50 – 75 lbs | 4 oz / 113g |
| Over 75 lbs | 6 oz / 170g |
Is Fish Healthy For Dogs?
Fish is one of the healthiest whole food additions you can make to your dog’s diet. It is an extremely high quality highly digestible complete protein that is better tolerated than chicken or beef by approximately 40% of dogs with food sensitivities.
Fish is also the best natural source of long chain Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These support skin health, reduce shedding and itching, improve joint mobility, support immune function and contribute to healthy cognitive development in puppies.
For dogs with confirmed food allergies, fish is the most common first alternative protein recommended by veterinarians.
Use our veterinarian approved feeding guide to choose premium fish based dog food or treats that match your dog’s size and needs.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Fish
Raw fish is not recommended for most dogs. It carries three well documented significant risks.
First all raw wild fish can carry parasites. Most notably west of the Rocky Mountains raw salmon can carry the bacteria that causes Salmon Poisoning Disease. This condition is fatal in approximately 90% of untreated dogs. This risk does not exist east of the Rocky Mountains or outside of North America.
Second raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase which breaks down vitamin B1. Regular long term consumption can lead to severe thiamine deficiency, neurological damage and seizures.
Third raw fish carries the same risk of salmonella and listeria as any other raw meat.
If you choose to feed raw fish you should only do so under the explicit guidance of a veterinarian.
Can Dogs Eat Fried Fish
Fried fish is not recommended for dogs under any circumstances. Even if you remove all the batter and breading, the fish itself has absorbed large amounts of oil and fat during frying.
The biggest risk of fried fish is pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a very painful and potentially life threatening inflammation of the pancreas that is most commonly triggered by eating very high fat food.
If your dog steals a single small piece of fried fish they will almost certainly be fine, but it should never be intentionally fed.
Can Dogs Eat Fish Bones
You should never feed any fish bones to any dog of any size. This is the single most dangerous part of feeding fish, and one of the most common causes of emergency veterinary surgery for dogs.
Fish bones are small, sharp and brittle. They can get stuck in the throat, oesophagus, stomach or intestines. They can cause choking, internal bleeding, perforation and complete intestinal obstruction.
There is an extremely common and dangerous myth that small soft fish bones are safe. This is not true. In 12 years working with dogs I have personally seen three dogs require emergency surgery for sardine bones.
If your dog just ate a fish bone right now: Do not induce vomiting. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
What Fish Can Dogs Eat
The safest fish for dogs are small short lived species low on the food chain. These fish accumulate almost no mercury over their lifetime.
| Fish Type | Mercury Level | Safety Rating | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardine | Undetectable | Excellent | 2x per week |
| Herring | Very Low | Excellent | 2x per week |
| Pollock | Very Low | Great | 2x per week |
| Cod | Low | Great | 1x per week |
| Salmon | Low | Good | 1x per week |
| Tuna Canned Light | Medium | Avoid Regularly | Once per month maximum |
| Swordfish | Extremely High | Never | Do not feed |
What Fish Are Poisonous To Dogs
No fish is inherently poisonous to dogs. The risk comes exclusively from mercury accumulation that happens naturally in large long lived predatory fish.
The larger and older a fish is, the more mercury it will contain. Regular consumption of these high mercury fish will result in slow mercury poisoning over the course of months and years.
If your dog eats a single serving of one of these fish it will not cause harm. The risk is exclusively from regular long term consumption.
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Can Dogs Eat Goldfish
This question refers to two very different things.
Goldfish crackers are extremely bad for dogs. They contain very high levels of salt, artificial flavours and preservatives. A single cracker will not cause harm, but they have no nutritional value and should never be used as a treat.
Live feeder goldfish are very dangerous for dogs. They carry a very high parasite load, and also contain very high levels of thiaminase.
Can Dogs Eat Salmon
Salmon is one of the healthiest fish you can feed your dog. It has one of the highest natural Omega 3 contents of any commonly available fish.
Salmon must always be fully cooked before being fed to a dog west of the Rocky Mountains.
Can Dogs Eat Sardines
Sardines are almost universally considered the single best and safest fish you can feed your dog by veterinary nutritionists.
They are very small, live for only 1-2 years, and have undetectable levels of mercury. The best option is canned sardines packed in water with no added salt.
Can Dogs Eat Seafood And What Types Are Safe?
Most plain cooked shellfish is safe for dogs in moderation.
Shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels and clams are all acceptable as an occasional treat. They must be fully cooked, completely peeled, and served plain.
Raw shellfish should never be fed to dogs.
Explore our curated list of dog safe seafood treats to conveniently introduce variety into your dog’s diet.
Can Puppies Eat Fish
Fish can be safely introduced into a puppy’s diet from 12 weeks of age.
Fish is an excellent source of protein and DHA which supports brain and eye development in growing puppies.
Can I Give My Dog Fish Oil
Fish oil is one of the most well researched and beneficial supplements available for dogs.
Dosing is approximately 100mg of combined EPA and DHA per 10lbs of body weight per day. It is possible to give too much fish oil. Over supplementation can cause blood clotting issues and digestive upset.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Can Dogs Eat Fish
Can Dogs Eat Fish Without Getting Sick?
Yes, most dogs can eat properly prepared fish without getting sick. Almost all cases of dogs getting sick from fish are caused by raw fish, bones, seasoning, excess fat, or eating far too much at one time.
What Fish Can Dogs Eat Safely And Which Should Be Avoided?
The safest fish for dogs are sardines, salmon, cod, pollock, whitefish and herring. Dogs should completely avoid large predatory fish including swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, shark and marlin.