Is fresh tuna safe for dogs?

We all love to give our canine companions treats every now and then, but it’s important that we make sure the treats are safe for them to eat. 

With this in mind, you may have wondered if fresh tuna is a safe snack for your pup. Let’s explore the possibilities.

Can dogs eat fresh tuna?

The short answer is yes, dogs can safely eat fresh tuna – but there are some caveats. 

If you decide to give your pup fresh tuna as a treat, make sure it is cooked thoroughly. 

This will reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses like salmonella and listeria.

Also make sure to remove any bones from the fish before feeding it to your pup, bones can splinter when ingested and cause gastrointestinal distress or even death if not removed properly.

Fresh tuna has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for your pup’s coat and skin health and can be easily added to your dog’s food.

However, it’s important that you don’t overdo it with the fish—too much omega-3 fatty acid in a dog’s diet can lead to an imbalance of other essential nutrients and minerals. 

A few ounces of fresh tuna once or twice a week should suffice as an occasional treat.

The benefits and risks of feeding your dog fresh tuna

Fresh tuna can be beneficial for your dog in small amounts because it is loaded with proteins that are good for their coat, bones, and overall health. 

It also contains Omega-3 fatty acids which are great for keeping your pup’s skin and coat healthy. 

However, there are a few risks associated with feeding your dog fresh tuna as well.

Tuna can contain high levels of mercury which is toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities over a long period of time. 

Therefore, you should only feed your dog a few bites occasionally as a treat or snack rather than making it a regular part of their diet. 

Additionally, since raw fish may contain parasites that could make your pet sick, it’s important to cook the fish before feeding it to them.

Another thing to consider is that tuna does not provide all the essential nutrients that dogs need for optimal health so you should always supplement their diet with other foods such as lean proteins like chicken breast or turkey and vegetables like carrots or green beans. 

If you decide to feed your pup fresh tuna regularly, talk with your vet about how much they should eat each day in order to avoid any potential problems caused by overconsumption of mercury or other toxins found in the fish.