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Can Dogs Eat Tuna

YES, dogs can eat tuna.

Can dogs eat tuna?

Tuna fish is high with protein and great for your dogs.

Health Benefits of your dog eating Tuna

According to My San Antonio, the omega-3 fatty acids in tuna are responsible for a long list of cardiovascular benefits. Omega-3s help the cardiovascular system by aiding in the prevention of irregular heart rhythms, making blood clots less likely, and improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to potentially harmful (LDL) cholesterol. Not to mention, omega-3s reduce inflammation, and thereby the conversion of cholesterol into artery-clogging plaques.

That’s not all: by facilitating greater variability between heartbeats, the omega 3 fatty acids reduce the risk of arrhythmia and/or sudden death.

The high amount of vitamin B6 found in tuna, along with folic acid, lowers levels of homocysteine, a by-product compound of the methylation cycle. High levels of homocysteine are very harmful to artery walls, an important risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Through its high levels of omega-3s, tuna lowers levels of triglycerides, high amounts of which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Omega-3 fatty polyunsaturated fatty acids help prevent and control high blood pressure.

The high level of omega-3 acid in tuna is also very helpful in maintaining great vision.

Tuna is also an excellent source of Vitamin B12 and selenium. Vitamin B12 is essential for the function of an enzyme that synthesizes the amino acid methionine from homocysteine. Inadequate function of this enzyme can lead to increased levels of homocysteine in the body, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Puggumz eating food

Vitamin B12 is also required for the function of an enzyme involved in producing energy from fats and proteins.

Selenium is a trace element that is required for the function of many selenium-dependent enzymes in the body called selenoproteins. Some selenoproteins also help regulate thyroid hormones and are essential for normal development, growth and metabolism.

How much tuna can a dog eat?


Some dogs also might generate excessive flatulence after eating tuna since it is so high on fat.

You also do not want to make this fatty fish a regular treat for your dog, let alone make it a staple food item. He might be getting too much fat and not enough of all the nutrients needed. Although dogs can eat tuna, it is not to be part of their everyday diet. The best way to feed it would be slice it into smaller pieces (or feed some canned) occasionally as part of a meal or as a treat.

Dogs are able to eat canned or fresh tuna. Of course with the fresh fish, you would want to make sure there are no bones involved!

Otherwise they seem to love it, it is natural food for dogs, just beware of excessive mercury.

Red tuna

Can dogs have Tuna juice?

ASPCA says, Tuna juice, if given in small quantities, shouldn’t be harmful to your dog —but an animal’s digestive system can be sensitive, and foods they don’t normally eat can easily cause digestive upset. If you notice your dog suffering from signs of digestive upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, stop feeding him the tuna juice immediately, and please remember that 90 to 95 percent of your pet’s caloric intake should come from a high-quality, nutritionally complete pet food. The remaining 5 to 10 percent can come from treats like tuna juice.

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  1. I just walked outside whilst eating some tuna salad in a small bowl. My dog started begging for some so I gave him a small chunk of it then worried it might be bad for him. I a relieved to find this article and learn that tuna is actually good for dogs. Thanks for posting it.

  2. I have a 7 month old Yorkie she is not eating the dry food and loosening weight. I give her Tuna and she eat it, she only had a hand full, I mixed it with her dry food? and she picked at it. Should I be worried?

    • my pit is the exact same way i do the same for him mixing dry food with tuna
      you can also try

      1. warming the dry food up

      2. feed your dog canned dog food

      3. poor natural chicken broth over on top of it

    • Don’t worry my yorkie was exactly the same. She is 2 years 6 months and been a worry since I.had her at 8 weeks old. Purchased all dry foods and always picked at it through the day. She never ate her required amount she lost tons of weight. Went down to 6.5lbs skin and bones. I decide to give tuna flakes a go. Only a small amount I add to her dry food. I buy iams complete. I mix it together with a little water. She eats it and has gained weight back to a healthy 9lbs.

  3. I recently fed my Doberman some tuna and was alarmed by not just the resulting excessive flatulence, but the fact that he seemed to be in extreme stomach discomfort all night. Could this be due to the specific breed?

    • Did you feed your Dobie tuna or tuna salad? The mayo, pickles, onions, and celery can sometimes give them gas and stomach upset. In the vet clinic where I work, sometimes dogs who come in after eating people food get a little kaopectate to coat the stomach. Hope that helped. :)

  4. High amounts of tuna fed to your cat or dog can induce mercury poisoning, especially from canned tuna. All tuna has an amount of mercury in it that is nominal in a single serving, but can build up to dangerous levels over time (remember that doctors do not recommend women eat high amounts of tuna while pregnant, as it can create problems in utero). Please use intelligence before feeding your animals and consult a vet with any sort of food you may have second thoughts on.

  5. I have a schnauzer who has terrible allergies, yet I don’t know what he seems to be allergic to. He licks and bites constantly. I am trying grain free foods and occassionally when it gets to be really bad, I give him a benadryl. Occassionally when I make tuna fish I give him the tuna juice in his food. I recently gave him some tuna fish, not much, but it seemed to have actually stopped him from licking and scratching for a little while. I did it again early in the morning when I was awakened by his incessantly licking and it seemed to just relax him completely. It didn’t seem like his stomach was upset but he just seemed calmed. How much tuna fish is too much and is there an alternative to tuna fish?

  6. We have a Great Pyr who is rather picky so we tend to try and have an assortment of mixes to go with her dry. One is fresh boiled eggs (2) once per week, another is a half can of tuna (in water) twice per week. In between, we try other things like ham and chicken trimmings (NO bones).

    She also has a very good time with a treat called ‘Better Than Ears’ which comes in an assortment of flavors, one being peanut butter which is good for joint and muscle health.

    Great website, thanks!

  7. soniashackleton on

    My best friend is now 16yrs old & has always eaten chicken or lamb. He now likes tuna for some reason. He always been v sensable with his diet & can therefore eat whatever he likes. He wont eat choc cheese ect

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