12 Types of Fish for Dogs: What Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
This article will show you 12 types of fish for dogs and cover what they can eat and what you should avoid!
Ever wondered if feeding fish to your dog is safe? In this guide, you’ll discover the best types of fish for dogs, the benefits they offer, and which ones you should avoid to keep your furry friend happy and healthy!
Fish can be really good for dogs. It’s a great protein source and one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are important for brain function, as well as skin and coat health. It’s also important to include fish in your dog’s diet to maintain healthy joints.
Safe fish for dogs
1 Salmon
Why it’s safe: Salmon is one of the best and healthiest fish for dogs! It’s rich in omega-3 acids, which are important for healthy joints, brain function, and skin. Salmon is also very popular as an ingredient in high-end dog kibble and treats, and most dogs absolutely love it! Also, salmon poisoning (from raw salmon) is very rare, but cooked salmon is always a better option for dogs.
How to prepare: Make sure you don’t cook salmon with lots of oil, garlic, or lemon, as dogs are sensitive to these ingredients. Spray the pan with a little oil and cook the salmon until well done. Avoid raw salmon from sushi and sashimi. Even though it’s highly unlikely to contain parasites due to strict quality control, it’s still best to cook salmon for your dog.
2 Sardines
Why they’re safe: Sardines are a simple, healthy fish full of calcium! They make a great snack and are convenient since you can buy them canned. Sardines are also an excellent source of omega-3 acids, and they are very low in mercury (just like salmon!).
How to prepare: Sardines are safe when canned or cooked. Since they are usually canned in oil, you should drain them very well before sharing them with your dog. Or, even better, you can buy sardines in brine, which are perfectly safe for dogs.
3 Whitefish
Why it’s safe: Whitefish is a mild fish, which makes it perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs! It’s a good lean protein and a good source of vitamins B6 and B12. You will even see it as an ingredient in some dog food.
How to prepare: It’s best you cook the fish in the oven or fry it in a pan without oil (use an oil spray if you have to). Avoid adding lots of oil, butter, spices, and seasonings, as they can irritate your dog’s stomach. Make sure to remove all bones, as small dogs can easily choke.
4 Herring
Why it’s safe: Herring is a fantastic fish for dogs! It’s a healthy protein that’s also rich in vitamin D and omega-3s. It’s a mild-tasting fish that is easy to prepare and digest. Some of the health benefits of herring include supporting healthy joints and muscle mass and making your dog’s coat super shiny!
How to prepare: Grilling, baking, or steaming are great options, but as with all other fish, you need to avoid salt, oil, garlic, and lemon juice. Never give your dog smoked or pickled herring, as these are extremely high in sodium and can seriously affect your dog’s health.
5 Tuna (Skipjack)
Why it’s safe: I wrote in detail about how dogs can eat tuna (check the article to learn more) and analyzed common myths claiming all tuna is high in mercury. This is simply not true, as there are several types of tuna that are low in mercury and perfectly healthy for dogs! Tuna is one of the most popular fish for dogs because it’s easy to serve, and dogs adore it. My dog is crazy about it—he gets a whole can with sour cream for his birthday! The best tuna for dogs is skipjack tuna, which is the lowest in mercury and easy to find in supermarkets.
How to prepare: Buy tuna chunks in brine and avoid tuna in sunflower oil or tuna with lots of spices or tomato sauce. If you’re cooking tuna filets, make sure you cook them well and set aside a small piece for your dog, free of salt and pepper.
6 Tilapia
Why it’s safe: Tilapia is a safe fish for dogs! It’s often considered a modest choice because it’s not very rich in omega-3 (it even has more omega-6 than omega-3). Still, tilapia is a lean protein and very low in fat, making it great for dogs. It also contains vitamins D and B12, which are important for proper muscle function and overall health. Plus, tilapia is low in mercury!
