Many owners ask the question can dogs eat salmon, and the answer is very much YES! Here are some key things to know.
Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help decrease inflammation and is great for the immune system. The oil is also healthy for your dog’s coat and keeps it shiny.
So can dogs eat salmon? Yes, but there are tips you must do before giving salmon to your dog.
6 Tips For Giving Salmon To Your Dog
1. Make sure the salmon you purchase is packed in water and not oil.
2. Don’t buy smoked salmon as that has high salt levels, which are not good for dogs.
3. Make sure the salmon does not have any bones in it, as your dog may end up choking on the salmon bones. You don’t want to take your dog to the emergency vet by choking on salmon bones.
They can eat salmon skin as long as it is properly cooked. However, salmon skin is high in fat and only very minimal amounts of salmon skin should be fed to them.
4. Make sure the salmon is fully cooked and not raw. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking fish to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees F. You need to have it well-cooked in order to kill any harmful bacteria.
5. When you cook it be sure not to add any salt, pepper, or seasoning. One of the best ways is to add just a pinch of virgin olive oil and grill the salmon in a pan. Olive oil is also good for a dog’s coat.
Can Dogs Eat Salmon That Is Canned?
Many people would rather feed a dog canned salmon as it is already cooked. However, if you do, make sure you look to see if it comes in water and not oil.
Canned salmon in oil has too much fat and is not good for a dog’s health, and even canned salmon in water might have additives to add to the shelf life.
These additives are not healthy for your dog. The best option is to find a dog food that already has salmon as the main ingredient.
How Much Salmon Should I Give My Dog?
It is recommended to limit your dog’s portion of salmon to no more than 100 grams per 10 pounds of body weight. Also, no more than one serving of cooked salmon per week.
But still, the best way to give salmon to your dog is to purchase dog food that already has salmon as its main ingredient.
Are there dry dog foods that contain salmon?
Yes, there are some recommended dog foods that have salmon as their main ingredient, which is high in protein. Some dogs may be allergic to other sources of protein, such as chicken.
Thus, high-quality dog food that has salmon as its main ingredient may be the best solution for your dog.
Salmon In Dog Food
The ideal way to feed your dog salmon is to purchase high-quality dog food that already has salmon in it as its main ingredient.
This way you don’t have to worry about cooking salmon, nor have any guesswork about how much to feed them.
High-quality dog food will give you the exact measuring amounts required for your dog’s diet. This way you won’t overfeed them as you have the right amount of salmon in dog food.
Don’t make the mistake like some pet owners in feeding cooked salmon in addition to giving them their normal dog food which already has a lot of protein from beef, chicken, lamb, or duck.
Thus, you will be giving them too many amounts of daily protein, which will cause weight gain and also be unhealthy for your dog. If your dog eats more protein than it can handle, they could develop pancreatitis.
So the answer…can dogs eat salmon is yes. However, if you want to have salmon in dog food, just purchase dog food that already has the salmon in it for their daily needs. This is easier for you and them.
Health Benefits Of Salmon
There are many health benefits of salmon in dog food. Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids and is high in protein and low in fat. It is probably one of the healthiest types of fish to feed your dog.
Not only is it high in protein but it contains vitamins such as A, D, and B-complex. Plus, it contains zinc, potassium, and magnesium.
Here are 9 health benefits of salmon in dog food:
- Provides healthy skin and hair
- Helps to alleviate skin irritation and allergies
- Supports joints
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids decrease joint inflammation and help with arthritis
- Strengthens the immune system
- Improves brain function
- Provides high-quality protein for your dog’s diet
- Contains magnesium, potassium, and zinc. Which are vital minerals
- Good source of vitamin A, B, and D
Health Risks Of Raw Salmon For Your Dog
It is very important that you do NOT feed your dog raw or undercooked salmon, as it can contain bacteria that can make your dog sick.
Raw or undercooked salmon may even contain parasites, one of which is called “flukes”. This is a worm-like parasite that can make your dog very sick, so again, do NOT feed your dog raw or undercooked salmon.
In fact, there is a salmon poisoning disease that is caused by bacteria in raw or partially cooked salmon.
Salmon dog poisoning symptoms are:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Lymph node enlargement
- Death within 14 days (if not treated)
You will not notice the signs of salmon poisoning until about 5-7 days after they ingest it. This salmon poisoning disease only affects dogs and not wild animals. That is why bears, cats, and raccoons can eat raw fish like salmon.
Best Recommended High-Quality Dog Foods That Have Salmon As Their Main Ingredient
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe, 11.5 Pound Bag
Ketona Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food (24.2lb)
Pure Vita, Dry Dog Food, Salmon & Potato, 15 lb
