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No, dogs shouldn’t eat tuna. While there’s no immediate risks if your dog eats a little bit off the floor or counter, canned tuna contains ingredients that are unhealthy for your dog and raw tuna can quickly put your dog in danger if fed regularly. However, it’s fine if enjoyed as an ingredient in commercial dog food.
First, tuna contains high levels of mercury. Dogs—and even humans—that eat tuna often can potentially fall victim to mercury poisoning. Humans are advised to limit their tuna intake according to their weight, but there are no such guidelines for dogs. Mercury poisoning can harm a dog’s kidneys, digestive tract, cardiovascular system and nervous system. While other types of fish containing much lowermercury levels may be appropriate for dogs as a treat, tuna should only be offered to your dog on rare occasion and in small amounts or ideally avoided altogether.
If your dog sneaks a bite while you are preparing a tuna sandwich or searing an ahi tuna steak and you’re wondering, “Is tuna okay for dogs?” the answer is that there is probably not a huge risk. However, if you’ve been feeding your dog tuna often and you suspect your dog has consumed too much mercury, immediately reach out to your veterinarian.
Consumption of high amounts of mercury can be poisonous in both dogs and humans. Tuna are exposed to mercury when this metal enters oceans, rivers and lakes through industrial activities. The mercury in the water then accumulates in the ecosystem, including in fish. The longer a fish lives and the bigger it is, the more mercury it contains in its tissues. Tuna are large fish with long lifespans—some live as long as 40-50 years—resulting in the accumulation of high mercury concentrations.
Common symptoms of mercury poisoning in canines include:
These signs may occur in a dog after mercury accumulates in their bodies following long-term ingestion of tuna. Mercury poisoning requires immediate veterinarian treatment.
If your dog sneaks a small amount of tuna off your plate, you probably don’t have to worry too much. Tiny portions are unlikely to cause serious issues. But if you discover that they’ve consumed a more considerable amount, contact your veterinarian immediately to help ensure mercury poisoning doesn’t occur.
It can be a challenge to keep dogs away from food they’re not supposed to eat. For example, you may also have a cat who eats wet food containing tuna. If your dog tends to get into the cat’s food, try feeding them in separate rooms blocked by a door or gate. Also consider feeding your cat a wet food made with another type of fish. Although less common when compared with dogs, cats can get mercury poisoning from eating tuna over the long term as well.
If your dog loves seafood, there are many options besides tuna to satisfy their cravings. Consider other types of fish that are appropriate for dogs, such as salmon or whitefish. Many dog foods are made with fish ingredients that are okay for pups to enjoy.
No. Fresh-cooked tuna is no better for dogs than raw tuna. It is a common misconception that cooking tuna reduces its mercury content. Tuna has the same mercury concentrations whether raw or cooked, because the metal is tightly bound to the fish’s muscle tissue.
If you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat raw tuna?” the answer is also no. Raw tuna is a popular sushi ingredient, but it’s not appropriate for dogs. Aside from the high mercury content, raw tuna is likely to contain parasites and bacteria which can cause health complications in dogs.
Canned tuna is one of the most common varieties of tuna for humans. If you’re wondering, “Can dogs eat canned tuna fish?” due to the presence of high concentrations of mercury, the answer is still no. Also, canned tuna is often packed in oil, which can cause weight gain and pancreatitis in dogs.
If you’re a fan of searing tuna steaks, you may ask, “Can dogs eat ahi tuna?” As with all other tuna, no, tuna steak should be off-limits for your pup. In addition to its high mercury content, tuna steak is typically prepared with oils, seasonings, and spices, all of which can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs.
Due to tuna’s high mercury content, even small amounts of this fish are not recommended as treats for dogs. Even though tiny servings of tuna on rare occasion probably won’t lead to mercury poisoning in your dog, it’s better to stick to other types of fish, such as salmon and whitefish, that are more appropriate for dogs.
Fish is a good source of nutrients for dogs, as it contains protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. Because of this, you may be curious about adding fish to your dog’s diet. Be sure to consult a veterinarian before you introduce any new foods into your dog’s diet.
To find out which types of fish are appropriate for dogs, look at common fish-based ingredients in commercial dog foods. High-quality dog foods containing fish tend to include species such as salmon, whitefish, flounder, and herring, which don’t live as long as tuna and don’t have as much time to accumulate high mercury concentrations. If your veterinarian approves of your dog’s eating fish, opt for shorter-living fish with low mercury concentrations.
