For most of us, tuna is a favorite food fish. It is rich in protein and at the same time contains hardly any fat. Tuna is available fresh, frozen and canned. Dogs love fish too. But the question arises as to whether they are even allowed to eat tuna. And if so, what should you consider?
Short and sweet: Can my dog eat tuna?
Yes, dogs can eat tuna. Tuna has health-promoting properties. It can promote good blood circulation and support the cardiovascular system. You can feed your four-legged friend some tuna from time to time.
It is very rich in protein and contains hardly any fat. When feeding from a can, it is recommended to feed tuna in its own juice. Other suitable types of fish are salmon, herring, cod and sardines. Fish oils are also recommended.
Can dogs eat raw and cooked tuna?
In general, it can be said that tuna in all variations is harmless for your four-legged friend.
There are several ways to feed him:
- Raw (ideal for BARF)
- boiled, canned (in its own juice or in oil)
- Fried
Raw tuna
Your dog can eat the tuna raw without hesitation. If you feed your dog raw, i.e. barf, you simply add it to his meal.
Before feeding, remove any bones that may be present.
Boiled tuna
You also have the option of steaming or frying the raw tuna.
You can also add some vegetables or a small piece of boiled potato.
Then chop up the tuna and mix everything into the wet or dry food.
Cooked canned tuna
You can get canned tuna at the supermarket.
This is available in two variants: in its own juice or in Oil.
You can feed the tuna in its own juice without hesitation. It offers your dog a welcome change in the bowl.
My dog loves canned tuna and prefers to eat it straight out of my hand.
Your four-legged friend can also eat tuna in oil. This is ideal, especially if he has a little bit on his ribs and should gain weight. Nevertheless, you should drain the oil well, otherwise there will be too much fat at once.
If your dog is overweight and needs to lose weight, it’s best to avoid tuna in oil.
Good to know:
Well-stocked discount stores sell canned tuna with vegetables and other ingredients. You should not feed these to your dog because they may contain ingredients and (hot) spices that your dog is not allowed to eat.
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Tuna really is that healthy
Your dog can benefit from the many nutrients found in tuna. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, contains a lot of protein and hardly any fat.
Incidentally, fish is considered low-allergenic in contrast to meat such as liver.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important for building healthy and strong bones. It also plays a role in metabolism.
Vitamin A
Another important nutrient is vitamin A. It has a positive effect on metabolism. It is also essential for healthy eye function and contributes to good vision.
B vitamins
The B vitamins are important for skin, coat and the immune system. Also for healthy nerve function and the formation of red blood cells.
vitamin E
Vitamin E is responsible for the dog’s performance. It is also responsible for better wound healing.
Omega 3
Like all fish, tuna is a wonderful source of omega 3 and omega 6. The fatty acids have an anti-inflammatory function and are good for teeth, joints and bones.
Furthermore, omega 3 is said to have a positive effect on cardiovascular health. They are also good for the immune system and can help to reduce itching.
By the way, many dog owners notice amazing changes in the dog’s coat when they feed fish.
Other vitamins include iodine, iron and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc.
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You should consider this when buying tuna
When buying tuna, always make sure it is of good quality.
The reason is that tuna is one of the fish that can have high levels of mercury.
Symptoms of mercury poisoning can include vomiting blood, loss of teeth, diarrhea and loss of consciousness.
Also note that your dog may not tolerate fish. Although allergies are quite rare, they can occur.
Good to know:
If your dog eats too much tuna, there is a risk of mercury poisoning. That’s why you should only feed small pieces of it.
If you’re feeding raw tuna, you need to know that it can be infested with parasites and bacteria. As a result, it can lead to health problems.
In order to rule out these dangers as far as possible, you should only feed fresh tuna that you can be sure is of good and tested quality.
To be on the safe side, it is advisable to buy frozen tuna. Any parasites or bacteria die in the frozen state. You can also opt for canned tuna since the fish is already cooked in there.
It is clear that tuna is generally controversial. Be it as fish on our plates or for our dogs.
Of course, you should not use tuna in large quantities or as a staple food. However, it makes a welcome change from meat.
If you give your loved one a little every now and then, that’s fine. In addition, you should always ensure a varied diet so that your dog gets all the essential vitamins.
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Conclusion: Can your dog eat tuna?
Yes, your dog can eat tuna. It is healthy and is even an ingredient in some types of dog food.
However, you should always ensure good quality to avoid mercury poisoning as much as possible.
You can feed the fish raw, cooked, or canned.
you have questions Then put them in the comments now!