Can Dogs Eat Tuna? Occasional Only

Larger fish such as tuna can accumulate mercury, so vets generally suggest it as an occasional extra only. Tuna is also not nutritionally complete, and eating a lot could unbalance a diet.

Pick plain tuna in water with no added salt. Drain it, and offer a small flake or two.

• Water-packed, no salt added.
• Drain thoroughly.
• Offer a small amount.
• Avoid oil and flavoured cans.

Tuna salad often contains onion, mayonnaise and seasoning, and tuna in brine or sauce is salty. The ASPCA warns that excess salt can cause problems and lists onion as harmful.

Do not share raw tuna or sushi. Raw fish can carry bacteria and parasites. Extras like this should stay a small part of the day's food. A common vet guideline is that treats and extras make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Dogs differ by size, age and health, so ask your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition, is a puppy, or is on a special diet.

Tuna can contain mercury, and the amount varies with the type and the can. Because of this, tuna should not be a regular part of a dog's diet. Variety matters, and a balanced commercial diet is the foundation.

A tiny flake of tuna is a strong lure. For pills, check with your vet first, and use only a small amount. For training, a few flakes can go a long way, so keep them tiny.

Look for tuna in water with no salt added, and drain it well. Tuna in oil adds fat, and tuna in brine or flavoured sauces add salt and seasonings. Do not give tuna with onion or garlic.

A teaspoon of plain tuna is plenty for a large dog, and a few flakes for a small one, and only once in a while. Because tuna can contain mercury, it should not be a regular part of the diet, whatever the size of your dog.

Drain it well, and choose water-packed, no-salt-added cans.

Common mistakes include giving tuna in oil or brine, feeding tuna salad with mayonnaise and onion, and offering it every day. Another is giving tuna as a replacement for a meal.

If your dog ate a lot of tuna salad, watch for vomiting and diarrhea, and call your vet if the salad included onion or garlic.

Puppies and small dogs are more sensitive to mercury per body weight, so keep it very rare. Seniors with kidney issues should avoid salty cans. Dogs on prescription diets should only have tuna with vet approval.

If you are unsure, offer a different treat.

Fish can be part of a dog's diet, and many complete foods include it. Fish that you share from your own plate should be cooked, plain and boneless. Tuna is a larger fish and can accumulate mercury, so it is less suitable for regular use than smaller fish, according to common vet advice.

Canned fish varies: those in water without added salt are the simplest, and those in oil, brine, sauces and smoked styles are not. Always drain it. If your dog eats fish regularly as part of a prescription or commercial diet, follow your vet's guidance rather than adding extra from your pantry.