Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Yes, But A Risk of Mercury Poisoning?

You can feed a small amount of Tuna to your dog, but make sure not to make it a staple food for your furry friend. Tuna contains omega-3 and protein which are essential in your dog’s diet to keep them healthy.

Tuna is a source of mercury, that’s why eating too much of it will lead to a mercury build-up over time which can result in various health issues. You must have seen some commercial foods that contain tuna as an ingredient which means it is safe for dogs to eat. But you should avoid feeding them on regular basis.

If you want your pup to have seafood, opt for dog food that contains fresh-short lived fish with low mercury levels. It also depends on the kind of tuna you are feeding your dog. There are different species of tuna. Let’s see which kind of tuna your pup can eat.

Related Guide: Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Yes! But also… NO?

Can Dogs Eat Canned Tuna?

Canned tuna often comes from Skipjack or Albacore species of tuna. Skipjack has low levels of mercury and is considered safe for your pooch. Canned tuna often contains high salt content which isn’t good for dogs. Cans that have no added salts are a better option for your dog.

Some canned tuna also contains herbs and spices that mostly we use for salads, but do not feed them to your dog as they can cause illness. You also need to look for preservatives as canned tuna is sometimes preserved in different liquids.

Can Dogs Eat Tuna: Tuna In Brine

If you feed a small amount of tuna in brine, then it’s completely okay but I would never recommend you to feed tuna in brine to your pup. The brine contains lots of salts and ingesting too much can cause sodium poisoning.

Can Dogs Eat Tuna: Tuna In Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a little safer and is lower in saturated fats than any other oil. It has some benefits to offer to your dog but if they consume it in a very small quantity.

Too much oil results in unhealthy weight gain and inflammation. Sunflower oil contains omega-6 which is a great choice for your dog but it must be ingested in conjunction with omega-6 in order to prevent inflammation and unwanted immune responses. If your dog consumes little amount of tuna in sunflower oil then it is safe but tuna canned in spring water is the best option.

Can Dogs Eat Tuna Steak?

If you want to feed your dog tuna steak, make sure you use tuna that has a low mercury level and is cooked properly.

A cooked tuna steak with veggies and fruits beautifully presented on a white plate

While giving tuna steak to your dog, do not add any additional spices and herbs as it can lead to various issues and gastrointestinal problems. So, it is better to serve plain.

Additionally, you should never feed your dog bluefin tuna as it contains high mercury levels.

Caution: Mercury In Tuna

We all are well aware of the fact that lots of rubbish and pollutants are dumped into the oceans. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury are also part of these pollutants that enter the sea.

These heavy metals build up inside the fishes and they ingest a small amount of mercury with every meal, which then cannot be destroyed. In the case of Tuna, it is a large and long-lived fish so that’s why it contains higher levels of mercury than other fishes.

For this reason, if you or your pet eats too much tuna in a short period of time, you can have mercury poisoning. The signs of poisoning include tremors or excessive drooling. In such a case, you should visit your vet immediately.

In order to avoid mercury poisoning, it’s best to feed tuna in moderation to your furry friend. You can also feed them other fish options that are safe like salmon or white fish. These fishes offer a lower level of mercury with the same nutritional benefits.

Mercury Poisoning Symptoms:

Blindness
Anxiety
Hair loss
Tremors
Vomiting blood
Loss of coordination

Can Dogs Eat Tuna: Recipe Guide

Tuna & Vegetable Dog Treat

Ingredients:

2 cans of tuna in water;
2 ounces of cheddar cheese;
1/2 cup of frozen peas;
1 carrot finely diced;
1 potato finely diced;
1/2 cup of water.

Directions:

Take a non-stick skillet and heat it over medium flame and add olive oil.
When the oil is hot, add potato, carrot, and water. Cook for five minutes.
Now remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle some thawed peas. There is no need to cook them.
Add tuna with the water it is packed in, breaking the tuna as you add it to the skillet.
Add diced cheese and allow it to cool.
You can serve these delicious tuna treat to your pup.

Homemade Fishy Dog Treats

Ingredients:

7 ounces of tuna in water;
14 ounces of salmon;
4 eggs;
2 cups of flour.

Steps:

Combine tuna and salmon in a bowl.
Add the beaten egg followed by the flour. Stir well to thoroughly combine.
Spreadly evenly on the baking tray.
Now bake for 40 minutes and let it cool.
Cut into 1/2-inch squares and divide into storage bags.

Facts About Tuna

Tuna can reach a length of 6.5 feet and weigh up to 550 pounds.
Tuna are very fast swimmers.
Tuna is one of the most consumed fishes.
They can travel large distances in a short period of time.
The average lifespan of tuna is between 15 to 30 years.

Wrapping Up!

If you want your pup to have seafood, opt for dog food that contains fresh-short lived fish with low mercury levels. It also depends on the kind of tuna you are feeding your dog.