Can Dogs Eat Tuna – 2024 Pet Diet Guide

Every dog owner knows the importance of giving a dog a diet that includes a variety of foods including human foods as well. Raw meat is said to be more beneficial for a dog, while cooked chicken or beef bones are looked down upon as they can cause harm to the dog due to their sharpness. There is a list of vegetables and fruits that you should and should not give to your dog. There is also a bunch of oils that are great for their coat. However, one confusing food that many people question about whether they should feed their dog or not is fish; including tuna.

We know that you may be wondering whether you can give your dog tuna to eat, after all, it is one of the fish that has a high level of protein. The answer is yes, you can give your dog tuna, but there are some things that you will need to monitor while feeding your dog tuna.

This includes the amount of fish you are feeding the pup and the type you are giving him. Keep on reading, and you will find a lot more about how tuna is safe for your dog and how it should be given to them.

Benefits of feeding your dog tuna

There are many benefits of giving tuna to your dogs. Some of these benefits include the following:

• As mentioned earlier, tuna is full of protein; a lean protein that is. The main work, this protein assists in, is with muscle growth. Your dog will have a good muscle built-up, thanks to this fish; and it will in turn also make sure that there is an only little amount of fat present. This automatically decreases the health problems that your dog may witness.
• There are various minerals and vitamins such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, B3, B6, and B12 present in tuna which will boost the energy levels of your dog and ensure a long and healthy life.
• Many breeds of dogs are prone to developing various health problems that affect their heart and other parts of the body. Tuna consists of Omega-3 fatty acids which are essentials in fighting off health problems in the long run. It reduces inflammation, makes the heart-healthy, makes sure that the dogs’ coat and skin are in excellent condition, takes care of cholesterol levels, and also makes sure that the dog’s eyesight remains in its fabulous self for a long time.

Types of vitamins found in tuna

You may want to know in detail about the vitamins that are found in tuna and how they benefit the dog. Well here it is:

• Vitamin B6 and folic acid – it is known to provide many medical benefits to dogs. This vitamin and folic acid present in the fish act as agents to lower homocysteine levels in a dog’s body. High levels of homocysteine can cause damage to the arteries.
• Vitamin B12 and Selenium – this also helps in lowering the homocysteine levels in the body.
• Omega-3 – this is perfect for the dog’s eyesight and makes sure that it remedies any issues that may be present.

Amount of tuna you should feed your dog

You cannot make tuna a regular meal in your dog’s diet; that is, you cannot give them only tuna in every meal. You need to make sure that your dog also gets a well-balanced diet that includes other types of foods as well. You can even keep tuna as a treat for your dog by giving it to him at least once a week.

Some of the things that you need to remember are:

• Canned tuna has a high amount of sodium present in it, and dogs do not need to consume a lot of sodium as it can eventually take a toll on their health. The best is that you avoid giving them canned tuna altogether. Another problem with canned tuna is that it comes in a variety of flavors, so you need to make sure that you do not pick up a flavor that your dog will not be able to digest or enjoy.
• Tuna that has salt in it (including canned tuna) needs to be avoided, as the salt can impact the pancreas of the pup in a negative manner. It will also cause dehydration in your dog causing them to drink too much water which can lead to GDV.
• Fresh tuna that has not been treated is one of the best that you can give, as it will be ideal for the dog. It will have all its essential nutrients and will make sure that your dog gets his source of vitamins, minerals, and lean protein.
• Tuna juices are also good for the dog so you can give them a dinner plate that includes some of the juices. It is recommended that you do not provide them with the juice alone.

How to feed tuna

When you give your dog tuna, you need to keep the meal as simple as possible. Make sure that if you give them canned tuna, then it only includes water and that you do not add any other types of seasoning to it. Avoiding the juice that is contained in the can is a good idea, but if you want to include that in the meal, ensure that only small amounts are given.

If you have gotten them a goo tuna steak from the market, then you can either give it to them raw or cook it. Raw has more nutritional value, but you will need to make sure that there are no bones in it as they are sharp and can cause damage. Bones can easily get stuck in a dog’s throat and can also cause them to choke.

If you are cooking the fish, make sure that you do not add any seasoning to it. You do not need to marinate the meat or add oil to cook or even broil it, they will find it delicious either way.