The short answer is, not all tuna is bad for your dog. Light tuna is acceptable in small amounts and can be a healthy treat for your pup. Dogs need healthy protein in their diet, and a small amount of tuna is a healthy source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Dogs can eat certain types of tuna, but not all tuna fish is suitable for your dog. As dog owners, you should know what kind of tuna your dog can eat. Feeding your dog certain kinds of tuna fish can cause health problems.
Tuna Fish Contains Mercury
Modern-day energy production causes mercury to enter aquatic environments via runoff. Fish living in those waters absorb mercury, which is a heavy metal and may cause mercury poisoning.
Tuna contains higher mercury levels than other fish because they are large fish and live longer than many other species—the older and larger the fish, the higher the mercury levels.
According to the American Kennel Club, symptoms of mercury poisoning in dogs include hair loss, anxiety, blindness, trouble urinating, loss of coordination and feeling in extremities, tremors, vomiting blood, watery diarrhea with blood in it. If your dog displays any of these symptoms, take them to the vet immediately.
What Kind of Tuna Can Dogs Eat?
All tuna fish contains trace amounts of mercury, but not usually enough to cause mercury poisoning. You can still let your dogs eat canned tuna as part of their diet, but ensure you know what kind of tuna is safe for your dog.
So, what kind of tuna can dogs eat? Feeding your dog raw tuna is never a good idea. In addition to containing mercury, raw tuna presents the added danger of parasites and sharp fish bones. Do not feed your dog raw tuna.
Canned Tuna
If you feed your dog canned tuna as part of their diet, ensure it is light tuna and not Albacore. Albacore tuna is a bigger species of saltwater fish, more likely to contain a lot of mercury.
Dogs can eat light canned tuna as long as it is packed in water and not oil. If you buy tuna fish for your dog to eat, check to ensure it doesn’t contain added salt. As saltwater fish, tuna already contains sodium.
Can My Dogs Eat Tuna?
When it comes to feeding your dog, you want them to be eating tasty and healthy food and there are foods that are toxic for dogs. So, can dogs have tuna? Tuna contains higher mercury levels than other fish, but in small amounts, canned cooked tuna has many health benefits and is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. As long as dog owners don’t give them too much, tuna is safe for dogs.
