Can Dogs Eat Tuna?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Tuna is officially known as the ultimate cat treat, but dogs are also attracted to the strong smell of this pantry cupboard favorite. So, if your dog is whining for a bite, here are a few things you may want to consider before giving into those puppy dog eyes.
Can dogs eat tuna?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Experts have differing views when it comes to the query ‘is tuna safe for dogs to eat’. Tuna is utilized safely as part of the ingredients in a wide range of balanced dog food, but as a treat, feeding additional tuna, there’s conflicting advice available. Some experts are not afraid to say that this fish is okay, while others do not recommend adding extra tuna to your dog’s diet.
There are undoubtedly good reasons to be wary of tuna, but fed extremely occasionally in tiny amounts, tuna is not going to harm your dog. Every dog is different, so if you want to give a dog tuna it’s best to offer very small portions first, to see how your dog reacts.
Is tuna good for dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Moderately, tuna is a nutritious treat for a dog. As an oily fish, it contains lots of good omega-3, among other things – though, there are other good fish that are better for a dog to be consistently consuming.
What are the health benefits?
Let’s get into some of the health benefits of tuna:
- High in omega-3. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the body of a dog – they will provide a healthy coat and skin, a boost for the immune system, improved heart and brain function, and will reduce inflammation.
- Rich in protein. Protein is an important nutrient for muscle building, repairing and growing.
- Vitamins B12, selenium and niacin. Vital for metabolising energy, supporting the immune system, and for skin health and nerve function.
May puppies eat tuna?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Sometimes, depending on the type of tuna. It is okay to feed puppies tuna in moderation, provided you make use of Skipjack tuna, which has less mercury. Albacore tuna is rich in mercury and must be avoided, as your puppy will be at risk due to mercury poisoning. Should you want to feed a puppy fish, mackerel or salmon are generally safer options – and are still super tasty.
What to Do If Your Dog Ate Tuna
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Do not panic too much if your dog is able to sneak a tiny bit of tuna off your plate when you are not watching. Tuna is not poisonous to dogs, and a minuscule amount will not provide them with mercury poisoning.
If you have both a cat and a dog, make sure your dog is not pilfering the cat’s food, especially if it contains tuna.
If your dog eats tuna, watch out for possible symptoms of mercury poisoning. If they exhibit any of them, take them to the vet immediately:
- Hair loss
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Loss of vision
- Kidney failure (kidney damage, can’t urinate, bloated belly)
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of paws sensation
- Tremors
- Vomiting blood
- Diarrhea that is watery or bloody stool
Safer Fish Alternatives for Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? If you would prefer to treat your dog to fish, you would do better to choose a type with lower levels of mercury. The safest types of fresh fish are those used most often in commercial pet diets. These would be salmon, whitefish, herring, flounder, and Arctic char.
Signs of Mercury Poisoning in Dogs
Because of the mercury content, pet owners who do feed their pet dog tuna must understand the risk of mercury poisoning in canines who eat too much of the fish.
Call your veterinarian if your pet has the following symptoms of mercury poisoning:
Severe cases of mercury poisoning may cause kidney failure and blindness, so it’s best to restrict how much and how often your dog may consume tuna. Better yet, it’s best not to feed your dog tuna at all.
My Dog Ate Tuna. Now What?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? It’s not harmful for your dog if they eat a small serving of tuna and is okay as an occasional treat. But too much tuna is dangerous to dogs that eat large amounts of fish or snack on it too often. If Fido can steal an entire can of tuna, he might get a bellyache, especially if the tub of tuna was in oil instead of water. Really, tuna in oil can lead to pancreatitis in dogs.
Keep a close eye on your pet if they ingest a large amount of tuna, especially the varieties of tuna with higher mercury levels (like albacore tuna). If you find any of the symptoms of mercury poisoning, go to the vet right away for medication.
How Vets Treat Mercury Poisoning in Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? If you suspect your dog has mercury poisoning from consuming large amounts of tuna, call your vet right away. The sooner treatment occurs, the higher the chances you will avoid long-term health effects and recover successfully.
Treatment for mercury poisoning in dogs varies according to the severity of the poisoning and their symptoms. In some instances, treatment involves IV fluids and medication to manage vomiting and diarrhea.
Can dogs consume raw tuna?
Can Dogs Eat Tuna? No, raw tuna should not be given to dogs. Raw fish of any sort may be infested with parasites or bacteria that will make your dog seriously ill. Additionally, there is an enzyme found in raw fish called thiaminase that stops the dog from being able to absorb vitamin B1. Once the fish is cooked, the troublesome enzyme is destroyed, and that’s why another reason tuna needs to be cooked to death before it ends up in your dog’s bowl.
Interested in learning more about what dogs can and cannot eat? Here is our list of toxic foods for dogs. To learn more about the rest of our informative guides on what dogs eat, read the remaining articles in this series such as can dogs eat pork?