Salmon is one of the most popular food fish eaten around the world. It is a rich source of omega essential fatty acids and is also easy to cook and delicious to eat. But what about manās best friend? Can dogs eat salmon? Many pet parents are concerned about the mercury and heavy metal content in fish, and it is natural to wonder if salmon is safe to feed dogs.
The quick answer is yes, dogs can eat salmon. But you must take care to cook it properly to prevent parasitic infections. Please avoid adding too much salt, spices, or excess oil while cooking the salmon for your dog.
Nutritional Benefits of Salmon for Dogs
Salmon is a great source of nutrition for dogs. It contains a ton of protein and essential fatty acids like EPA and DHA. Additionally, salmon is packed with vitamins, like vitamin B12, niacin, and riboflavin. It also contains vitamin D3, which supports your petās bone health.Ā
Your dog will also benefit from salmonās antioxidant astaxanthin. This antioxidant is known to fight free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer and other inflammatory conditions. Salmon also contains selenium, potassium, and choline.
Is Salmon Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked salmon, in moderation, as long as they also get a balanced canine diet. Pet parents must also read up about some potential risks of salmon, such as mercury and heavy metal contamination. The good news is that farmed salmon contains a lot less of these contaminants compared to wild salmon, and you should easily get farmed salmon in your local supermarket.
Salmon, like all other food fish, contains bones, although it has fewer compared to those in other fish like sardines and herrings. But you can easily remove salmon bones after cooking it and before feeding it to your fur buddy.Ā
Never feed raw salmon to your pet because of its Anisakis nematodes content. These parasites can cause anisakiasis in humans and dogs. The good news is that cooking the salmon to an internal temperature of 145Ā°F (63Ā° C) kills these nematodes.Ā
(Cooked salmon changes color from translucent to opaque. You can also insert a thermometer in the thickest part of the salmon to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 145 F.)
How to Safely Prepare Salmon for Dogs
There are several delicious ways to cook salmon for dogs. It is best not to add any seasonings to the salmon as dogs should not be fed salt, oil, spices, butter, and other seasonings.
You can use a bit of olive oil to shallow fry the salmon fillets in a pan. Alternatively, you can bake, grill, or boil it. If you have an airfryer, simply pop the salmon in, set the temperature to 400 F, and roast for about 7-10 minutes, depending on the size of the fillets.
Also, it is important to remove the skin and bones of salmon before feeding it to your pet. Bones - especially cooked ones - can splinter and shatter, causing injury to your pup. The skin of salmon could increase the risk of choking, especially in younger dogs.
Potential Health Risks of Feeding Dogs Salmon
Eating raw salmon can be dangerous for dogs due to the risk of SPD, or Salmon Poisoning Disease. Also known as Fish Disease, SPD has been known to affect dogs that ate large quantities of fish caught along the Northern California coast, as well as some migratory river fish.
Another risk of raw or undercooked salmon for dogs is parasites like Anisakis nematodes, mentioned above. The larvae and eggs of these nematodes can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Cooking the salmon to 145 F can reduce this risk.
Never feed your dog cooked salmon with bones intact as they can cause choking. Cooked bones could also shatter, causing internal injuries or intestinal blockage in pets.
Another major risk of feeding a dog salmon that pet parents must consider is mercury and heavy metal poisoning. Wild salmon is known to contain heavy metals, and although this risk is lower than that of other types of fish, it is best to opt for farmed salmon.
Can Dogs Eat Salmon Skin and Bones?
Dogs may eat a bit of cooked salmon skin, but some dogs have been known to choke on it. The skin could even irritate their digestive tract and cause stomach upset.Ā
You should not feed your fur baby cooked salmon with bones in it. Cooked bones become fragile and could shatter inside your pooch. They can even pierce your dogās digestive tract. So, it is best to remove the skin and bones of salmon before feeding it to your fur buddy.
How Much Salmon Can I Feed My Dog?
Dogs and salmon can be a great combination as long as the fish is cooked properly and free from harmful additives. As a part of your dogās balanced and healthy diet, you can feed them salmon no more than once or twice a week. Always start slow and monitor your pupper for any allergic reactions like itching, upset stomach, etc.
