Can Dogs Eat Tuna? When Can Tuna Be Dangerous? | Purina (2024)

FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Tuna? When Can Tuna Be Dangerous? | Purina? ›

When fed very occasionally in moderation, dogs can eat tuna as it's unlikely to cause health issues. Every dog is different, so it's important to offer very small quantities at first to see how your dog reacts.

Tuna is one of the most commonly eaten fish, so it makes sense to wonder if our canine companions can safely consume it too. The answer is yes, dogs can eat tuna safely and it is not toxic to them.

Because dogs are smaller than humans, and because there are no recommendations for how much tuna a pup can eat safely, it's best not to feed tuna, whether raw or canned, to your dog at all.

Can Dogs Eat Canned Tuna? Dogs should not canned tuna due to the amount of mercury in the fish. Mercury, a heavy metal, can build up in your dog's body if you feed them a significant amount of tuna fish. Avoid all types of tuna, including skipjack, bigeye, yellowfin, bluefin, and albacore tuna.

The FDA recommends consuming no more than 2-3 servings (about 6 ounces) of low-mercury fish like canned light tuna per week. High mercury levels can lead to health issues like impaired vision, coordination problems, and neurological disturbances, particularly in pregnant women or young children.

But too much tuna can pose a risk to dogs who eat large amounts of the fish or snack on it too often. If Fido happens to steal an entire can of tuna, he might experience an upset stomach, especially if the tuna was packed in oil instead of water. In fact, tuna packed in oil can lead to pancreatitis in dogs.

Safe Fish for Dogs

They also provide rich omega 3's and plenty of antioxidants. Whitefish such as flounder and cod can help a dog with a need for cooling proteins. Canned wild-caught sardines, mackerel, and canned tuna fish (not albacore) in water with no salt added will definitely make your puppy happy.

Mixing tuna with dog food could be a splendid choice. This approach is more than just tantalising for your pup's taste buds; it's brimming with health perks! Tuna is a powerhouse of protein and essential nutrients, perfect for dogs. Omega-3 in tuna boosts skin, coat, and overall canine health.

Eggs are nutritious for both people and dogs. They can be tasty treats or a hearty breakfast, whether they're hard-boiled, poached, scrambled, or over easy. A cooked entire egg or yolk can be good for your dog, unless your pet has a pre-existing health condition like acute pancreatitis or diabetes.

Clinical Findings of Mercury Poisoning in Animals

Due to the its corrosive nature, inorganic mercury produces primarily gastrointestinal signs, including anorexia, stomatitis, pharyngitis, vomiting, diarrhea, pain; as well as shock, dyspnea, and dehydration. Death often occurs within hours at high levels of exposure.

What fish can dogs not eat? ›

Other fish to avoid with high levels of mercury include albacore tuna, swordfish and king mackerel. If you do choose to serve up a small portion of tuna as a rare treat, look for tuna without any additives. “Another issue with tuna, and canned tuna specifically, is the carrier oil that is used,” Dr. Wilson says.

Absolutely. There are many varieties of fish that are good for dogs. “Tuna, salmon, whitefish, cod and whiting (also known as hank) are all good fish for dogs to eat,” says Dempsey. “Purina uses fish in our foods because it is a good source of many of the nutrients dogs need,” Dempsey explains.

In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

One big takeaway is that albacore has much more mercury than light or skipjack tuna, regardless of the brand. That's not surprising, since albacore is larger and lives longer than the tunas that make up the light tuna or skipjack tunas.

In general, eating canned tuna once or twice a week is safe. It's also good practice to add a variety of fish to your diet, including smaller species and shellfish with lower mercury levels than large species like tuna.

Monitor your dog closely for the next 24-48 hours. If your dog starts to vomit, has diarrhea or doesn't not defecate, has a tender abdomen, or seems uncomfortable, then you will need to take your dog to your veterinarian.

“No tuna salad,” Dr. Bonk says. “While most ingredients are safe for dogs, they just don't need the additional calories that things like mayonnaise bring. Also, seasonings like salt, onion and garlic can be toxic or harmful if consumed in large enough amounts.”

Tuna allergies in dogs are rare but not unheard of. Symptoms of a potential tuna allergy include excessive itching, red or inflamed skin, swelling, especially around the face and ears, and digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea.