If your dog likes fish, you might wonder if smoked salmon treats suit your pet. Salmon is good for you and your dog because it is a good source of energy and omega-3 fatty acids. Your dogs can eat smoked Salmon, but there are better ways to eat this kind of fish.
In this article, we talk more about whether or not it’s safe for your dog to eat smoked Salmon, what could happen if your dog ate smoked Salmon, and how to give Salmon to your dog in a secure way.
Can Dogs Eat Smoked Salmon?
Salmon is suitable for dogs as long as it is fresh, boneless, and well-cooked, but what about smoked Salmon? Is it different in terms of how healthy it is? Does it help your dog?
Sad to say, the answer is no.
It’s not good for your dog because it’s cured and has a lot of salt.
Dogs shouldn’t eat things with too much salt because they could get sick from too much sodium ion.
The slight chance it has bugs is another reason you shouldn’t give your dog smoked Salmon. Even though that’s not likely to happen, you still want to be safe.
Also, Salmon that is raw or not fully cooked is not suitable for your dog. It could have the parasite Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which causes a sickness called salmon poisoning. This sickness can kill.
Raw Salmon also has a lot of small, fragile bones that could cause them to choke or get stuck in their stomach or intestines.
What kinds of Salmon can dogs eat?
Cooking Salmon the right way is suitable for your dog’s health. The following kinds of fish are ideal for dogs:
- Salmon that was cooked in a pot.
- Salmon that has been grilled.
- Salmon that has been roasted.
- Salmon that was cooked in the oven.
- Salmon in a can.
Make sure to thoroughly cook the Salmon before giving it to your dog, no matter what you do. If you eat Salmon that is raw or not cooked enough, it can provide you with bugs. Parasites from raw or uncooked Salmon that get into the intestines can cause salmon poisoning disease, which can be deadly.
Why is it wrong for dogs to eat smoked Salmon?
Even though dogs need some salt in their diet, even a tiny amount of smoked Salmon could put them over the amount they should eat.
Even though eating salty food once probably won’t do much, eating a lot daily can cause problems like thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even sodium poisoning.
Some dogs, like those with cognitive heart failure or high blood pressure, are even more likely to get sick when they eat a lot of salt. These dogs must stick to a low-sodium diet and may even need a prescription diet from their vet.
Second, as we mentioned, smoked Salmon is technically raw, which means it could have germs or parasites that are bad for dogs.
Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are typical examples of these, but there are other, less well-known ones. Technically, this is a minimal risk, the same risk people take when they eat raw Salmon.
Some dog owners may ignore this and take the risk, but others would rather be safe and avoid giving their dogs uncooked fish like Smoked Salmon.
If your dog eats smoked salmon, what should you do?
Many dog owners stress when their dogs eat something they shouldn’t, but if your dog ate a small amount of smoked Salmon, you probably don’t need to worry.
Most pets won’t respond much or at all to a small amount of smoked Salmon, except maybe to drink a little more water than usual.
But if your dog got into a lot of smoked Salmon all at once, you should take some extra measures. When dogs eat a lot of smoked Salmon, they may get sick, have diarrhea, or feel uncomfortable, all signs of a stomachache.
If your dog ate a lot of smoked Salmon, you should keep a close eye on them for the next 24–48 hours to see if they show any signs. You should also ensure they have enough water to drink whenever they want.
If they have severe or constant signs during this time, you should talk to a vet to find out what to do next.
Advantages of Salmon for Dogs
Salmon is a healthy fish that, when made right, can help our dogs in many ways, such as by giving them more nutrients and making their skin and fur healthier.
Salmon provides protein for strong muscles and a healthy dog immune system. Additionally, salmon can make your dog’s skin and coat look healthier and feel firmer.
Also, the fatty acids in Salmon are a natural anti-inflammatory part of your dog’s food, which can help dogs with illnesses like arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
How to cook Salmon for your dog
If you’ve already read ahead and know the risks and still want to feed your dog Salmon, there are a few more things you should know to keep your dog safe:
Choose fresh fish that don’t have any bones and check for small bones before cooking.
- Cook the fish all the way through.
- You can boil, grill, roast, steam, or bake it.
- Don’t add oil, salt, pepper, garlic, or onions that aren’t necessary.
- Yes, you can feed canned Salmon.
- Just ensure that you pack it in water and not in salty sauce.
- Depending on how big your dog is will determine how much you provide them.
- Salmon shouldn’t be fed more than once a week.
Conclusion
Salmon is safe for dogs to eat if cooked right and has no bones or seasonings. Our pets get more vitamin B and omega-3s from Salmon, which is good for their health and well-being.
But it’s not a good idea to feed our dogs smoked Salmon from the store because it has a lot of sodium and nitrates and nitrites that could be dangerous. If you cook the Salmon yourself, you can better control how you use these ingredients and ensure that the result is safe for your dog to eat.
On the other hand, the skin of smoked Salmon can be a healthy treat as long as it is not too salty and we don’t add dangerous spices like garlic and onions.
Ultimately, we must feed our pets a well-balanced diet with the right amount of fish, such as adequately cooked Salmon and other nutrients. By doing this, we can give them the best care possible and support their health and happiness in the long run
