can dogs eat it
Use App

Can dogs eat Tuna?

can dogs eat tunaCaution

Overview

dog-food-safety-information

Can dogs eat tuna? Yes, tuna can be given to dogs since it is full of omega-3, potassium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. Meticulously choose what tuna variety to feed them. Avoid those that are known to accumulate high levels of mercury like albacore and yellowfin tuna.

Benefits

health-benefits
  • Tuna is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and help keep dogs' coats shiny.
  • Tuna is rich in magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and B vitamins, which help regulate various organ functions.
  • Tuna is a good source of lean protein that helps in a dog's cell and muscle development and repair.

Risks

health-risks
  • Tuna is generally safe for dogs to eat occasionally in small portions. However, some varieties of tuna have high mercury content and should not be fed to dogs.
  • Tuna varieties with high levels of mercury include, but are not limited to, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, albacore, and yellowfin tuna.
  • Tuna contains high levels of mercury because of its long lifespan. The longer it lives, the more it accumulates large amounts of toxins. Tuna can cause mercury poisoning in dogs when consumed excessively.
  • Raw tuna contains thiaminase, which can cause thiamine deficiency when consumed excessively or regularly.
  • Tuna thrives in saltwater, so it is high in sodium. If fed to dogs frequently, it can lead to hypernatremia (too much sodium in the blood) over time.
health-risks-dog

Servings

serving-suggestions
  • Tuna varieties with high mercury content are not recommended for dogs.
  • Avoid feeding canned tuna in oil because of its high-fat content.
  • Chose human-grade tuna, cook it thoroughly and serve it to your dog occasionally in small amounts.

You may also like

Articles by food type

what fruits can dogs eat

Fruit & Veg

can dogs eat human food

Human Food

can dogs eat raw meat

Meat & Offal

Diet & Recipes

Diet & Recipes

Supplements

Supplements

herbs for dogs

Herbs & Spices

can dogs eat egg and dairy

Egg & Dairy

can dogs eat seafood

Seafood

can dogs eat pumpkin seeds

Nuts & Seeds

can dogs eat grains

Grains

Oils

Oils

Plants

Plants