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When I was new to raw feeding, I wasn't comfortable feeding raw fish to my dogs because I worried about parasites or salmon poisoning. After joining the local raw food co-op and meeting more raw feeders, I decided to try raw sardines and I never looked back.
Benefits of Feeding Fish
There is a variety of fish that we can feed to our dogs, and while there are some nutritional differences, fish is going to be a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. When we feed sardines, we're supporting…
- skin and coat health
- joint health
- cognitive health
- cardiac health
All while boosting the immune system and fighting cancer.
What Fish Can Dogs Eat?
The fish raw feeders can add to their dogs' diet, which varies based on our geographical location. There will be some available and affordable fish for me, but that may not be possible for you. So, when you wonder, “Can my dogs eat smelt?” – pull up Google and research.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have many fresh fish options for our dogs. I primarily feed my dogs the following:
- sardines
- mackerel
- salmon (from Raw Paws Pet Food)
- whitefish and salmon (sourced from Northwest Naturals)
- trout (sourced from Northwest Naturals)
- herring
- smelt
- squid
I get most of my fish through a local raw food co-op (including the fish from Northwest Naturals), which arrives frozen. When I get fish from friends (who fish), from local ethnic stores, and from my local grocery store, I either freeze the fish for three weeks (to kill any parasites) or cook it before feeding it to the dogs.
What About the Parasites in Fish?
Your veterinarian might tell you not to feed fish because of the parasites and bacteria that live in the meat of the fish – tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms.
The video above shows worms in fish is disgusting; I watched a few, and the video above is tame by comparison. I learned that it's perfectly natural for fish to have worms; parasites are a natural occurrence and not a contamination, according to Oregon State University.
Based on my research, for raw fish to be safe to feed our dogs, it must be frozen for at least 24 hours to kill any existing parasites. However, home freezers may not be cold enough to do the job; the fish must be frozen for at least seven days with an internal temperature of -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C).
According to Raw Feeding Advice & Support, raw feeders should freeze fresh fish for at least three weeks, not the 24 hours some recommend, before feeding our dogs.
What About Mercury Levels in Fish?
According to the FDA, fish low in Mercury (as of October 2021) are:
- Mackerel
- Herring
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Smelt
- Squid
- Trout, freshwater
- Whitefish
Visit Advice About Eating Fish produced by the FDA for the full list.
Does the Fish Need to be Raw?
No. It doesn't.
I prefer to feed fish and other proteins raw because I believe this is what nature intended. A dog has the teeth, jaw strength, and digestive system to handle raw meat and fish. However, I'm rarely able to source raw sardines and mackerel, so my dogs primarily eat canned fish.
- canned sardines in olive oil
- canned sardines in water, no salt added
- canned salmon (when I can get it on sale)
- canned oysters (not smoked)
I'm not worried about the sodium content because (1) this isn't a daily addition to their diet, and (2) my dogs don't have a health issue that requires me to monitor their sodium intake.
As I shared above, I also cook fish for my dogs – mainly salmon and trout fillets when I can get them on sale.
Daily Dosage of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Dogs
Before we can go into the impact of cooking fish for our dogs, we should probably start with the recommended dosage of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is essential information if you're contemplating a fish oil supplement.
The internet doesn't agree on the safe dosage of Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs. Some articles take their data from AAFCO, while others take information from The National Research Council (NRC guide).
According to the NRC, the recommended supplemental dosage of EPA and DHA for dogs is 50-75 mg per kg daily with a safe maximum of 280 mg/100 kca. I understand that kcal is short for kilocalories and is the same as calories. It's not necessary to multiply 280 mg by 1,000.
To convert your dog's weight from lbs to kg, divide it by 2.2. The following shows the daily requirement of Omega-3 fatty acids for each of my dogs.
