Fish is an excellent way to add variety to your dog’s diet—healthy and delicious at the same time.
Choose the right kind of fish and prepare it correctly to ensure that your dog gets the most out of this seafood goodness.
Everyone knows how healthy fish is and is an essential part of a healthy diet. When it comes to our pets, there is always that association that bones are for dogs and fishes for cats.
Being the healthiest human food, can your dog also benefit from eating fish? And is it something that they can eat and enjoy?
Absolutely. Read on to find out more.
Yes, absolutely! Fish is an excellent source of protein and is low in saturated fats, so if you plan to put your dog on a healthy diet, introducing fish is an excellent way to start. So to answer the question, “Is it safe for dogs to eat fish” then absolutely yes.
This seafood goodness is rich in essential ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that help your dog meet its daily nutritional needs.
Your dog will enjoy a fish-based meal like you do. The aroma of fish is tantalizing to their ever-active and sensitive nose, so indulge your pet in some fish treats that are deliciously satisfying and also pack in many benefits.
Fish is also a delicious alternative if your dog has dietary intolerances and food allergies.
Your dog’s diet must be rich in protein—the building block of cells and organ tissues. Fish is abundant in this essential macronutrient. That is why most commercial dog foods have already integrated fish into their ingredients.
Omega-3 fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatory components critical to your dog’s diet. Consuming fish is especially recommended if your dog suffers from joint diseases like canine arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
A generous amount of fatty acids is also needed to balance your dog’s diet. Moreover, this omega-3 fatty acid found in fish can further help your dog’s body better absorb the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from all the other food they are eating.
Well, on the surface level, you’ll see the works of fish pretty soon, with your dog flaunting a shinier coat and healthier skin!
Sardines are known for preventing dental diseases and cancer in dogs.
Fish is also great for maintaining seamless and effective digestion. Its high protein content can help manage your dog’s food allergies, so you can give your dog back the joy of being able to sample a wider variety of food.
If you’re asking, “How much fish can I feed my dog?”, here’s the answer.
Fish can be served once or twice a week, in small amounts. It can serve as a dietary supplement or a delicious treat.
It is best to talk to your dog’s vet about the serving size because they are able to determine the right portion size based on your dog’s age, weight, nutritional needs, overall health, and medical conditions if any.
Preparing fish for your dog begins at the store. Buying deboned fish makes the job easier. But if not, be sure to remove the scales, tail, head, fins, and bones because these are choking hazards and can also cause oral trauma and intestinal perforation.
Avoid additional seasoning. The best cooking options are baking, steaming, poaching, and grilling because it doesn’t need butter or oil, additional fats that your dog doesn’t need.
Ingredients: 1 cup of fish, ½ a cup of sweet potato
Ingredients: 1 cup of salmon, 2 cooked eggs, 2 cups of vegetables, 1 cup of brown rice
Salmon contains Omega 3 fatty acids, protein, selenium, and Vitamin B12. Thanks to its softer flesh, salmon tends to absorb lesser amounts of metal like mercury making it a safer option for your dog.
It’s best to feed your dog cooked fish. Raw fish has a higher chance of having parasites inside its internal organs, muscle tissues, and skin. Your dog can catch bacteria-related diseases due to organisms like clostridium, listeria, and salmonella in raw fish.
Although they’re alright for the rare treat, fish sticks offer little nutritional value. They are not recommended due to the deep-frying methods and salt and spices often used to prepare them.
According to the Food and Drug Administration guidelines, you should never give your dog canned Albacore Tuna, King Mackerel, Shark, Swordfish, and Tilefish.
Bigger fish accumulate unhealthy levels of environmental toxins like mercury and are more likely to harbor parasites in their internal organs, skin, and muscle tissues.
Farm-raised fishes also have higher exposure to harmful residual antibiotic levels, toxins, and dyes dangerous to your dog when ingested.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Canned Food?
Small, oily, and fatty fish like anchovies, herring, mackerel, smelt, and trout are safe for dogs. These fishes have the least exposure to contaminants and are low in mercury.
In addition, Cod and flounder are great choices if your dog needs a boost in cooling proteins. Then, Salmon offers a plethora of nutritional goodness. Sardines are copper-rich and rich in Vitamin D, B12, and Ubiquinol Coq10 which help your dog’s cardiovascular health.
Your dog can do without the excess fat that comes along with fried fish. In short, it is best to give your dog unfried and unsalted fish.
Incorporate fish in your dog’s diet starting today! Rich in antioxidants, protein, and Omega 3, fish makes for a healthy and delicious meal. Your dog will benefit greatly from this superfood.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
