We all know that eating fresh fish is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, And a lot of humans do not eat enough fish. It’s the same for dogs as digestion friendly protein, omega-3, and nutrients that fish provides can be extremely beneficial in making sure our pets are healthy and happy.

If you want to ensure your pet is getting enough fish, introduce seafood treats to add to your diet, like dried sprats that are a delicious, nutritious alternative for dog food or even mixing a bit of fish into their meals. But which kind of fish is safe for your pet to eat?

A lot of us have tuna and sardines in our homes. As tuna is among the most popular fish to eat so it makes sense to ask if dogs are able to eat tuna as well. Tuna canned in cans is convenient and affordable, which makes it a good choice to feed our pets. But can dogs eat tuna?

Can dogs eat tuna?

Tuna can be eaten in small quantities as a treat on occasion, but it should not be considered a daily food option for your pet. Like other fish, tuna is a fantastic source of omega-3 and protein that are vital to the diet of your dog to maintain its health.

But your dog shouldn’t consume tuna frequently or in huge quantities because it’s also a food source for mercury. Consuming too much tuna can cause a build-up of mercury in time which could lead to chronic health issues. Mackerel is an animal that is also a source of mercury, but not in the same way as tuna.

Some dog food products sold in the market contain tuna as a component. Although this is a sign that it’s suitable for your dog to eat, it’s recommended not to feed your dog tuna frequently to prevent the build-up of mercury. If you would like your dog to get the benefits of tuna as an everyday component of the diet they consume, go for the dog diet that is containing fresh short-lived, fresh fish that has lower levels of mercury.

Furthermore, how much your dog is able to consume tuna or not depends on the type of tuna you offer. Canned tuna is also available in brine, water from springs, or oil. All of these ways of preservation come with distinct restrictions for your dog’s companion.

In addition, the fact that there are many varieties of tuna species living in our waters. So, what kind of tuna is your dog allowed to take in?

Can dogs consume canned tuna?

Canned tuna is a cost-effective and convenient way to include fish in our diets. Almost all of us already have a can in the cupboards somewhere. However, can we share the portions of tuna tinned with our pets?

First of all, the canned tuna is usually made from Albacore as well as skipjack types of tuna. Of both, skipjack is the more secure option for your pet since it is less contaminated with mercury.

But canned tuna can be filled with salt, which is not good for our furry companions. There are canned tuna cans that have no added salt, and they’re the best option when you’re looking to share your fish with your pet.

The canned tuna can be made by cooking and “infused” with herbs and spices. While this can make them particularly tasty for people and delicious for salads, never feed your dog canned tuna that contains other spices or seasonings, as they could cause ill health.

Apart from the spice, along with salt and spices, canned tuna can be preserved in a variety of liquids. There are also chunks of tuna that can be found in the brine, sunflower oil, or fresh water, but what’s safe for dog consumption?

Can dogs eat tuna in brine?

While a tiny amount of tuna brine is unlikely to be poisonous, it’s recommended not to feed it to your pet as you can probably tell that it’s full of salt, which is harmful to dogs. Consuming excessive amounts of it can lead to poisoning from sodium.

Tuna canned using sunflower oil is more secure, however, the most reliable option is to get tuna canned with spring water since it contains lower levels of salt and fat when in comparison to other varieties that are canned.

Can dogs eat tuna in sunflower oil?

If you completely drain the fish, then you can allow your pet to consume a small amount of tuna that was preserved in oil. Sunflower oil is less saturated fats than other oils. It can even be beneficial to your pet’s fur when they consume a small amount.

However, eating excessive amounts of any oil could lead to the development of unhealthful weight growth and can cause weight gain and inflammation. Sunflower oil is rich in omega-6, which is excellent for dogs’ health, however, it should be consumed together with omega-3 to reduce inflammation and unneeded immune reactions.

Although eating a small amount of tuna cooked in sunflower oil is not harmful to your dog, The best option is to can tuna with spring water.

Can dogs eat tuna steak?

