Whiting fish heads5/29/2023 ![]() ![]() A general rule of thumb to follow for portion control is to make sure treats only make up 10 percent of your dog’s daily diet. Table scraps, including fish, are not necessary for your dog’s health, but fish can make a good occasional treat for dogs, as long as owners keep an eye on their dog’s weight. Too much fish can lead to obesity, so consult your veterinarian about appropriate serving sizes of fish for your dog, especially if you plan to feed fish as a regular part of her diet.Īs humans with varied diets, we tend to forget that dogs that are fed a commercial, complete, and balanced dog food do not need additional nutrition unless recommended by a veterinarian. Plain, cooked, steamed, or grilled fish is fine for dogs to eat in moderation. Too much of a good thing can become a problem. If you choose to feed a raw diet with fish, make sure you take the appropriate precautions suggested by the FDA for preparing your dog’s meals, like thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces and bowls after use, and washing your hands. This is especially worrisome for small children, who may come into more contact with your dog’s saliva than adults, and for people with compromised immune systems. One, it can make your dog sick, and two, according to the FDA, it can also make you and other members of your family ill. Raw fish is at risk of carrying harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria. While there are plenty of anecdotal stories about dogs eating fish bones without issues, in this instance, it is better to heed the advice of veterinarians and play it safe. Not only is this painful, it can also result in an expensive visit to the veterinarian. They can lodge themselves in your dog’s mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines, sometimes even perforating the organ wall. The biggest risk of feeding fish to dogs, however, is bones.įish bones are small, brittle, and dangerous. Seasonings may also cause serious health problems for dogs, especially if they contain toxic ingredients, like garlic. Fish cooked in too much oil can cause GI upset in dogs, or even lead to serious illness such as pancreatitis. Risks of Feeding Fish to Dogsįish itself is not harmful to dogs, but the way we prepare it can cause problems. With so many fish to choose from, it is better to be safe than sorry. Mercury builds up over time in the fish’s system and can lead to heavy metal toxicity, which is why feeding a shorter-lived fish species is preferable to tuna or swordfish. Longer-lived fish species, like tuna and swordfish on the other hand, can contain heavy metals like mercury. ![]() There are many fish in the sea, but the most common types of fish used in commercial dog food are shorter-lived species like salmon, ocean whitefish, lake whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char. The first time you give your dog any fish, give only a small portion until you determine if your dog can tolerate that particular fish without an allergic reaction or gastro-intestinal upset. Fish is also a good alternative for dogs with food allergies to more common ingredients, like chicken.įish can be an important part of a home-cooked diet, but if you choose to feed a homemade diet with fish, be sure to consult your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to make sure you are meeting all of your dog’s nutritional needs. ![]() Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which according to veterinarians may have health benefits such as decreasing inflammation. Fish is a healthy source of protein and is often included in commercial dog food as an alternative protein source. Benefits of Fish for Dogsĭogs love the smell of fish, and in this case, there is a reason. If you want to add a fishy treat to your dog’s diet, here is what you need to know. Just because it is an ingredient in dog food, however, does not mean that dogs can safely eat just any old fish we throw their way. If you’ve ever taken a glimpse at the ingredient panel of your dog’s food or examined other brands of dog food in the store, then you know that fish is frequently on the menu.
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