Tuna is a food rich in proteins of high biological value and unsaturated fatty acids that can be included in the diet of dogs, as long as it is done in the right quantity and form. It is a fish that we can find both fresh and canned, but you should know that not all presentations are recommended in the diet of dogs.
If you want to know if dogs can eat tuna, either fresh or canned, and what its benefits are, keep reading this article on our site to find out.
Can dogs eat fresh tuna?
Yes, dogs can eat fresh tuna. To cook it, you can choose to boil it with the rest of the food that you are going to include in its ration or cook it on the grill with a few drops of olive oil.
In any case, there are two important points to keep in mind if you want to give your dog fresh tuna.
- First of all, the tuna d must be in good condition If the tuna is in poor condition, your dog could suffer a histamine poisoning. Histamine is a degradation component found in some fish such as tuna. This component is not eliminated with heat, so even if we cook the fish, the risk of poisoning remains. Therefore, the best way to prevent this poisoning is to ensure that the fish is fresh and in good condition.
- On the other hand, it is important that when you give your dog fresh tuna, you remove the bones first. If any bones remain hidden in the tuna, they could lodge in the mouth or elsewhere in the digestive tract, causing a problem. To avoid this, don't forget to remove all the bones before including it in the ration.
Can I give my dog canned tuna?
Dogs can also eat canned or canned tuna. However, you should keep in mind that not all canned tuna is suitable for a dog's diet. You can include tuna natural, tuna in olive oil or in sunflower oil, preferably those that are low in s alt. You can add them directly to your dog's ration, previously draining the oil or the preserved water. Of course, do not mix it with feed if you offer this type of food to your dog, since feed and homemade food have different digestive processes. We explain it all to you in this article: "Is it good to combine feed with homemade food?".
All other preserves (pickled tuna, in tomato sauce, etc.) are not recommended.
Benefits of tuna for dogs
Tuna is a blue fish that contains about 12% fat, so it is considered a fatty fish. This fat is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, it is a fish with a high content of proteins of high biological value (23 grams of protein per 100 grams of tuna), which means that it provides a large amount of essential amino acids.
On the other hand, tuna is an important source of vitamins and minerals Among the vitamins, vitamin D and vitamins from the group B (mainly B3, B6 and B12). As for minerals, selenium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and magnesium stand out.
As we can see, tuna is a very complete fish that provides many benefits to our dogs. Now, what is the proper way to offer it? We see it below.
How to feed a dog tuna?
There are different ways to give your dog tuna depending on the type of diet it follows. We show them all so you can choose the most suitable for your dog:
Tuna as a prize
First of all, you should know that if you feed your dog exclusively with a commercial feed, and both the type of feed and the amount you administer are appropriate for its age, breed, level of activity and physiological state, it is not necessary to administer any extra food, since the feed will provide all the nutrients that your dog needs. In these cases, you can administer tuna as a prize, occasionally, but not routinely add it to their feed ration, since, as we have mentioned, in addition, it is not recommended to mix both types of food at the same time. Yes, it would be an excellent option, instead, to establish a mixed diet, through which some days you feed your dog with dry food and other days with homemade food.
As part of a mixed diet or exclusively homemade
If instead of using a commercial feed exclusively you decide to feed your dog a portion of homemade food, either a few days a week or set a solely homemade diet, it is important that you consult your a veterinarian specialized in animal nutrition to ensure that you cover the nutritional needs with your daily ration. You should know that dogs are not strict carnivores, so their diet should not only include protein foods, but also foods rich in carbohydrates, fiber, etc. Of course, the main ingredient must be protein of animal origin. As we have mentioned, tuna is a good source of fat and protein that can be incorporated into the diet of dogs, but, in this case, it must be accompanied with other foods that guarantee a he althy and balanced ration.
In addition, it is important to take into account some considerations if we want to include tuna in our dog's diet.
- It is a fish with a high fat content, which makes it a high-energy food Therefore, if our dog has Obesity or suffer from any pathology that favors overweight, such as hypothyroidism, you should opt for leaner meats or fish (with less fat) such as chicken, turkey or white fish.
- Tuna, like other large predatory fish, tend to store in their body high levels of mercury (specifically methylmercury). Excessive consumption of this type of fish can cause methylmercury poisoning, which usually causes neurological symptoms. For this reason, it is not recommended that you include tuna in your dog's daily ration, but instead alternate it with other sources of protein.
In short, including tuna in your dog's diet is a good option as long as you do it in the right quantity and form. Remember that it should not be a food that you contribute daily, but it is preferable that you alternate it with other protein sources. Likewise, do not forget the importance of offering your dog a he althy and balanced diet that fully covers his nutritional needs. To do this, don't miss our article on What do dogs eat.
