Can Dogs Eat Sushi? Safe Or Dangerous?

If you love to eat sushi, then you may wonder can dogs eat sushi?

This Japanese delicacy can be made of raw fish, seafood, or vegetables.

I hope you read this article before giving sushi to your pouch because the answer itself isn’t so simple.

In this article, you will find some interesting facts, some tasty recipes for your dog, and very useful information.

What is Sushi?

The word “sushi” refers to the sour flavor of vinegared rice.

Sushi is a Japanese dish featuring specially prepared rice(white or brown) and usually some type of fish or seafood, often raw, but sometimes cooked. 

It can also include veggies like carrots, cucumbers, avocados, etc.

Can Dogs Eat Sushi?

The answer is Maybe. It depends a lot on what is actually in the sushi.

Actually, sushi is primarily made of rice. Rice is so good for dogs. Even if your dog has some problems with the stomach, your vet will probably recommend boiled rice.

Other good ingredients in sushi are carrots, cucumbers, and mango.

If you know what exactly sushi contains then it will be easier for you to understand if you can give a bit of sushi to your dog or not.

Why?

Well, there are some ingredients that should be avoided. Some ingredients are toxic, others may upset the dog’s tummy.

What Ingredients Should Be Avoided In Sushi?

1. Tempura:
   • Dogs mustn’t eat any fried food;
2. Avocado:
   • They contain persin, which is toxic and can cause severe damage.
3. Cream cheese:
   • Dogs with lactose intolerance shouldn’t eat cream cheese;
   • Dogs that are okay shouldn’t eat it too because it’s high in fats and can affect your dog negatively;
   • Dogs need some amount of fat but there are much better sources than cream cheese;
   • Eating cream cheese can lead to gaining weight, heart problems, pancreatitis, or obesity.
4. Wasabi:
   • Because of its strong taste and smell, it can be dangerous for a dog’s digestive system.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Fish in Sushi?

Raw fish isn’t necessarily bad for dogs. Fish is full of lean protein and omega fatty acids.

Fortunately, there is no difference between raw and cooked fish and their benefits.

But you should check for parasites, like flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms.

If your dog has a sensitive stomach it’s better for raw fish to be skipped.

Also, if your dog already has problems with worms, then raw fish is a big No.

If you want your dog to stay safe then it’s better to give them cooked fish, there will be no place for worrying later.

As dogs get older, their immune system becomes less powerful, so you should make sure that everything your dog eats is well-cooked.

How To Feed Sushi To Dogs

If you are in the mood to order some sushi and give some to your dog, make sure that there are no ingredients such as avocado, species (they can hurt a dog’s stomach), wasabi, tempura, or raw fish.

The better option is to make some sushi at home so you can be sure what are the ingredients.

No matter if you order some veggie sushi, plain rolls with meat, or make a homemade one you should keep the amount little.

You should cut the sushi into small pieces so it can be easier for your dog to eat and digest them.

And don’t forget it’s healthy if it is in small amounts.

Healthy Benefits For Dogs From Eating Sushi

As I already mentioned rice is very good for dogs. Both white and brown rice is easily digestible by dogs. Rice contains fiber that will help dogs if they have any GI problems.

Then comes the fish. The cooked fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that help their skin and coat to be healthy and shiny.

Seaweed is also healthy for dogs. It is high in amino acids, minerals, and vitamins.

Then we are coming to the veggies that you can put in your and your dogs’ sushi. Dogs love cucumbers and carrots.

Cucumbers contain Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Potassium, and Magnesium. Cucumbers are 96% of water and can be very beneficial in summer to keep them hydrated on hot days.

Carrots contain Fiber, Potassium, and Vitamin A. Carrots can be found in many dogs’ food.

Signs Your Dog Is Reacting Bad To Sushi

You should keep sushi’s ingredients simple if you want to give sushi to your dog.

If it’s the first time you give sushi to your dog, then you should check carefully if it shows any symptoms of allergies.

If your dog had spoiled sushi, then you may notice some of these symptoms:

• Lethargy;
• Fever;
• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Seizures;
• Uncoordinated movements.

Get in touch with your vet immediately.

Conclusion

Sushi can be an enjoyable treat for your dog if you keep it plain and with healthy ingredients only.

Dog-Friendly Sushi Recipes

I am sure that you want to try some dog-friendly recipes, so I am sharing 3 very good ones that need to be tried.

You can make sushi from these recipes for yourself too.

1. Sushi Treat For Dogs

2. Sushi for Dogs

Ingredients:

• Cooked salmon fillets;
• 1 cup cooked rice;
• Carrot, peeled and sliced;
• Cucumber, peeled and sliced;
• Seaweed or nori paper.

Instructions:

1. Spread a small amount of rice evenly on the seaweed paper. Leave about an inch of empty space on one side of it (this is where we’ll apply water later to seal the roll).
2. Put a few pieces of veggies and a thin line of salmon pieces right in the center.
3. Start rolling on the sushi mat.
4. Apply some water to the edge of the paper and seal the roll tight.
5. Slice with a very sharp knife.

3. DIY Sushi For Dogs

Ingredients:

• Sushi rice (1/2 cup for each roll);
• Dog-friendly chicken and/or beef stock/broth.

For the filling:

• Chicken Breast Fillet;
• Beef Eye Fillet;
• Egg;
• Coconut Oil;
• Shredded Cheese;
• Shredded Carrot.

Instructions are in the video:

FAQs

Can dogs eat sushi rolls?

Yes, dogs can eat sushi rolls but if they are without raw fish and all the dangerous ingredients from above.

Can dogs eat sushi seaweed?

Yes, seaweed is safe for dogs. Seaweed is reasonably nutritious, too.

Can dogs eat sushi salmon?

As I have mentioned already it’s recommended to not feed dogs raw fish. The same is the situation with raw salmon. It can develop salmon poisoning, a disease caused by the parasites on the fish.

But dogs can eat cooked salmon.

Can dogs eat sushi tuna?

Again will say No.

Why?

Well, consuming lots of tuna can cause tuna poisoning, because of the high levels of mercury.

Can dogs eat sushi crab?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked crab meat. You need to make sure there aren’t any shell pieces because they can cause choking.

If it’s the first time giving crab meat to your dog make sure it’s little and also be careful about any allergic reactions such as itching, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Can dogs eat vegetable sushi?

Yes, dogs can eat sushi with veggies such as carrots, and cucumbers.

7 Fun Facts For Sushi

1. Sushi isn’t originally Japanese. The practice of making sushi is estimated to have started as early as 500 B.C. in the rice-growing region of Southeast Asia, somewhere along the Mekong River.
2. The sushi rice was once considered trash. Narezushi is the original Japanese sushi, consisting of fermented rice and aged fish. After the fermentation period has passed, the fish is eaten… and the rice is thrown away. 
3. It takes 10 years to become a sushi chef.
4. Women were forbidden to work as sushi chefs.
5. Almost 80% of the world’s bluefin tuna catch is used for sushi.
6. Eat with your hands, not chopsticks.
7. The most expensive sushi is worth over $1,900. Instead of seaweed, Chef Angelito used 24-karat edible gold leaves as wrapping. As if that isn’t fabulous (and expensive) enough, it also includes three Palawan pearls and 20-karat African diamonds.