Can dogs eat raw salmon? The answer to this question is conditional. Yes, dogs can eat salmon but in a cooked form. Raw salmon poses a threat to the health of your furry friend.
It is not recommended to feed raw salmon to your dog. Raw salmon imposes several health concerns discussed in the later section of this article. Read on to know why you should not offer raw salmon to your furry friend.
Salmon is no doubt one of the most popular fish in the world. We, humans, are fortunate to have so much variety of meat. These various meat varieties are very beneficial to us.
You might wonder whether your furry friend shares these nutritional benefits with you. Your desire is not wrong, but unfortunately, there are some concerns about sharing human foods with furry friends.
To your solace, your dog can enjoy the benefits of salmon. Read on to know the safe ways to feed salmon your dog. At the same time, you should know the potential threats to providing raw salmon.
What are the potential risks of feeding raw salmon?
Can dogs eat raw salmon? Whether you have bought the fish from a store or captured it, you should not feed it raw to your dog. The potential risk is the parasites that reside in the flesh of fish. Cooked fish is safe because heat kills the parasites.
Fish like salmon that swim upstream are considered prone to flatworms. Flatworms are not much of a problem, but the bacteria, Nanophyetus salmincola, that resides in them are dangerous for your furry friend. This bacterium has the equal potential to make humans and dogs sick. It may cause salmon poisoning.
What are the symptoms of salmon poisoning?
Can dogs eat raw salmon? Salmon poisoning is a severe condition. You may wonder why cats can eat raw salmon, and there is no talk about salmon poisoning in cats. The reason is that this bacterium seems to affect only dogs.
Salmon poisoning can take 6-10 days to develop, and your dog may die within 14 days of eating poisoned salmon. All you need to do is not let your dog eat raw salmon.
Your furry friend will be prevented from salmon poisoning. The obvious signs and symptoms of salmon poisoning are as follows.
Did you Know?
We have written many articles about what dogs can eat. But did you know about this one? Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Weakness
- Appetite loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Nasal or eye discharge
How can dogs eat salmon?
Can dogs eat raw salmon? Dogs can eat salmon, the primary protein source in many dog foods. Your dog can enjoy salmon’s delicious taste and nutritional benefits only if it is cooked to eliminate the potential risks. Our furry friends can enjoy the same benefits as we humans do.
Salmon is rich in many nutritional ingredients. It contains high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals. The list of beneficial effects of salmon increases, so here I will mention some of the important health benefits of salmon.
This nutritious fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, the safest and most beneficial fatty acid. No wonder if your dog’s skin coat looks smooth, fresh, and beautiful, the incidence of inflammatory reactions decreases, and your dog starts showing incredible muscle growth. All these blessings are of omega 3 fatty acids.
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids don’t stop here. It helps in boosting the cognitive functions to keep your furry friend’s brain healthy and active. Dogs, especially puppies, need omega-3 fatty acids for better growth and development at early ages.
Omega 3 fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. These must-have qualities to combat inflammation due to allergy, infection, or arthritis.
Mercury and zinc poisoning in fish is spreading all over the world. Salmon contains the least mercury and is considered a low-mercury fish among fish.
It means you and your dog can more often enjoy this delicious fish. However, it is still essential to be within safe limits. We don’t want your dog to be affected by any harmful aspect.
Omega 3 fatty acids don’t cause let your dog gain weight. They don’t cause gastrointestinal upset such as diarrhea. If you ensure regular exercise, your dog can eat a little more salmon than other fish.
You should ensure that you feed plain cooked salmon with no added preservatives or additives. Seasoned or stored salmon is also not recommended.
Can dogs eat raw salmon?
No, dogs should not eat raw salmon. If you want your dog to enjoy the benefits of this delicious fish, it is better to offer cooked salmon to your furry friend.