- Rodrigo: 60 lbs = 27.3 kg: 1,365 – 2,047,5 mg
- Scout: 72 lbs = 32,7 kg: 1,635 – 2,452,5 mg
- Zoey: 63 lbs = 28.6 kg: 1,430 – 2,145 mg
- Apollo: 74 lbs = 33.6 kg: 1,680 – 2,520 mg
Omega-3 Fatty Acids by Fish
According to the Internet, the following are the Omega-3 fatty acid totals by fish. I believe that the following figures were calculated on cooked fish because my source discusses human nutrition:
- mackerel: 5,134 mg per 3.5 ounces
- salmon: 2,260 mg in 3.5 ounces
- herring: 2,366 mg per 3.5 ounces
- oysters: 435 mg per 3.5 ounces
- sardines: 1,480 mg per 3.5 ounces
- anchovies: 2,113 mg per 3.5 ounces
Source: Healthline.com
Does Cooking Impact the Omega 3 Levels?
Now that we know the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids different fish bring to the bowl let's discuss how cooking impacts that number.
One of the concerns many raw feeders have about cooking is the loss of nutrients. The good news is that cooking fish doesn't necessarily deplete the Omega-3 fatty acids. Grilling, broiling, poaching, and baking preserve the healthy fats in fish.
Frying and smoking fish doesn't lower the Omega-3 fatty acid levels, but these cooking methods offset the benefits. Frying increases unhealthy fats, and smoked fish is higher in salt and has been linked to some type of cancers.
Raw Food Brands that Offer Fish
I'm sure that many raw food brands offer fish, but the two brands I feed to my dogs are:
- Northwest Naturals (available in many independent pet stores)
- whitefish and salmon
- trout
- Raw Paws Pet Food (available online)
- salmon (salmon trim, salmon frames, salmon heads)
- beef and mackerel
Best Prices on Canned Sardines and other Fish
I shop for sardines and other canned fish at Walmart, local ethnic stores, and outlet grocery stores – and I buy every can. #sorrynotsorry
At the time of this post, the following were the prices in Western Washington:
- Seasons sardines in water with no salt added are $1.52 each at Walmart.
- Seasons sardines in olive oil are $2.53 each at Walmart.
- Seasons sardines in olive oil are $11.99 for six cans (or $2 each) at Costco, and they often go on sale.
I feed each dog one whole can of sardines; the larger cans of sardines in tomato sauce can be split between three or four dogs. I split canned mackerel and salmon between three of my dogs.
I also buy canned oysters (boiled, not smoked). I add these to my meal preps (one can for every 8 quarts). This is just what I do, not a rule. Read more about the Benefits of Oysters for Dogs.
How Much Fish I Feed to My Dogs
I am raising four adult dogs and choose to balance their diet over time. That being said, I don't have a set amount to feed my dogs. Sometimes, I feed fish to my dogs as full meals, and sometimes, I feed a couple of spoonfuls of fish to supplement my DIY.
None of my dogs have an allergy to fish; they all enjoy it, making this an easy food to feed.
I recommend working with a meal formulator or investing in meal formulation software if you need more details on how much you should feed to your dog. This is your best shot at getting accurate information for your dog.
Still Worried About Parasites?
I don't blame you. That video is disgusting. So, I went to the one place where people aren't afraid of parasites – sushi lovers. According to SushiModeren.com, “the truth is that parasites are quite rare and only occur with any frequency in a small handful of species. For the species that do experience parasites, infection rates vary regionally as well. One study observed rates as high as 98% of horse mackerel from a Japanese wholesale market carried the the Anisakis parasite. But in Japan, an entire country of raw seafood eaters, there are only 1,000 reported cases of Anisakiasis per year.”
In my opinion, if you don't want to feed raw fish to your dog, feed cooked fish, fish oil, or fermented fish broth. Feed what works for you and your dog.
How to Cook Fish for Dogs
When I score a whole salmon from a friend, he's kind enough to have it cleaned.
Sometimes, I wonder what happens to the heads, Like at the fish market, do they toss the heads and tails?
- Anyway, I bake the salmon at 400 degrees F for 25-35 minutes (depending on the size of the fish).
- I take it out of the oven and let it cool.
- Once cooled, I remove the skin and massage the meat for any lingering bones.
- I toss the bones and mix the skin back into the meat
If you're concerned about the fat in the skin, you can skip that step. The above is just what I do with my dogs.
If You Want to Skip it All and Feed a Fish Oil…
When I'm not feeding fish to my dogs, then I do use a fish oil. The brands that I've chosen for my dogs are:
Anyway, long story short – yes, dogs can eat raw fish.
