Everyone knows that dogs will eat just about anything and that a healthy diet for them consists of a lot of different foods.

They eat dry kibble, fresh meats, treats, and anything you’ll feed them off of your plate. Some people wonder if salmon specifically is good for dogs or not. Here’s the consensus:

Salmon is good for dogs as it has omega-3 fatty acids and a lot of protein. Eating salmon can support your dog’s immune system, decrease inflammation, and give your dog a healthy, shiny coat. Salmon has a lot of benefits for dogs, and dogs usually love it and will have no problem eating it.

While we know that salmon has a lot of benefits for dogs, there is a lot more to cover. We will also talk about how salmon could be dangerous for some dogs and how to safely prepare salmon for your dog.

Keeping your furry friend healthy and happy is our main priority!

Basics of Dogs eating Salmon

As we mentioned, dogs can eat salmon and they enjoy it 9/10 times. However, dogs should not eat raw salmon. They could get very sick from it and die because some cuts of salmon carry the Neorickettsia helminthoeca parasite.

This parasite is what causes salmon poisoning and it should be avoided at all costs. You can eliminate the danger of parasitic infection by refusing to let your dog eat raw salmon in the first place.

Salmon is actually a pretty common ingredient in pet food due to its nourishing properties. This fish can make your dog healthier on the inside and outside! The salmon skin is also safe for a dog to eat when it’s cooked.

It is high in fat, however, so try to avoid giving it to them very frequently. Just save it as an occasional special treat and there won’t be any problems!

Dogs can eat salmon every day and some veterinarians even recommend that a dog eats salmon daily to promote better health. It is high in protein and low in fat. However, every day means about once a day maximum and in very small amounts.

If a vet has not specifically recommended daily salmon for your dog, you can still give it to them, but once or twice a week should be plenty. As with all human food, only allow your dog to eat it in careful moderation.

Benefits of Salmon for Dogs

There are so many benefits that dogs can get from eating salmon. A few of these benefits include a boosted immune system, a healthier heart, reduced inflammation, and a shiny coat. Each of these benefits makes salmon worth checking out for your dog.

Benefits to Health

There are a lot of internal benefits for a dog when they eat salmon regularly. This is mostly because salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and it’s also low in fat.

This promotes a healthier heart because inflammation will go down and allow proper blood flow to and from the heart.

Salmon is also high in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, so by eating salmon regularly, a dog will have a better immune system so they can fight off any diseases or illnesses that they might come in contact with.

Salmon also improves brain function, so it can be a great thing for developing puppies and senior dogs to eat. Salmon overall has a lot of benefits for any dog.

However,  it is important to make sure that your dog is not allergic to salmon before giving it to them regularly.

Benefits to Appearance

In addition to the benefits that a dog gets to its health when it eats salmon, it also gets an added benefit to its appearance. Salmon helps promote a healthy, shiny coat that will make your dog look even more beautiful than it already is.

Dangers of Dogs eating Salmon

While there are so many benefits that dogs can get from eating salmon, there are also dangers involved with feeding your dog salmon.

Some common dangers include salmon poisoning, salmon cooked with toxic ingredients, and sharp fish bones. Here are all the precautions you need to take to keep your dog safe against these dangers.

Salmon Poisoning

Salmon poisoning is extremely dangerous to dogs. As mentioned before, it is caused by the Neorickettsia helminthoeca parasite which is prevalent in raw salmon.

This parasite will cause an upset stomach in your dog which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, depression, fever, and even death. Always thoroughly cook the salmon that you give to your dog.

Toxic Ingredients

The phrase “toxic ingredients” does not mean ingredients that have harmful chemicals in them, although those can be dangerous too. It is referring to the other things that the salmon may be cooked in that are dangerous to dogs.

The main ingredients to watch out for are onions and garlic because dogs can get very sick from eating these foods.

Fish Bones

A dog can be in a lot of danger if they eat fish bones because they are tiny, brittle, and very sharp. You do not want your dog’s throat or intestines to be damaged by fish bones, so only buy boneless fillets for your dog and check them for any remaining bones as well.

How to Prepare Salmon for your Dog

Preparing salmon for your dog is easy. You just have to follow all of the previously mentioned precautions. Always make sure the salmon is very well cooked.

Whether you catch it yourself or buy it at the grocery store, all salmon given to a dog should be cooked to avoid the risk of salmon poisoning.

Always check the fish for bones, even if you’re buying boneless salmon. This will eliminate any chance of your dog choking on a sharp bone and hurting itself. Avoid cooking the salmon that you give to your dog in anything besides water.

They shouldn’t eat oil and they should definitely avoid garlic, onion, and most seasonings.

Finally, give them small proportions so that they do not get sick. Dogs enjoy salmon and can have it, but just like with any food, give it to dogs in moderation. Your dog will love eating salmon and they will be grateful for this tasty addition to their diet.