Many dog foods contain fish because they’re high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. But can dogs eat tuna? The answer is no.
In This Article
Is Tuna Safe for Dogs?
Tuna isn’t innately toxic to dogs in the way that onions or chocolate are. However, consuming this fish can still pose risks to your dog’s health due to the high levels of mercury that it contains.
Because dogs are smaller and metabolize substances differently than humans, they’re more sensitive to mercury. Even small amounts can be dangerous, especially if consumed on a regular basis.
Why Mercury Is a Concern
Fresh tuna has much higher levels of mercury than other types of fish, such as salmon and tilapia. Consuming too much mercury can result in mercury poisoning, which can cause severe, or potentially fatal, health complications.
Mercury enters our lakes, rivers, and oceans through industrial activities like coal-fired electricity generation. The mercury then accumulates in fish. The larger the fish and the longer it lives, the higher the concentration of mercury in its tissues. Because tuna are large, long-living fish, their mercury levels are quite high.
Can Dogs Eat Canned or Raw Tuna?
Neither canned or raw tuna is considered safe for dogs to consume. Despite the different manners of preparation, tuna in these forms carry the same mercury risks.
Canned tuna often contains added salt or preservatives that aren’t meant for dogs. Raw tuna also has the risk of carrying parasites or bacteria that could put your dog’s health at risk.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Tuna
Don’t fret too much if your dog manages to snag a small bit of tuna off your plate when you aren’t looking. Tuna isn’t inherently toxic to dogs, and a tiny amount will not cause mercury poisoning.
If you own both a dog and a cat, make sure your dog isn’t eating the cat’s food, especially if it contains tuna.
If your dog consumes tuna, keep an eye out for possible signs of mercury poisoning. If they exhibit any of these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately:
- Hair loss
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Loss of vision
- Kidney damage (inability to urinate, abdominal swelling)
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of feeling in paws
- Tremors
- Vomiting blood
- Watery diarrhea or blood in stool
Safer Fish Alternatives for Dogs
If you want to treat your dog to some fish, you should choose a type with lower mercury levels. The safest types of fresh fish are the ones most commonly used in commercial dog food. This includes salmon, whitefish, herring, flounder, and Arctic char.