Tuna, salmon, classic favorites of cats. And dogs get beef, lamb—wait a second, why is Fido eating seafood? Are dogs capable of eating seafood?
Is my dog in danger?
Not necessarily, not all types of seafood are dangerous for dogs. Some seafood can be a nutritious addition to a dog's diet when chosen carefully and prepared properly. The key variables are species, portion size, and preparation method. Dogs are omnivorous animals, which means they can digest a wide variety of foods. That said, not every human food is safe for them. Dogs cannot eat everything and there are still some factors to be cautious of:
- The type of seafood
- How it is prepared
But seafood can actually prove to be very healthy and beneficial for dogs!
Why your pet SHOULD eat some seafood
Some types of fish and seafood can offer real nutritional benefits for dogs. Fish are actually rich in nutrients that keep dogs healthy. They have high contents of protein, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and more.
The benefits that these nutrients provide are as follows:
- Proteins: are responsible for muscle development, tissue repair, general upkeep of the body.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: help develop skin and coat health, joint support, brain function
- Vitamins and minerals (Vitamin B, Iodine, Selunium): help provide energy, increase metabolism, cellular protection
While fish can be highly nutritious, not all seafood is suitable for dogs. The benefits depend on the type of seafood and how it is prepared.
Which fish can dogs eat
While your pet may not be picky on the seafood you provide, for their safety, it is better to curate and select the appropriate feed. We have three categories for seafood evaluating if the food is safe to eat, should be fed with caution, or to be avoided:
- Safe to eat
Salmon, Sardines, Tuna (in moderation): These fish can be safely fed to dogs, provided that they are prepared correctly, meaning deboned to avoid choking hazards, and devoid of seasoning, which we discussed a bit in THIS article as seasoning can lead to complications such as irritation to digestion.
Though Tuna specifically should be fed in moderation, this is due to the high contents in mercury compared to other fish, which is as dangerous in humans as it is in pets.
- Used with caution
Shrimp (okay in small amounts), Shellfish: while not exactly dangerous, there are cautions to be considerate of. Some dogs may be sensitive or allergic to shellfish, so it should be introduced slowly and in small amounts.
- To be avoided
Raw fish: Raw fish possibly contains parasites as well as bacteria. Though there are other considerations to a raw diet that you discover here.
Boney fish: As mentioned previously bones in fish are potential choking hazards. Fish for dogs should always be thoroughly deboned before serving.
Heavily seasoned or fried fish: This should be avoided entirely. Unlike the previous food, which if prepared correctly can be used at the user’s discretion, heavily seasoned or fried fish should not be fed to your pets as they may irritate the digestive system and make food harder for pets to tolerate. Furthermore, certain seasonings such as garlic and onion powder are toxic for pet consumption.
Dogs are mostly omnivorous, with some even preferring seafood for the strong smell and taste! As such most of the seafood mentioned are possible to be fed to your pet if prepared and portioned correctly!
Main takeaway for Fido
For pet parents, the challenge is not just choosing safe ingredients, but making sure the overall diet stays balanced and complete.
That is where a well-formulated commercial diet can make feeding simpler and safer. KEOS Adult Dog – Ocean Fish & Vegetables Flavor is developed with complete daily nutrition in mind, following FEDIAF nutritional guideline while delivering a flavour dogs enjoy.
Rest assured, your pets will be eating good with our simply good kibbles.
