Can Dogs Eat Tuna?

Tuna is not a good food for dogs, and the AKC says to skip it. Tuna builds up mercury, a metal that can harm the nerves and kidneys over time. One small bite is unlikely to hurt your dog. But tuna should not be a treat or a meal.

Not every source agrees. Some pet sites say a little plain tuna is fine. The AKC says neither canned nor raw tuna is considered safe for dogs. Since there are plenty of safer treats, this guide leans toward skipping it.

Why is tuna a problem for dogs?

Mercury is the main worry. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that mercury builds up as you move up the food chain, so big predator fish carry the most. Tuna is one of them. The AKC says fresh tuna has much more mercury than fish like salmon and tilapia, and that dogs are more sensitive to mercury than people.

The FDA tested mercury in tuna. These are the averages in parts per million:

Type of tuna	Mercury (ppm)
Canned light	0.126
Canned albacore (white)	0.350
Fresh or frozen, all kinds	0.386
Fresh or frozen bigeye	0.689

Canned light tuna has the least. None of these numbers is a safe amount for dogs. We found no veterinary source that gives one.

What happens if a dog gets too much mercury?

Merck says that in dogs, mercury poisoning affects the nervous system. Signs include blindness, trouble walking, tremors, and strange behavior. Later signs can include seizures and paralysis. Merck also says the nerve and kidney damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. The AKC adds hair loss, vomiting, and diarrhea to the list.

Mercury builds up over time, so the risk comes from eating tuna again and again, not from one snack.

What if my dog ate a little tuna?

Don’t panic. The AKC says a tiny amount will not cause mercury poisoning. Watch your dog for vomiting or diarrhea. Call your vet if your dog ate a lot, ate it more than once, or seems sick.

Other kinds of tuna

Can dogs eat canned tuna?

Canned tuna is not a good choice. The AKC says canned tuna can have added salt or preservatives that are not meant for dogs. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. If a bite slips through, plain light tuna in water has the least mercury. Skip tuna in brine and tuna in flavored sauces.

Can dogs eat cooked tuna?

Cooking does not remove mercury. A cooked tuna steak has about as much mercury as fresh tuna, based on the FDA numbers for fresh and frozen tuna. The AKC does not list cooked tuna as safe. A tiny plain taste is unlikely to hurt, but it is better to pick a cooked fish with less mercury.

Can dogs eat raw tuna?

No. The AKC says raw tuna can carry parasites and bacteria, on top of the mercury. That means sushi and sashimi are not for dogs either.

Can dogs eat tuna salad or tuna with mayo?

Skip it. Tuna salad often has other ingredients added to it. The ASPCA warns that onions and garlic can upset the stomach and damage red blood cells, which can cause anemia (too few red blood cells). It also warns about salty foods. If your dog eats tuna salad with onion or garlic, call your vet.

What can I give my dog instead?

The AKC suggests fish that have less mercury: salmon, whitefish, herring, flounder, and Arctic char. Cook the fish and keep it plain, with no salt, seasoning, or sauces. Check with your vet first if your dog has a health problem.

Whatever you pick, treats should be no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. For more people foods to avoid, see our list of foods that are toxic to dogs. If a cat shares your home, our guide to can cats eat tuna? covers cats.