Dogs have strong stomach acid that aids digestion and kills bacteria, so raw fish that is safe for people, like the fish served as sushi, is also safe for dogs. However, raw fish can carry parasites, some of which are very dangerous. Most owners err on the side of caution and avoid feeding raw fish to their pets.
In general, it is best to prevent your dog from eating any kind of raw fish. Raw fish may contain harmful pathogens like bacteria and parasites (flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms). It may also contain dangerous heavy metals and bones. Any of these can make dogs and humans sick.
Raw fish is at risk of carrying harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria. This is problematic for two reasons. One, it can make your dog sick, and two, according to the FDA, it can also make you and other members of your family ill.
Fish skins, however, should only be fed to dogs after having been thoroughly cooked. Prior to cooking, fish skins may contain parasites that can harm your dog. Raw and undercooked fish also carry an increased risk of containing bacteria like salmonella, listeria and clostridium.
Short answer: yes they can! In fact, most dogs should be eating fish on a regular basis.
Do not ever give your dog raw or undercooked salmon. It can contain the Neorickettsia helminthoeca parasite, which causes salmon poisoning disease. This disease can be fatal. In addition, raw salmon contains lots of small bones, which are brittle and can choke your dog or lodge in their stomach or intestines.
This infection can occur when dogs eat raw or undercooked salmon, trout, steelhead, or Pacific Giant Salamanders infected with a fluke (parasitic flatworm) called Nanophyetus salmincola. This flatworm is generally harmless to dogs, unless it is infected with a bacteria called Neorickettsia helminthoeca.
Anisakiasis is a parasitic disease caused by anisakid nematodes (worms) that can invade the stomach wall or intestine of humans. The transmission of this disease occurs when infective larvae are ingested from fish or squid that humans eat raw or undercooked.
Fish tapeworm, or Diphyllobothrium spp, is acquired by eating raw or undercooked freshwater or anadromous fish (ie, sea fish that spawn in freshwater rivers, such as salmon).
Types of Fish Dogs Cannot Eat
Any large fish with a long life span is not safe for your dog to eat. These large fish—such as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and albacore tuna fish—accumulate heavy metals; the high amounts of mercury in their system make them dangerous for dogs.
While sushi is safe for dogs to eat, there are some things to consider. Sushi made with raw fish can be a risk for dogs, as it can contain bacteria that can make them sick. It is essential to make sure that any sushi that you give to your dog is fully cooked.
Dog tapeworm (hydatid worm) or roundworms, both may be on fresh produce that has not been adequately washed that was contaminated by dog feces, or, dog tapeworm may also be in contaminated meats of intermediate host animals such as sheep, beef, or pork.
The fish tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) is the largest parasite that infects humans. Humans become infected when they eat raw or undercooked freshwater fish that contain fish tapeworm cysts.
A number of parasites of zoonotic and veterinary significance can be transmitted to cats and dogs through consumption of raw meat and offal.
Almost all fish have parasites of some kind, but very few them ever make it to the plate. And even if they did, very few of the ones that affect fish also affect people. The bacteria found on food is far more dangerous overall, and that's a risk you take eating any food at any restaurant out there.
If you eat fish raw or undercooked, you run a very small risk of infection with one of these worms. If the fish is freshly caught and immediately filleted, however, you won't run into this problem. The reason is that the worms live in the intestines of the fish and would be removed by cleaning.
Are There Parasites in All Fish? Every kind of wild-caught fish can contain nematodes. One study found that more than 90% of certain types of wild-caught fish were infected with nematode larvae. Another concluded that one type of worm infecting fish around the globe is now 283 times more abundant than in the 1970s.
Risk #2: Tuna May Have Parasites and Contamination
Additionally, tuna found off the coast of Iran also had parasites. Some of the most common types are roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. Symptoms of parasites and contamination in your dog aren't hard to miss.
Tapeworms, specifically Echinococcus granulosus (Figure 1) and Taenia spp., are common in dogs with access to raw carcasses. Dogs acquire these tapeworms by ingesting cysts in infected farm animal carcasses, particularly sheep.
Can dogs eat raw tuna? No, dogs should not be offered raw tuna. Raw fish of any kind can be contaminated with parasites or bacteria that can make your dog very ill. There is also an enzyme called thiaminase in raw fish that stops vitamin B1 from being absorbed.
Heavy metals, parasites and other toxins: as previously mentioned, there are certain types of fish, such as swordfish and tuna, that are high in heavy metals. Over time heavy metals build up in our dog's body tissues and can cause health issues.. These types of fish are probably best avoided.
Any salmon given to your dog should be fresh, cooked, and free from bones, which pose a choking hazard. Avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients, as many common ingredients are not safe for dogs to consume.
No, your dog should not eat raw or undercooked salmon. Whether you have caught it yourself or bought some fresh sushi or sashimi, you should not offer any to your pup no matter how tasty they think it smells. This is because of the potential parasites that may be in the fish's flesh.