Fish for a dog – 7 things you should know about them

Are you thinking about enriching your dog’s diet with fish? However, you do not know which to give? We suggest which fish for dogs are the best!

1. Why is it worth it?

Fish is a valuable dog food – primarily as a source of valuable protein. The owners of four-legged allergy sufferers know this, as they reach for fish as if to rescue. However, all dogs will benefit from such ingredients as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, selenium, iodine and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Especially the latter are good for the dog’s immunity and nervous system.

2. Prepared fish foods

On the market you will find a lot of dry and wet balanced fish foods. Lots of eater loves them, but there are also dogs that already reject the smell of fish. If we want to feed the fish with allergies, we should carefully pay attention to the composition, whether, apart from fish, there is, e.g. chicken fat, which may be allergic.

3. Only fresh, never frozen

The fish given to the dog should be fresh. This seems obvious, but we have to add that it is also about freezing fish. After thawing, the fish can be contaminated with bacteria. Just in case it is worth cooking it so that the dog does not get poisoned. Therefore, the cooked fillet (boneless) will be the best.

4. Addition or basis

If there is no need (due to allergies), it is not recommended to base your dog’s diet solely on fish. However, it is definitely worth using treats with fish (or even dried fish) during training, because dogs are crazy about it, and it is very healthy!

5. These fish can be served

For a dog, let’s choose primarily fatty sea fish that have a lot of valuable omega-3 fatty acids. Safe are: salmon, trout, hake, pike, flounder, cod, sole and eel. These species of fish are usually added to feeds.

6. It is better not to give these fish

If we want to serve raw fish, we must watch out for species that contain thiaminase (an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1). Do not serve raw: herring, pollock, mackerel, carp, bream, zander and sprat.

7. Dog allergies to fish

Although fish are often recommended to four-legged allergy sufferers, and for this source of protein some animals are allergic. It is worth knowing when choosing hypoallergenic food – because it may turn out to be a fish ingredient in this seemingly safe allergy food. Then it’s best to introduce an elimination diet by consulting your veterinarian.