Can dogs eat tuna? – Dogster

The fish itself is not dangerous for your dog to eat. However, industrial pollution and toxins build up in the fish, making it unfit for consumption. Large fish, such as tuna, can accumulate high levels of mercury over their lifetime. Fresh and canned tuna (or tuna in squeeze bags) rank among the best for high levels of toxins. Dogs fed tuna regularly are at risk for mercury poisoning.

Tuna should be considered a treat and therefore, fed in moderation, advises Lissa Cannady, RVT, Hospital Manager for VCA. You can give your dog small amounts of cooked or canned tuna or any other fish a few times a month. It is not advisable to use tuna as the main source of protein in a meal.

What type of tuna can I give my dog?

Don’t worry if your dog takes a bite of tuna. A small amount will do no harm. The safest tuna for your dog is the one with the lowest mercury content, such as skipjack or albacore tuna, rather than any other type of tuna, such as yellowfin tuna. If you give your dog canned tuna (or tuna in squeeze bags) for a small treat, it should be canned in water, not oil, and with no added salt.

Feeding tuna to your dog or even yourself is a hotly debated topic due to mercury issues. If you love the health benefits of tuna for your dog but are concerned about mercury levels, talk to your veterinarian about the type and amount of canned or cooked tuna to feed your dog based on his age and of his medical history. Want more information on tuna and mercury levels? Consumer Report recently studied different types of popular canned foods for mercury amounts. See the result here. And check out the FDA guidelines here. Do you have a cat in the house and are you wondering how to give tuna to your cat? The answer is much the same as giving your dog tuna, see our sister publication Catster’s article, Tuna for Cats – Let’s Learn the Truth.

For a raw diet, opt for wild-caught tuna or consider alternatives, like salmon or arctic char, which contain fewer pollutants. We recommend that you cook the fish raw before giving it to your dog. Raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which can disrupt the function of thiamine (vitamin B1). Consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or if your dog consumes more tuna than recommended.

Is tuna good for dogs and is it found in commercial dog food?

Tuna is used in commercial dog foods, but not as much as whitefish or salmon, which contain much less mercury. With the exception of possible high mercury content, tuna is a good high source of protein, in addition to being low in saturated fat and sodium. It is also a good source of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as a variety of vitamins and minerals.

You can check the pet food company’s FAQ section or contact the contact page to ask questions about their commercial dog food containing tuna. Some companies use lighter, younger fish that haven’t accumulated a lot of mercury or regularly test their tuna for mercury levels.