Skip to main content

Can dogs eat seafood? Yes, if you follow these tips

Dog food isn’t just chicken and rice! As healthy as these staples may be, variety is just as important when it comes to creating a balanced meal for your fur baby. There are many safe and nutritious protein alternatives to chicken or your regular dog food, including turkey, beef, eggs, and even fish. Yep — fish!

Many people foods are known to be safe for dogs, but these scaly swimmers don’t usually make the list. Fish certainly isn’t the most popular food for dogs, which might have left you wondering: Is seafood bad for dogs?

Related Videos

Can dogs eat seafood?

Absolutely! But only when it’s prepared correctly. The meat of many fish species contains healthy fats and nutrients such as omega-3s that are great for a dog’s coat, but you must be extremely careful not to feed your dog certain parts of the fish, including bones — or shells, in the case of shellfish. Any seafood your pup does get needs to be completely cooked, or you run the risk of bacterial or parasitic infection.

Fish that are safe to feed to dogs are typically the species that live shorter life spans. Longer-living fish such as swordfish build up high mercury levels throughout their lives, which can have toxic consequences for canines. Safe fish include salmon, herring, flounder, and char.

a tan dog with pointy ears and a long snout takes a treat from the hand of a person in a denim jacket
Maksim Goncharenok/Pexels

Benefits of feeding seafood to your dog

Seafood is a great and safe addition to your pooch’s diet when prepared correctly. Seafood can complement their existing diet and can help cover some nutritional deficiencies. The main benefits of seafood for your dog are:

  • A great source of Omega-3 fatty acids
  • High levels of quality protein
  • Low levels of fat for weight control
  • Flavor variety for picky eaters

Risks of feeding fish to your dog

When making the choice to add seafood to your four-legged friend’s regular menu, keep in mind that there are risks you must manage and avoid in order to prevent problems. Look out for the following:

  • Introducing toxins, heavy metals, and pollutants
  • Increased risk for bacteria like salmonella and listeria, as well as other parasites
  • Canned fish contains preservatives that are harmful to dogs

Types of seafood that are safe for dogs

The most common types of seafood that you are likely to feed your dog divide into two main groups: Shellfish and finfish. They are both safe for your pet, but there are specific ways to clean, prepare, and cook them to make a good meal for your dog. Brittle bones, shells, and crustacean heads and feet can damage your dog’s digestive system.

Shellfish: In this group, we include marine animals like shrimp, crab, oyster, scallops, and lobster. Mollusks are also in this group.

Finfish: This group includes many species like salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and other big fish that have a fin and are not a marine mammal.

Feeding your dog shellfish

For the most part, your dog can eat shrimp, crab, and even lobster. The seafood needs to be thoroughly cooked — without any spices or seasoning — and must have the legs, shell, and tail completely removed. You want to start feeding them just a small portion since shellfish can cause an allergic reaction. Take it slow until you make sure your dog is not getting any ill reaction to the food.

Avoid any type of raw food, especially clams and oysters. They contain high levels of bacteria, viruses, and algae that can make your dog sick. You are better off steering completely away from feeding your pet this type of seafood.

How to prepare fish for dogs

Whether purchasing fish from the store or preparing it yourself, the same conditions apply. Before serving it to your pooch, make sure it is fresh, cleaned, deboned, cooked, and unseasoned.

It’s extra important to make sure all the bones are out, as they can injure your dog’s mouth or throat. Another, perhaps surprising, risk is improperly prepared fish skin. While delicious, the skin is just as likely as the meat to transmit illness if not cooked thoroughly — this is why turning it into a jerkylike treat is the safest way to serve your pup fish skin. Remember to remove as many scales as you can!

When cooking the fish itself, grilling, steaming, or broiling is a smart way to go — as long as your fish is totally cooked! It’s best not to feed your pup fried fish, though, as the oils and batter may upset her stomach and intestines. Also, never serve your dog the head, tail or fins of a fish.

The following types of fish are great to feed your dog when properly handled and prepared:

  • Wild-caught salmon: When cooked, this is a luxury meal for your dog that is full of nutrients and healthy oils. Make sure you don’t serve it raw, since it can transmit a fatal parasite that can kill your dog in a very short time.
  • Sardines: This small fish is a very healthy supplement for dogs that is easy to debone and can even be bought canned in water. Avoid seasoned varieties and oil.
  • Flounder: This is a great treat when served as a filet. It’s full of protein and essential fatty oils.

Salmon fillets for dogs

One popular way of including fish in a dog’s diet is simply to share. If you’re making salmon for yourself one night, prepare a piece for Rover — no seasonings, of course! For convenience, you can give your dog canned salmon, as long as it’s packed in water, not oil. Boneless fillets also make great treats for dogs, though vets recommend limiting your doggo’s salmon intake to once a week or less.

