The answer to this is not as straightforward as you might have hoped. In truth, tuna can be both safe and toxic for dogs, depending on the species.
The purpose of this article is to assist you in determining when it is appropriate to feed your dog tuna and when it is preferable to avoid doing so. We’re here to assist you in keeping your pooch happy and healthy!
Is Tuna Good For Dogs?
Yes, it is — but only in modest doses. Tuna is a source of protein that can be found in commercial dog food products. This is especially beneficial for dogs with delicate stomachs that are unable to tolerate poultry protein effectively.
Tuna protein, in particular, can be quite good for sensitive dogs, allowing them to acquire the nutrients they need without experiencing stomach discomfort. Aside from that, because it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, it also provides significant health benefits to dogs.
Then Why Is Tuna Bad For Dogs?
Tuna is not generally a dangerous food for dogs to consume. Since fish generally contains less calories and more protein, as well as healthy omega-3 fatty acids, it sounds like a great supplement to any dog’s diet.
However, there is the issue of mercury levels in tuna to take into consideration. As far as mercury levels go, canned and fresh tuna both contain high levels of mercury out of all fish.
The consumption of an excessive amount of a mercury-containing food increases the likelihood of your dog acquiring mercury poisoning, which can be fatal in some cases.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Tuna?
There’s a good probability that if you find that your dog has eaten a piece of tuna, they’ll be alright. However, if you discover that they’ve eaten a lot of tuna or that they’ve been eating it regularly, you should be concerned about mercury poisoning.
Mercury toxicity in dogs can cause a variety of symptoms, some of which are as follows:
Behaving erratically and dizzily, diarrhea with blood vomiting, loss of hair, an injury to the renal system, and blindness etc. If you see any of the above symptoms after your dog eats tuna, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
If your dog seems to crave tuna all the time, it’s a good idea to switch to salmon, arctic char, or flounder instead.
Can Dog Eat Canned Tuna?
Canned tuna in tiny amounts is safe and healthful for your canine companion. Choose fatty tuna or small pelagic tuna over larger forms of tuna (such as big eye or blue fin), if you want to reduce the amount of mercury in each serving.
Tuna’s high salt content can also pose a risk. Because too much salt in canned tuna can be harmful to dogs, you should avoid giving it to them if you can. Spices and herbs that are acceptable for humans to consume, can make dogs sick.
Can Puppies And Pregnant Dogs Eat Tuna?
Tuna can be an excellent source of additional lean protein for pregnant dogs and pups that have already been weaned from their mother’s milk.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Tuna?
Absolutely not! Raw tuna should not be served to dogs. Raw fish of any kind can be infested with parasites or bacteria that can make your dog extremely unwell. A substance called thiaminase is also present in raw fish, which prevents the absorption of vitamin B1.
When the fish is cooked, this harmful enzyme is no longer a concern, which is still another reason why tuna should be completely boiled before it is served in your dog’s food dish.
How Much Tuna Can My Dog Eat?
Even while tuna is packed with nutrients, the risk of mercury poisoning means it should only be consumed as an occasional treat. The quantities should be limited and tuna should not be served on a daily basis.
Monitor your dog’s reaction by introducing a small amount at a time. Within 24 hours, if there is an allergy or other health issue, it will be obvious. Over the course of a week, large breed dogs can consume one can of tuna, but it doesn’t mean that they should be presented with this every week.
Over a week, small dogs can comfortably eat around half a can of tuna. Depending on your pet’s size, weight, and medical requirements, your veterinarian can advise you on the appropriate amount of tuna to give them.
How To Serve Tuna To Your Dog?
You should buy tuna in stakes if you wish to cook it for your pet, and prepare it by steaming, grilling, or baking. Remove any bones and seasonings before cooking, and don’t use any salt. Ingestion of fish bones can cause irritation or physical injury to your dog’s digestive tract since fish bones are very small and can abrade or puncture the lining of the digestive tract.
When feeding tuna fish to dogs, avoid feeding them the fins, tail, and head, as these parts can cause choking and can also cause oral trauma, which increases the risk of intestinal perforation. It is important to carefully clean, de-bone, and fillet freshly caught tuna before offering it to your dog or cat.
If you don’t want to bother with cooking, canned tuna is another option. Just make sure it’s packed in water and doesn’t contain any spices or additives before you buy it.
Final Word
Despite the fact that tuna is a contentious food item for both humans and dogs, a small amount of this fish may be beneficial to both. Larger than most other fish, tuna often eats tiny prey, which may contain harmful metals such as mercury.
So, it’s possible that mercury concentrations in long-lived tuna are high. So, if you’re looking for tuna for your dog, make sure it’s fresh, hasn’t been seasoned, and has as few bones as possible.
