Back to all foods5 min read

Can dog's eat... Tuna?

Yes, dogs can eat tuna in small amounts. Tuna is packed with protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which are important nutrients for maintaining your dogs, skin, coat and joint health.

Tuna also contains several essential nutrients and vitamins such as  vitamin B3, B6 and B12 - essential for promoting a healthy metabolism and boosting your dogs energy levels. Therefore tuna can be a welcome addition to your dog's diet. A natural food source that offers something a little different in terms of flavour and texture while supplementing essential macro and micro nutrients in your dog's diet.

But while tuna is a healthy, nutrient packed food it is important to be careful how much tuna you are feeding your dog. Like most large salt water fish, tuna contains relatively high levels of mercury, a heavy metal which can be toxic for humans and dogs alike.

Eating large amounts of tuna on a regular basis will build up mercury levels in your dog's body over time and eventually could lead to mercury poisoning. If your dog has been consuming large amounts of tuna these are some of the signs of mercury poisoning to be aware off:

If your dog has consumed large amounts of tuna for a long period of time (months - years), or if you are worried that your dog is displaying signs of mercury poisoning you should contact your veterinarian straight away. They can arrange for your dog to have tests and treatment if needed. Mercury poisoning is very rare, but it's not impossible, so it's important to have an understanding of what a safe amount of tuna to feed your dog should be.

Looking for digestive care for your pet?
Enter their details to find the best digestive care product for your pet
Get started

#How much tuna can my dog eat?

A few flakes of tuna can have a great visual and aromatic effect, so the amount you need to feed is probably less than you are thinking. A small- medium breed can have around half a tin of tuna once every two weeks. A larger breed dog can have up to one tin of tuna every two weeks. You can split the amount over a few meals to allow enjoyment to spread over multiple meals. 

##Can dogs eat canned tuna?

Canned tuna is often easier to source than fresh tuna, but can you feed this canned over fresh tuna to your dog? 

Yes, you can feed canned tuna to your dog in small amounts. Make sure the canned tuna is in fresh spring water and opt for albacore or skipjack varieties of tuna. These varieties of tuna are smaller than other varieties such as bigeye or bluefin tuna, and thus contain less mercury per serving.

Avoid feeding tuna preserved in brine as it has a high salt content which can lead to gastrointestinal upset and symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy. Whilst symptoms usually resolve without vet care, it can make your dog feel quite miserable for a day or so.

You should also avoid feeding tuna preserved in oils such as sunflower oil. While sunflower oil is safe for dogs, the increased fat content from added oils may cause an upset stomach for your dog. 

There are types of canned tuna with added ingredients or flavourings such as spices, which can give your dog a digestive upset in large amounts or make them feel unwell.

Therefore if you are going to feed your dog canned tuna make sure it's in moderation and preserved in spring water.

##Can my dog eat raw tuna?

This is a tough question as it depends on the quality of the raw tuna. However I would not recommend feeding your dog raw tuna. Raw tuna has higher levels of mercury than cooked tuna. Raw tuna also has the potential to be contaminated with parasites  and bacteria. The risk  of bacterial or parasitic infection is eliminated if the tuna is cooked, so as a veterinarian I believe it's much safer to feed cooked plain tuna to your dog instead of raw.

##Can dogs eat cooked tuna?

Yes, you can give your dog small amounts of cooked tuna. Tuna steaks are best which can be cooked by either steaming, grilling or baking.  When preparing tuna for your dog, avoid the temptation to add salt or seasonings, and make sure that the bones are removed from the fish. Even when cooked, the bones have a small risk of causing a laceration or perforation to delicate gastrointestinal structures, and a larger bone may get stuck in the airways leading to choke. For the same reason, you should remove the head, fins and tail of the tuna fish.

#Summary

In summary, dogs can eat tuna if you cook it well, feed the tuna plain and in small amounts. Dogs thoroughly enjoy the smell, taste and texture that tuna brings to their diet, and it's a safe treat to feed in moderation. The health benefits, particularly the omega oil concentration and rich protein content make tuna a healthy and nutritious addition to your dogs meals or puzzle feeders.