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Do Dogs Eat Fish?

do dogs eat fish

do dogs eat fishIf you’re a dog owner, you might be wondering “do dogs to eat fish?”

The answer is yes… dogs can indeed consume fish!

Many dogs drool over the salmon smell. Why? Fish – cod, salmon and tuna – are delicious for canines and healthy too.

  • Healthy Coats – Their coats get the necessary omega-3 fatty acids and protein that these fish provide. Thus, their coats keep and stay shiny. It’s the biggest reason you’ll find these fish in the numerous dog treats and foods sold on the market.  And, canines that have allergy problems or stomach issues can benefit from eating fish.
  • Firmer Stools – Canines that have been suffering with watery stools can eat fish to help their stool stiffen.
  • Shedding Reduction – Fish also helps in reducing shedding of a dog. This is especially helpful to dog owners whose dogs constantly shed.
  • Less Skin Irritation – Canines that eat fish-made products (treats or food) tend to have less skin irritations, rashes and itchiness.
  • Emotionally Better – According to some studies, fish may actually improve your dog’s behavior and increase their stamina.  It’s not a known fact; but, with everything else fish does for your dog, would you doubt it could do this too?

Fish Diet For Canines:
Why Some Owners Use It Over Beef and Chicken Products

smoked salmonMany of the commercial diets that are presently on the market use fish – white fish or salmon – as the primary source of protein.

These diets are specifically designed for canines that cannot eat other protein sources like beef or chicken due to an allergy.

Points To Note: Some dog owners have claimed their canine friends are sensitive to turkey, beef and chicken. But, in actuality, it’s not the meat the dog is having the allergic reaction to. It’s actually the corn these animals were given before they were slaughtered.

3 Negative Points About A Fish Diet For Dogs

Okay, now you know the benefits of why fish is so good for your canine dog. However, you still need to understand the negative aspects to fish.

fish bones1. Bones – When it comes to giving your dog fish, you need to be sure there are no bones left. After all, bones can become lodged in the canine’s throat or his/her gastrointestinal tract, causing it to become irritated.

2. Food Poisoning – Raw fish is similar to raw eggs has food poisoning causing bacteria in it.

3. Fish Disease – There are also some types of fish – shad, salmon, trout and sturgeon – that has a parasite known for fish disease.  If left untreated, the disease is deadly within a couple of weeks. The first symptoms of this disease include:

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Huge lymph nodes

Be sure you completely cook the fish before giving it to your canine friend. Cooked fish is much better than raw fish. If you want your dog to have raw fish, ensure that it’s sushi-grade fish.

154223535-dogs-necessary-nutrients-632x475 (1)In short, fish can be a wonderful addition to your dog’s diet but only if you take the necessary precautions beforehand.  Like any food, if your dog has yet to eat it, give him/her minute amounts so you know how they are going to react with a bigger amount.

Don’t forget that the introduction of any new food will cause your dog to have an upset tummy. And, all dogs are different. Just because one dog can have salmon doesn’t mean another one can… even if they are the same canine breed. If you are introducing fish into your dog’s diet for the first time, start in small quantities and observe how your dog reacts to the fish.

If you are interested in learning more about Dog Food and Diets, definitely check out this section.

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