Want to add salmon to your dog’s diet but are still confused about “can dogs eat salmon?” Well, here is your chance to learn everything about salmon and dogs.
In short- yes! Dogs can eat salmon safely, and in fact, it can bring quite a lot of health benefits to your dog as well. So, let’s bite right into the article!
Is Salmon Good For Dogs?
One of the most common problem is dog’s tantrums towards healthy foods. To break that cycle, salmon might be the treat for your dog that is healthy and super delicious. Here are some health benefits of feeding your dog salmon:
1. Protein-itious!
If you have a muscly dog breed, they probably require a lot of protein. Salmon will help you with that! It is rich in protein and will help your dog repair its tissues and promote healthy growth. Every dog must include some amount of protein every day, along with other nutritional requirements.
2. Immune health
One of the most fascinating things about salmon is that they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are responsible for promoting immune health in dogs and basically giving your dog the power to fight off the diseases (study). The anti-inflammatory properties can do wonders for you and your pooch.
3. Vitamins and minerals
Salmon is not any of your regular food, as it is packed with nutrients that help with the overall function of a dog’s body. Here are the vitamins and minerals present in salmon:
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin D
- Selenium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Magnesium
Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Your Dog Salmon
Even though salmon is good for dogs, it does not mean there can’t be any risks. Before feeding your dog any human food, you should be aware of the possible things that you should keep in mind. In the case of salmon, here is what you need to know:
1. No seasonings
NEVER! ADD! SEASONINGS! To any of your dog’s food. We know that humans love spices and cannot eat anything without adding the touch of magic spices. However, dogs have sensitive guts, and seasonings can be toxic to dogs. Especially garlic and onions being common ingredients in seasonings, can even be life-threatening to your dog.
2. Boneless version
Be it chicken bones, ham bones, or fish splinters, you should always remove the bone! Salmon also may have some bits of bone splinters, which can cause choking hazards in dogs. Not just this! But sharp splinters can wound a dog’s food pipe or tract, which can lead to severe internal bleeding.
3. Moderation
Another essential thing to keep in mind is to ensure that moderation is the key! You should feed your dog everything as a part of a well-balanced diet. Overeating salmon can lead to digestive problems, and who wants that??! Hence, only add small amounts of salmon to your dog’s primary meals.
How to Prepare Salmon For Dogs?
Now that you know everything about dogs and salmon, it’s time to prepare it for your pooch. Need to know how? Here you go:
- Pick fresh and quality salmon. The quality of salmon will ensure there is less chance of your dog consuming rotten or molded salmon.
- Remove any bones and splinters, as they can cause harm to your dog’s gut; of course, choking hazards are not new to dogs.
- For this you can use any cooking method- whether it is boiling, steaming, or baking. This will not only make it easier for your dog to chew on, but it will also eliminate the bacteria. And well, who doesn’t like perfectly cooked salmon?
- Do not add any seasonings to it if you want the salmon to be healthy for dogs. It is because seasonings will most likely cause allergic reactions in dogs (study).
- And tada! Cool it off before serving salmon to your dog.
Conclusion
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat salmon?” is a HUGE YES! Salmon is absolutely safe for dogs if you prepare them properly. There are somethings you should always keep in mind when serving your dog salmon. All you have to do is ensure that your dog does not sneak in seasoned, raw, or undercooked salmon, as that can be a health issue. If any health hazard happens, please get in touch with your nearest veterinarian immediately.
Overall, it is safe to say that you and your dog can enjoy delicious and flavorful salmon together!
Frequently Asked Questions
We do not recommend feeding your dog canned salmon. This is because canned products consist of preservatives and additives that can be unsafe for dogs in the long term. Although 1-2 small bites will not make your dog sick, it should not be a staple.
No! You should never feed your dog raw salmon or any raw meat. It is because seafood consists of bacteria that can cause food poisoning in dogs. Also, raw fish can be challenging to chew and digest, especially for small-sized or toothless dogs. We recommend that you only feed your dog cooked and plain salmon.
Smoking the salmon usually includes adding more spices, marinating it, and using excessive salt to make it palatable for humans. However, dogs should not eat smoked salmon as there can be a high chance of sodium poisoning. Also, marinating the salmon and smoking it can cause allergies in dogs if consumed in high amounts.
There is no such data that proves that salmon is good for dogs with allergies. Whether or not salmon is suitable for furry friends depends on the size and age of the dog. If you have a small dog, even a small amount of salmon can cause allergic reactions.
