The benefits of salmon oil for dogs and cod liver oil, among others, are becoming more and more known, however, can they also consume fish? What types of fish are good for dogs? How should we give it to them? Is it necessary to cook them or, on the contrary, can they be eaten raw? Undoubtedly, these are just some of the doubts that assail us when we decide to start in homemade diets for dogs or in hybrid feeding, in which the animal is offered both feed and food prepared by us. Of course, if you are one of those who opt for this last option, you should know that it is not recommended to mix feed with natural food in the same dish, it is necessary to offer it separately and at different times of the day. This is so because these products follow completely different digestive processes and, therefore, making the dog eat them at the same time could develop serious he alth problems, such as gastric torsion.
If you want answers to all your questions, read on and find out on our site if dogs can eat fish and how.
What fish are good for dogs?
Indeed, fish is good for dogs and, despite popular beliefs about the consumption of this product, none of them It usually shows signs of toxicity in dogs, with the exception of cases of allergy to fish. Thus, we can offer our furry companions any type of fish, both white and blue, since each one offers different benefits and interesting properties for the correct development of the dogs. Of course, taking into account that oily fish contains a higher caloric intake than white, if, for example, our dog needs to lose some weight, it is much more advisable to opt for white rather than blue. Likewise, this higher caloric intake also translates into a higher percentage of omega 3 fatty acids, so that oily fish is more indicated to improve the coat of dogs, as well as protect their immune system and prevent the appearance of diseases. cardiovascular.
As dogs are carnivorous animals, in which the protein intake must occupy the highest percentage of their total diet, it is recommended to consume both meat and fish to cover it. The important thing when we decide to venture into the preparation of homemade diets for our animals is to cover all their nutritional needs, maintain a correct balance between phosphorus and calcium, and work with quality products, with organic products being the most recommended.
Now, although all fish are good for dogs, it is true that some of them stand out above the rest for the benefits they offer our four-legged friends. Thus, the most recommended fish are the following:
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Sardines
- Mackerel
- Herring
- Hake
Benefits of fish for dogs
As we have seen, both white and blue fish have great benefits for dogs, so including them in their diet is more than recommended. Now, what exactly are those benefits? Undoubtedly, the first of these, common to both types of fish, is the high protein intakeAs we have already indicated, dogs are carnivorous by nature, and require proteins of animal origin to stay he althy and strong, since without them their body would not be able to produce the enzymes, hormones, tissue and cells necessary for its proper functioning. As for the rest of the weighing properties for dogs, we will detail them depending on the type:
Benefits of white fish for dogs
White fish, also known as lean fish, differ from blue fish mainly because of the percentage of fat and, therefore, of fatty acids in their composition, being much lower in white fish. In general, 100 grams of white fish usually provide around 110 kcal, so it is highly beneficial for obese dogs that require a special diet to lose weight. Likewise, it is also a product recommended for elderly dogs, both for its protein content and for its low caloric intake and other benefits that we name below.
White fish is also an excellent natural source of B vitamins, with B3, B9 and B12 being the most prominent, and vitamin A. On the other hand, it provides dogs with a considerable amount of essential minerals for its proper development, such as calcium and phosphorus, already mentioned above. As we indicated, maintaining the balance between these minerals is essential to avoid a deficiency of one of them, since if the dog's body detects that, for example, it needs more calcium, it will tend to extract it from its own bones, something totally counterproductive. In this way, by offering this food to our furry friend, we not only avoid this situation, but we also favor his bone system and help prevent the development of pathologies related to it such as osteoporosis, arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Although in the previous section we highlighted hake as the most recommended white fish for dogs, we can offer any other type, such as cod, sea bream, etc.
Benefits of oily fish for dogs
Oil fish, unlike white fish, has a high percentage of fat. However, the fats that we find in this type of fish are called 'polyunsaturated', being the omega 3 fatty acid the one present in oily fish. In this way, we see how the products that are part of this food group represent one of the best natural sources of omega 3, a very beneficial substance for dogs. These fatty acids manage to improve the animal's capillary he alth, enhancing its shine, increasing softness and restoring vitality to its fur. Likewise, omega 3 has the ability to protect the animal against possible cardiovascular diseases that it may develop, due to the fact that it considerably reduces the formation of plaques in the blood vessels. On the other hand, it also has important anti-inflammatory properties, indicated for patients with joint pain such as that caused by canine arthritis.
In addition to its omega 3 content, oily fish is good for dogs because of the variety of vitamins that it contains, being vitamin D, A, B12, B3, B2 and B1 the most prominent.
The ideal is to offer salmon, since it is the oily fish that best favors the he alth of our furry friends, however, mackerel, sardines, tuna and herring are also advisable.
How to give my dog fish?
Now that you know that dogs can eat fish and what its benefits are, the time has come to talk about the different ways to offer them this product and include it in their daily diet. In this sense, the ideal and most recommended thing is to cook the fish beforehand and remove all the bones, since in this way we manage to eliminate any type of bacteria. To do this, it is best to make the fish boiled or grilled, never fried or battered. Of course, to keep all its properties intact, it is necessary to cook the fish at a low temperature, without exceeding 70 degrees, and leave it semi-raw, so that it is sealed on the outside and slightly raw on the inside. If you follow the BARF diet and want to offer the animal raw fish, it will be necessary to ensure its origin to confirm its quality.
Once the fish is cooked, wait for it to cool down before shredding it and serving it with a splash of olive oil, the first cold-pressed oil being the most beneficial for dogs. For more information, don't miss our article on the benefits of olive oil for dogs.
On the other hand, from time to time we can also offer canned versions of fish, always natural or in olive oil. An example of this is canned tuna.
How much fish can I give my dog?
There is some controversy regarding the exact amount of protein that a dog should consume per day, as some professionals recommend that it should be around 80% while others suggest that the ideal is 70%. We recommend that you try both percentages and determine for yourself which one is best for your dog. In any case, the remaining 30 or 20% should be occupied with fruits and vegetables good for dogs, and even cereals such as rice or oatmeal one day a week.
Now, if you are looking for an indicative amount in grams we can say that, for every 10 kilos of weight, you can offer the dog between 120 and 150 grams of fish at day On the other hand, it is not advisable to feed the animal with fish every day, remember that the consumption of meat, such as chicken or turkey, is essential to maintain its he alth in perfect condition, except for those allergic to certain meats. Thus, you can set aside two days a week, for example, for preparing fish recipes.
Can I mix the fish with other foods?
Of course, as long as you keep the amounts indicated. In this way, you can combine the fish with pieces of boiled vegetables such as carrots or pumpkin, or with a little boiled rice. Of course, if you wonder if you can mix fish with dog food, the answer is a resounding NO. As we have already indicated, natural foods and commercial feed require different times and digestive processes, so offering them at the same time could cause serious he alth problems and damage the animal's digestive system.