Cook the salmon thoroughly to kill any parasites. Do not add any spices, salt, or other seasonings. You can add salmon as a food topper on kibbles, mix it with some rice or millets, or use it as a treat while training your dog.
Portion Sizes of Salmon for Dogs Based on Body Weight
Now that we have established the answer to the question, āIs salmon good for dogs?ā let us study how to feed it.
Puppies and toy breed dogs like Chihuahuas, Bichon Frise, Yorkies, etc. These dogs weigh less than 15 pounds or about 5-7 kilos. Start with a small serving of one ounce. In puppies, watch out for signs of allergies like itching, upset stomach, etc. Discontinue feeding if symptoms arise.
Small dogs like Pomeranians, Pugs, Dachshunds, etc. These dogs weigh about 15-25 pounds or about 10-12 kilos. Feed 2-3 ounces of salmon.
Medium dogs like Border Collies, Cocker spaniels, and bulldogs weighing between 11-40 kilos or up to 60 pounds can be fed 3-4 ounces of well-cooked salmon.
Large dogs (like Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Rottweiler) weighing over 25-40 kilos or 55-97 pounds can be fed about 6 ounces of cooked salmon.
Extra large dogs like Bernese Mountain Dogs, mastiffs, St. Bernards, etc. weighing over 45-100 kilos or 100-200 pounds can be fed up to 8 ounces of cooked salmon.
If in doubt, consult your vet regarding feeding salmon to dogs.
Signs of Food Allergies or Sensitivities to Salmon in Dogs
In rare cases, the answer to the question, āCan dogs have salmon?ā is no. Some dogs may have allergies or sensitivities to seafood, including fish such as salmon. Symptoms of food intolerance, insensitivity, or allergies can include:
Abdominal problems or digestive issues - vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, appetite loss, flatulence or burping, etc.
Skin issues - itchy skin, rashes, patchy hair loss, redness, irritation, hot spots, skin blisters, etc.
If you see these signs, it could be due to salmon allergy. Please consult your vet. You could also consider stopping salmon to see if the symptoms go away.
Alternatives to Salmon for Dogs
If you want your dog to benefit from omega essential fatty acids without feeding them salmon, you could consider alternatives like sardines, cod, catfish, whiting, flounder, whitefish, trout, herring, and mackerel. Tuna is also a good choice, but avoid feeding dogs canned tuna in brine as it contains too much salt. Mussels, shrimp, oysters, and clams are also great alternatives to salmon for dogs.
For dogs with a sensitivity to seafood, you can opt for lean protein sources like chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit, emu, and kangaroo meat.
Conclusion
If you are still wondering, āCan dogs eat salmon?ā then the answer is yes. However, make sure to cook the salmon thoroughly to reduce the risk of parasites. Always remove its skin and bones before feeding. Do not add any salt, butter, or other condiments as these are harmful to dogs.
As with any new food, please consult your vet before feeding salmon to your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can a dog eat salmon?
It is best to feed a dog salmon as a treat once or twice a week. This is essential to avoid vitamin deficiencies and food intolerances.
Can a dog be healthy if they eat pretty much only salmon?
No. Just feeding fish and seafood like salmon does not constitute a complete and balanced meal for our furry pals. Manās best friend also needs healthy and complex carbohydrates, vegetables, berries, other lean protein sources, and vitamins, not just salmon.
Is it safe to feed your dog raw salmon (bones removed)?
Never feed raw, uncooked salmon to dogs, even if you have taken the care to remove the bones first. Raw salmon can contain parasitic nematodes, and these pests could harm our fur babies in numerous ways.
Can dogs eat smoked salmon?
Smoked salmon is not a good choice of treat for your dog, mainly because it contains significant amounts of sodium.
Can dogs eat canned salmon?
You can feed canned salmon packed in water to your dog, in moderation. But please avoid canned salmon packed in brine, due to its high salt content.
Reference List
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/salmon-nutrition-and-health-benefits
https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_whats_in_a_balanced_dog_food
https://www.oregonvma.org/care-health/companion-animals/health-safety/salmon-poisoning-disease-fish-disease
