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Can Dogs Eat Salmon?

Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

filet of salmon with greens

Yes, dogs can eat salmon. The same fatty acids that provide health benefits for humans may do the same for your dog. Adding a high-quality dog food that includes salmon to your pup’s diet can result in higher energy levels and a shinier coat. Many dogs love the taste of fresh, cooked salmon as well. Although it is generally safe to feed this plainly cooked fish to your dog, always consult your veterinarian before adding any new foods to your pet’s diet.

If your dog comes sniffing around while you’re making salmon fillets for dinner, you can usually feel good about cooking a portion for them, too—provided you take a few safety measures first. Read on to learn about the health benefits, risks and precautions to be aware of and how best to serve your dog salmon.

Health benefits of salmon

Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and vitamins for pets, and the Vitamin D in salmon may help retain calcium for stronger bones and teeth.

The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon can benefit your dog’s health in the following ways:

  • Promotes a healthy skin and coat
  • Acts as an anti-inflammatory and supports joint health
  • Benefits heart health

Keep in mind that if you are interested in feeding your dog salmon, it should be as the base of your high-quality dog food or considered as a treat. It’s an excellent source of protein and can be the perfect alternative to chicken or beef—especially if your pup has an allergy to those meats. Older pets should be offered food that supports their joint health—salmon can be a part of this plan, as fatty acids may help reduce joint stiffness.

Petco has many dog food recipes that use salmon as their main ingredient, and you can shop those below.

High-quality dog food is specially balanced to meet your dog’s nutritional needs and should be the staple of your dog’s diet. While you can offer your dog salmon as a treat, keep in mind 10% or less of your pup’s daily caloric intake should come from all treats and snacks.

Before serving salmon to your dog, there are a few risks associated with feeding your dog fish—including salmon—that are important to be aware of:

  • Undercooked salmon You must always cook salmon well before feeding it to your dog. Salmon poisoning in dogs is caused by a bacterial infection that occurs when you feed your dog raw or undercooked salmon. Raw or undercooked salmon may also contain the Neorickettsia helminthoeca parasite, which can make your dog very sick.
  • Fishbones Salmon should be deboned or bought boneless before you give it to your pet. This includes salmon skin and the fish fillet itself. Even a small fishbone could become a choking hazard or cause problems in your dog’s intestinal tract. Boneless fillets are the best choice for dogs. Remove any tiny bones that may hide in the skin of a fish fillet.
  • Spices and seasoning You want to stick to plain salmon with no seasoning. While garlic and onion are toxic and should always be avoided, other common seasoning ingredients may irritate your dog’s stomach and potentially harm your pup. Avoid adding salt and pepper as the increase in sodium will be unhealthy for them.
  • Oil-soaked salmon If you are going to buy your dog salmon from a can, choose a brand that is soaked in water. Salmon that has been soaked in oil is not as healthy for your pet and may also be higher in sodium.

How to Feed Salmon to Your Dog

Preparing salmon for your dog is pretty simple. Since you don’t need to use any seasonings or additives, you can prepare it in advance or make it on the fly. To safely feed your dogsalmon:

  1. Start with an unseasoned boneless salmon fillet that is fully thawed.
  2. You can remove the skin before or after cooking. While your pup can eat the skin, be sure to cut it into small pieces so they do not choke. Check the fillet and remove anybones.
  3. Broil the salmon in the oven until cooked all the way through. Alternatively, you may steam or poach the fish. The internal temperature should reach at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Allow the salmon to cool fully.
  5. Flake the salmon into pieces and mix a small amount in with their salmon dog food, regular food or feed on its own as a treat.

Dogs may love real fish, but it’s just one part of a balanced diet. Your dog’s primary food should be a high-quality dry, wet, refrigerated or frozen dog food. Many soft dog food options also feature salmon as the main ingredient. This is a savvy way to incorporate salmon into your dog’s diet while ensuring they are receiving all essential nutrients for their life stage.

Featured Dog Food and Treats Featuring Salmon

FAQs about dogs eating salmon

Yes, in most cases dogs can eat salmon. Just make sure the salmon is boneless, fully cooked and made without any additives like garlic, onion and salt that can be toxic or harmful to your dog.

While it is generally safe to feed this fish to your dog, contact your veterinarian if you have concerns about your pet’s fat intake. Salmon is full of good fats, but your vet may want to weigh in.

Your dog can eat salmon skin cut into bite- or treat-sized pieces, but it won’t be quite as healthy for your pet as the fish itself. Salmon skin for dogs is best used as an occasional special treat because the skin is much higher in fat content than the body of the fish. That being said, fish skin also contains minerals and vitamins, and many dogs love it. As long as it’s prepared for them in the correct way, salmon skincan be a nutritious homemade snack.

When it comes to high-quality prepared dog food, the best salmon options contain real salmon combined with other natural ingredients. This may include green peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and other veggies. Start by offeringa very small amount of fresh salmon or salmon puppy food or salmon dog food to see if your pet can tolerate salmon before making the switch to a salmon puppy, adult or senior high-quality dog food.

If you’re serving the real deal, salmon from cold-water latitudes have the most fatty acids and health benefits. The plankton in their food chain can help make them more nutritious for your pet. Either farm-raised or wild-caught salmon are also great options.

No. You must always cook salmon thoroughly before feeding it to your dog.

Absolutely. This is the onlyway to serve salmon to your dog. The salmon should be boneless and thoroughly cooked without added spices or flavorings.

Salmon should be deboned or bought boneless before giving it to your pet. If your dog ingests a salmon bone, it could become a choking hazard or cause problems in your dog’s intestinal tract. Boneless fillets are the best choice for dogs.

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Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care, Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Petco’s ACE team is a passionate group of experienced pet care experts dedicated to supporting the overall health & wellness of pets. The ACE team works to develop animal care operations and standards across the organization and promote proper animal care and education for Pet Care Center partners and pet parents, while also ensuring regulatory compliance.