Can Dogs Eat Swordfish? Vet Approved Facts

While many dogs can enjoy eating fish, it’s important to know which ones are safe for them to eat. Dogs must eat fish with lower mercury levels and have been prepared properly. With that being said, dogs shouldn’t eat swordfish because they tend to have high mercury levels.

Since there are many safer fish options for dogs, it’s fairly easy for dog owners to find fish that are less risky to eat. We’ll go over why swordfish isn’t a safe option for dogs and provide healthier alternatives that your dog can enjoy.

Why Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Swordfish

Swordfish isn’t technically toxic to dogs. However, large fish tend to have higher levels of mercury in their tissues.¹ They’re also harvested when they’re more mature and can be the host of many parasites that can live in their skin, internal organs, and muscle tissues. So, even humans are advised only to eat swordfish occasionally.

Feeding your dog swordfish puts it at risk of mercury poisoning.² Mercury is a compound found in Earth’s crust and is toxic to humans and dogs when they come in contact with it or consume it.

Mercury negatively affects the heart, central nervous system, and kidneys. Mild exposures often have a good prognosis, and dogs can recover with proper treatment. However, severe cases can lead to permanent lung damage or brain damage.

Fish That Are Safe to Eat

Fortunately, you can find other fish that are much safer to eat than swordfish. Some popular fish for dogs include salmon, whitefish, herring, cod, and catfish. Many dog food and treat recipes contain these types of fish.

These fish are much safer to eat because they’re smaller in size and are often harvested when they’re younger. This means that they usually have lower traces of mercury and don’t host as many parasites.

Safely Preparing Fish for Dogs

It’s important to feed fish that has been prepared safely. First, the fish should be cooked thoroughly. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourages feeding dogs raw or undercooked meat due to the high risk of pathogens that lead to food poisoning. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends cooking fish to an internal temperature of 145°F.

It’s best to give your dog unseasoned fish and avoid using herbs and spices that are toxic to dogs, like bay leaves, onions, and garlic. The fish also shouldn’t be fried in oil as heavy oils can upset dogs’ stomachs. With that being said, if you want to give your dog canned fish, make sure to give them fish canned in water, not oil.

Lastly, fish bones, fins, and tails shouldn’t be given to dogs. These parts of the fish can cause choking and damage to the intestinal tract. Uncooked fish skin is also unsafe for dogs. Fish skin can be given to dogs as treats if they’ve been scaled and properly dried into jerky. You can usually find fish skin jerky for dogs at your local pet store or through online retailers.

Health Benefits of Eating Fish

Fish has several health benefits for dogs. First, it’s an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and vitamin B2. It also contains many essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.

Omega-3 fatty acids contain DHA, which helps with brain and eye development in puppies and with cognitive functioning in older dogs. It may also help alleviate some symptoms of arthritis and chronic kidney disease and can boost the immune system.

Fish and fish oil can nourish the skin and coat and alleviate inflamed and itchy skin. You may also see improvements in dogs with dry and brittle coats.

Lastly, fish is an excellent alternative for dogs with beef and chicken allergies. You can find many dog food recipes for dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs that contain fish.

 

Conclusion

Dogs shouldn’t be fed swordfish due to the high risks of mercury poisoning and parasitic infections. It’s best to feed dogs smaller fish that are harvested when they’re younger.

Since fish is a fairly popular food option for dogs, you can find many foods and treats that contain fish. There are many ways for your dog to safely enjoy fish and experience the many health benefits it provides. So, feel free to let your dog try some safe fish options and see which ones it enjoys the most.