Fish for Dogs: A Complete Guide

How to feed a dog fish

To prevent health risks, always feed your dog fish that is fully cooked. Ensure every bone is removed as fish bones can pose severe choking and gastrointestinal perforation hazards.

Ideally, opt for short-lived, low-mercury fish such as salmon, sardines, whitefish, cod or flounder. Avoid large predatory fish like swordfish or king mackerel which accumulate dangerous levels of heavy metals.

Tinned fish is already cooked so you don’t need to further cook that.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What are the best types of fish for dogs?
A. The best types of fish for dogs are oily fish because they contain the most omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish include salmon, anchovies, mackerel, sardines, trout and herring.

Q. Which types of fish are safest for dogs?
A. The safest fish options for a homemade diet are short-lived, smaller species and lean whitefish. These fish are highly digestible and carry a much lower risk of heavy metal accumulation. That said, all fish are safe for dogs to eat.

Q. Which fish should be avoided?
A. It is said you should completely avoid large, predatory or long-lived fish because they accumulate dangerous levels of mercury and industrial toxins over their lifespans. Those fish include swordfish, shark, king mackerel and albacore tuna.

Q. Can I feed my dog raw fish?
A. As a general rule, no. Certain fish such as members of the salmon family can harbour harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Listeria, as well as dangerous parasites like flukes and tapeworms. Furthermore, raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down vitamin B1 (thiamine). Over time, feeding raw fish can lead to a severe thiamine deficiency, causing neurological problems. Cooking entirely destroys this enzyme and kills pathogens.

Q. How should fish be prepared for a homemade diet?
A. When preparing fish at home, keep the preparation as simple and clean as possible. Fish bones are sharp and brittle. They pose a choking hazard and can puncture your dog’s stomach or intestinal tract. Bake, steam, poach or grill the fish before feeding it to your dog. Never feed your dog fried or breaded fish (like fish fingers), as the excess fats can trigger acute pancreatitis.

Q. Can I feed my dog tinned fish?
A. Yes, tinned fish is ideal as it requires no preparation and you can feed the entire contents include the bones which are soft enough not to cause your dog any harm.

Tinned fish in spring water is best, but if you buy tinned fish in oil, brine or tomato sauce and you are concerned about feeding those to your dog, pour away the juice and rinse the fish under the cold tap. None of these are harmful to healthy dogs — it’s purely a matter of personal preference.

Q. Can fish be the only protein source in a homemade diet?
A. While fish is an excellent protein source, relying on a fish-only diet over a long period can cause nutritional imbalances. Oily fish (like salmon) can be too high in fat for daily, exclusive feeding and may upset a dog’s stomach or impact the liver. To ensure your dog gets a complete profile of vitamins and minerals, fish is best utilised as a rotating protein source alongside other lean meats.