How to prepare: Don’t give your dog raw tilapia. It’s always better to cook it properly. Make sure to remove all the bones, as there are lots of small bones that can hurt your dog’s gums and, not to mention, pose a choking hazard!
7 Pollock
Why it’s safe: Pollock is a safe and nutritious fish for dogs. It’s a good source of protein and very low in fat, making it great for dogs. Fatty fish can sometimes cause stomach issues, but that depends on whether your dog has a sensitive stomach. Pollock is also low in mercury!
How to prepare: You can cook pollock by baking, steaming, or boiling it. Don’t fry it in lots of oil or add too much salt, seasonings, or spices. Dogs should eat plain fish. My suggestion is to set aside a small piece for your dog and cook it plain!
8 Trout
Why it’s safe: Trout is a simple and healthy fish for dogs! It does have a lot of small bones, but aside from that, it’s easy to prepare and full of healthy minerals. It’s also rich in vitamins D and B12 and is honestly a great source of protein for dogs.
How to prepare: My favorite way to eat trout is baked in the oven with lots of garlic, but that’s not safe for dogs! You can grill it or bake it without salt and seasonings. When you give your dog trout, make sure to remove all the bones, and don’t give them trout heads or tails to eat!
Unsafe fish for dogs
9 Swordfish
Why it’s unsafe: I used to adore eating swordfish on vacation, but that was before I started avoiding fish high in mercury! Swordfish contains a lot of mercury, and while one serving or even a few might not cause issues, if you’re health-conscious about your dog, I suggest you avoid it. Although it takes a significant amount of swordfish to cause mercury poisoning, it’s still best to steer clear of it.
Risks and concerns: Small amounts of swordfish might not immediately lead to mercury poisoning, but if you give it to your dog regularly, you’ll increase the risk of long-term mercury exposure.
10 Shark
Why it’s unsafe: Shark meat is very unsafe for dogs (and let’s not forget the ethical concerns due to overfishing and environmental impact). Sharks are large predators that live for a long time, which is why they accumulate massive amounts of mercury and other toxins over their lifespan. Please be cautious and avoid feeding shark meat to your dog!
Risks and concerns: Shark meat may also contain other toxins, parasites, or bacteria, which increases the risk of foodborne illnesses in dogs.
11 King Mackerel
Why it’s unsafe: The issue with king mackerel is its high mercury content. This type of mackerel is one of the most contaminated fish, making it extremely dangerous for dogs! Only Atlantic mackerel, which has low mercury levels, is considered safe for dogs.
Risks and concerns: Regularly feeding king mackerel can lead to mercury poisoning, which can cause serious health problems in dogs.
12 Tilefish
Why it’s unsafe: Tilefish is high in mercury, making it unsafe for dogs. While it’s popular in sushi, it’s not a good idea to share this fish with your dog. Eating tilefish can lead to mercury poisoning, which can seriously affect your dog’s health.
Risks and concerns: Tilefish is often contaminated with other toxins and heavy metals, adding to the risks of feeding it to dogs.
Bonus: Smoked and pickled fish are not good for dogs
Smoked fish is not toxic to dogs, but it’s high in sodium, which isn’t good for them! In addition, it often contains added flavors like artificial smoke and herbs that can upset your dog’s stomach.
Too much salt isn’t healthy for dogs, as it can lead to dehydration and, in large amounts, even sodium poisoning.
Pickled fish isn’t any better. It’s also high in salt, and on top of that, it contains vinegar, which is acidic and can upset your dog’s stomach. Many pickled fish also have added seasonings like garlic and onions, which are toxic and unsafe for dogs.
The best fish for dogs are salmon, sardines, or whitefish. You can include them in your dog’s diet, but always make sure to remove all the bones!
Which of these fish does your dog like the most? Mine definitely loves salmon! Let us know in the comments.
Don’t forget to pin this post so you’ll always have this guide handy.
Love, life, and fur forever!
This post showed you 12 Types of Fish for Dogs: What Dogs Can and Can’t Eat.
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