Dogs · Guide
Can Dogs Eat Salmon?
Yes, dogs can eat plain, fully cooked salmon with no bones. Raw salmon can carry a deadly infection. Here is how to serve it and what to do after raw fish.
Dogs can eat salmon when it is fully cooked, plain, and free of bones. Raw or undercooked salmon is not safe. It can carry a parasite that spreads a bacteria that causes salmon poisoning disease. This illness can kill a dog without treatment. Offer cooked salmon once in a while, not as a main meal.
Why is raw salmon dangerous for dogs?
Raw salmon can carry tiny flukes (flat parasites). Those flukes can carry a bacteria called Neorickettsia helminthoeca. When a dog eats the fish, the bacteria get into the dog’s body. The Merck Veterinary Manual says this causes salmon poisoning disease, even though the name sounds like a toxin.
Dogs can also get it from raw or undercooked trout. The Merck Veterinary Manual says it is found along the Pacific coast of the United States, mostly from northern California to Puget Sound. It also occurs inland along the routes that fish travel.
What are the signs of salmon poisoning disease?
Signs usually start about 5 to 7 days after a dog eats infected fish. Merck says it can take up to 33 days. Look for:
- High fever
- Weakness and no interest in food
- Vomiting, and sometimes bloody diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Dehydration
Merck says up to 90% of dogs that get no treatment die within 7 to 10 days. Vets treat it with antibiotics and supportive care, such as fluids. Dogs treated early do much better.
How do I serve salmon to my dog safely?
The AKC gives these steps:
- Cook it fully. The AKC says to reach an inside temperature of 140°F.
- Take out every bone. Salmon has small, brittle bones. They can choke a dog or hurt its gut.
- Keep it plain. Bake, steam, or grill it with no seasoning, oil, or sauce.
Don’t rely on freezing to make raw salmon safe. The Merck Veterinary Manual does not list freezing as a way to prevent the disease. It says the only way to prevent it is to keep dogs from eating raw or undercooked fish.
How much salmon can a dog eat?
The AKC says to give prepared salmon no more than once a week. It should not be the main part of your dog’s diet. Dog food made with salmon is fine every day, according to the AKC. The AKC also notes that salmon has omega-3 fats, which help the immune system, skin, and coat.
Our sources give no set amount per dog. Ask your vet how much fits your dog’s size and health. As with any treat, keep extras to about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
Other kinds of salmon
Is smoked salmon okay for dogs?
No. The AKC says to avoid smoked fish products. Skip smoked salmon, and stick to plain cooked salmon instead.
Can dogs eat canned salmon?
Yes, if you pick carefully. The AKC suggests low-sodium canned salmon packed in water. Check the label for added salt, oil, or seasoning.
Is raw salmon ever okay?
No. The AKC and Merck both warn against raw salmon. If your dog eats some, call your vet the same day.
What about salmon bones?
Take all bones out first. The AKC says they are small and brittle. They can choke your dog or hurt its stomach and gut.
What if my dog ate raw salmon?
Call your vet right away and tell them how much your dog ate and when. Don’t wait for signs. The AKC says owners should contact their vet right away. It is also worth telling the vet where the fish came from, since the disease is mostly found along the Pacific coast.
Other fish to avoid
The AKC says to avoid fish that are high in mercury, such as tuna, swordfish, and king mackerel. For more on what to keep away from your dog, see our list of foods that are toxic to dogs.
Common questions
Can puppies eat salmon?
The AKC says the omega-3 fats in salmon can help puppies grow. The same rules apply: it must be fully cooked, plain, and boneless. Ask your vet before adding a new food to a puppy's diet.
Can dogs eat salmon skin?
The sources we read do not give advice on salmon skin, so we cannot say. Plain, boneless, cooked salmon meat is the clearly supported choice. Ask your vet if you want to share the skin.
Is salmon in dog food okay?
The AKC says dog food made with salmon is fine as a regular source of protein. Prepared fillets from your kitchen should only be an occasional extra.
Does freezing salmon make it safe to eat raw?
The Merck Veterinary Manual does not say that freezing prevents salmon poisoning disease. It says the only way to prevent it is to keep dogs from eating raw or undercooked fish.