Tuna steak can be a difficult matter. The human connoisseurs will say that bluefin is the best option, and we even consume our tuna raw as sushi or sashimi. However, you shouldn’t let your dog eat raw tuna because it could be contaminated with parasites and much more likely to create stomach discomfort in comparison to cooked fish. In addition, you should not give to your pet bluefin tuna since it is high in mercury.

But, if your tuna steak comes from species that have low mercury, like Albacore or Skipjack, it is safe to give it to your pet. These kinds of fish are typically utilized in canned tuna steaks. If you’re planning to give your pet a fresh tuna steak, be sure it’s cooked before being served plainly.

What kind of tuna is available for your dog to consume?

In the majority of cases, dogs can consume any species of tuna that humans consume. But, the various species differ greatly in their dimensions and their longevity which can have an impact on the amount of mercury present in their tissues.

Mercury in tuna

A lot of our garbage and pollution end within the waters. Metals like mercury and lead are introduced into our oceans via erosion and rain, rivers, and human sludge and build up in the tissues of sea creatures that call it their home.

The longer a fish’s life spans the greater amount of these heavy metals accumulate within them. It is because they consume some amount of mercury each time they eat that can’t be removed.

Tuna is a massive and long-lived fish, which is why it has higher levels of mercury than different species. It is more likely to live in the ocean, eating a lot of smaller fish, including the mercury in those other fish. Certain species of tuna contain various quantities of mercury. For instance, skipjack tuna is tiny and contains more mercury, three times lower than bigger species such as Albacore.

When you or your dog consume, tuna and a bit of mercury gets added to your food. In the long term, it’s not a major issue. But, if you or your pet eat a lot of tuna over a short period of time, you’ll take in excessive amounts of mercury and get poisoned.

If your pet shows symptoms of poisoning following a meal, like tremors or excessive drooling, consult your veterinarian immediately.

To prevent the danger of mercury poisoning, it’s best to feed your dog tuna in moderate amounts. If you’re concerned about mercury levels in your dog’s diet, consider feeding them other types of fish, such as salmon or whitefish. These fish provide the same benefits in terms of nutrition but contain much less mercury and thus don’t pose the same dangers as tuna.

What amount of tuna should I feed my dog?

Tuna is safe to eat in moderation, however, avoid feeding your dog frequently since it could cause the accumulation of mercury in your dog’s tissues.

Make sure to limit any tuna your dog consumes to a tiny amount, no more than one tablespoon. Do avoid feeding them tuna throughout the day. If you introduce tuna or other food that you have not previously introduced in your dogs diet, give the dog a small amount, and look for indications of disease.

If you have a big dog, you should never feed them more than one can of tuna in the time of the week, and never offer them a can of tuna every single week. Smaller dogs have less tolerance to eating and therefore should be eating less, perhaps half a can in the course of a week. Whatever what size your dog is do not allow them to consume a complete can of tuna at once.

If you do give your dog tuna, you shouldn’t give them more food for several weeks. Larger dogs may take tuna back sooner than smaller breeds. However, most owners tend to err on the safe side and would rather keep tuna for a treat.

To be safe, you should avoid giving your pet tuna every day. A small amount of tuna added to their meals every few weeks should not cause harm. If you’re making your own tuna sandwich or pasta bake, keep a small portion of fish to pamper your dog with. You could also give your dog the cod, salmon and mackerel as well!

Recap

Yes, dogs can consume tiny amounts of tuna. The most nutritious option for your dog is canned tuna by soaking in water from the spring. However, you shouldn’t give your dog tuna frequently in order to stop them from getting a large dose of mercury.

Salmon is a species of fish that is a superior choice for your dog’s diet when you want to pamper them with a delicious fish-based food. Salmon is an excellent source of protein that is incorporated into some recipes from our Pure recipes. It provides many advantages.

It assists in growth and development It’s high of omega 3 to help with digestion and lessen inflammation. it’s high in antioxidants and vitamins to make sure your puppy remains as fit as it can be.