For any dog and any food, portion control is key. Anything in excess can be unhealthy, but it’s important to be careful with fats, even healthy fats like salmon. Your vet can help you whittle servings down to the ideal size for your pet if you’re unsure. If you intend to replace part of your dog’s diet with fish, make sure she’s also getting the nutrients she needs through supplements or other foods, like veggies.

a white cairn terrier stands in a yard with a snack in their mouth
hazelw90/Pixabay

Fish you shouldn’t give your dog

Avoid tuna, swordfish, and any other big species with a long lifespan. They collect great amounts of heavy metal in their meat, which can have a negative effect on your dog. Also, moderation is key, since too much seafood in the canine diet can cause weight gain and nutritional imbalances.

Another thing to remember is that seafood prepared for humans is always a big no-no. These dishes are normally very seasoned with spices that are harmful to dogs. Play it safe, and avoid feeding your dog food that might be tasty but harmful.

A balanced canine meal will include protein, fiber, fats, and carbohydrates. Fish is an excellent source of protein and vitamins, and veggies will help your pup get the fiber she needs. Starch can be your carb — think of starches and grains like pasta, potatoes, or rice. Lastly, a healthy fat source, such as safflower oil, helps bind the ingredients together and make the food nutritionally complete.

Whether fish is a treat or an everyday meal, it can certainly be a tasty break from chicken. Packed with protein and healthy fats, it’s nutritionally beneficial as well. You can also prepare it in myriad ways, which can be refreshing for pet parents who want to switch it up every now and again, or just want to share a bit of their dinner with their best bud.

Editors' Recommendations

4 ways to uplift your dog’s mental health and why it’s so important
How to keep your dog's mental health at its best
A happy Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever smiles at the camera

You may not see it overnight, but the pet industry is changing. Owners and professionals alike are watching pets become part of the family instead of simple companions. This means the way people care for their pets is changing, too, and they all seem like changes for the better.
Pet mental health is a new topic that's taking the spotlight thanks to these changes, which is why we asked Renee Rhoades, the head behavior consultant at R+Dogs, about the importance of dogs' mental health. The things owners can do to keep their pups feeling fulfilled are surprisingly simple, so read on to learn about the easy changes you can make for your own dog. You might also be surprised to see how similar human and canine mental wellness is!

Why your dog's mental health is so important
If you've ever faced depression, anxiety, or another mental health concern, you'll understand just how important it is to safeguard your emotional well-being. Even short experiences with mental illness can change a person's perspective permanently, and the same can be said for our canine friends. If you need to see it to believe it, just look at the depressed dogs in shelters!

Read more
Velcro dogs: The pets most likely to become mini stalkers (and what to do about it)
Some pups can't get enough of their humans and follow them everywhere earning them the title velcro dogs
Chihuahua cocks his head while lying on the carpet

One of the best things about pets is they love us unconditionally: They jump for happiness when we get home, dutifully stand by our side no matter what, and beg for our attention even when we're in our PJs with unkempt hair. Velcro dogs take this to the next level. These pups stick to their humans like glue, or well, velcro. They can't get enough of their people and follow them around, even into the bathroom.
While this behavior can be common in many pets when they're young, right after being adopted, or immediately following a long separation, velcro dog breeds never seem to grow out of the tendency. Just about any beastie can wind up fitting into this category, but some types of dogs are more prone to it than others.

What makes a pup a velcro dog?
The truth is, there's no surefire way to tell if one animal will wind up being clingier than the next. However, there are some clues you can look to and make an educated guess. Essentially, all puppies go through this phase at one time or another, but that doesn't necessarily indicate they'll turn into a velcro pup as an adult. Additionally, many, or even most, dogs will also follow you more when they first meet you or after a big life event, like a move. However, a true clinger won't ever let go, staying right underfoot all day for their whole life.

Read more
Ice melters are dangerous for your dog: Here’s how to keep them safe
Is any ice melter truly pet-safe? Let's find out
A Jack Russell terrier wearing a yellow scarf plays with a giant snowball

Winter in much of the U.S. typically means freezing rain, snow, and ice. Although we love the tranquil beauty of waking up to a White Christmas, cozy sweaters, hot chocolate, and holiday meals, the winter months aren't all fun and festivities. However, while hidden patches of black ice to power outages in subzero temperatures are dangerous, the weather isn't the only part of winter that can be frightful.

Not only is it important for all pet parents to bundle up beloved fur babies in weatherproof boots and sweaters, but they should also be aware of another potential danger awaiting their dogs: ice melters. Some brands claim to make their ice melter pet-safe, but can they still harm dogs? Here's everything you need to know about this potentially deadly chemical danger.

Read more