Category: vet approved

Salmon is packed full of healthy nutrients and is considered by some to be one of the healthiest protein sources since it provides essential vitamins and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. But what about raw salmon? Is it safe to give your companion a bite of salmon sushi or a taste of your uncooked salmon steak before you throw it on the grill? While cooked salmon is generally fine for dogs, raw salmon can harm your pet since it sometimes contains Neorickettsia helminthoeca, a bacteria that can cause salmon poisoning.¹ Also, raw products sometimes have bones that can get stuck in pets’ digestive tracts.

What Is Salmon Poisoning?

Salmon poisoning is a bacterial infection.² It usually occurs when dogs eat raw or undercooked salmon. But it can also be seen when wolves, dogs, coyotes, and foxes consume raw trout and salamanders, as many of these marine creatures host parasites.

When dogs eat raw salmon, they often ingest parasites such as flatworms, which are sometimes infected with Neorickettsia helminthoeca bacteria. Dogs can become ill if they eat uncooked salmon containing Neorickettsia helminthoeca-infested flatworms.

Flatworms attach to dogs’ intestines, and the bacteria are then released into dogs’ bloodstreams. Black bears and foxes can also become ill from ingesting infected raw marine products, but the bacteria usually only cause gastrointestinal upset in humans.

Signs don’t usually show up immediately— it can take up to a week for dogs to become ill after eating infested raw fish. Common signs of salmon poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, tremors, and weakness. Without treatment, the infection can result in death within a few weeks.³

Veterinarians diagnose salmon poisoning based on a physical exam, blood tests, and sometimes lymph node biopsies. Treatment usually involves supportive care and antibiotics, and most dogs recover and do just fine if treatment begins early enough.

Is Cooked Salmon OK?

Cooked salmon is a great canine treat, as it’s relatively low in calories and fat but packed full of protein and essential B vitamins. It also has omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for optimal canine skin and coat health. Dogs can eat cooked salmon as long as it’s prepared with canine dietary needs in mind; it should have no extra fat, salt, or seasonings. To eliminate the chance of a bacterial infection, cook it until the salmon’s internal temperature reaches 145ºF. Make sure to remove all the bones before giving any fish product to your dog, and limit your pet’s treats, store-bought and homemade, to around 10% of their diet to prevent unintended weight gain.

What About Canned Salmon?

Canned salmon packed in water is acceptable as an occasional treat. It even provides many of the same health benefits as fresh salmon, including omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. However, you should avoid products packed in oil or brine. Oil-packed salmon often has too much fat for dogs, and briny choices are loaded with salt.

So Can I Feed My Dog Cooked Salmon for Meals?

Dogs are healthiest when eating a balanced diet designed with their specific needs for fat, protein, and select nutrients in mind. Commercial dog food that adheres to the guidelines established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials is designed to meet general canine nutritional requirements and is usually the easiest way to ensure your pet is getting the right nutrients.

Why Can’t I Share My Cooked Salmon With My Dog?

Dishes destined for human consumption frequently feature ingredients such as garlic and onions that can be toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Keeping pets away from human foods drastically lowers the chance of spending a weekend afternoon worrying about whether you need to call the emergency poison control number because your pet ate a bowl of salmon stew.

Dogs that snack on food prepared with human tastes in mind often consume too many calories, which can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Canine obesity is one of the most common preventable diseases. Around 40– 45% of North American dogs between 5–11 years old are overweight. While a bit of extra weight may not appear to be a big deal, it is a troubling health issue since overweight dogs are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Some research suggests that overweight dogs have shorter lifespans than pets whose weights remain within appropriate ranges for their breed, size, and age.

Conclusion

Dogs shouldn’t eat raw salmon since it can lead to a dangerous bacterial infection that can be fatal if not appropriately treated. But cooked salmon is a totally different ballgame. It’s packed full of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants and makes a fantastic canine treat. Just make sure the fish you give your dog has been thoroughly cooked and deboned. Canned salmon packed in water is a convenient option, but try to limit your dog’s treats to around 10% of its diet to ensure it maintains a healthy weight.

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterbug75, Pixabay

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It’s always tempting to give our dogs some people food every once in a while. (And it has nothing to do with those begging puppy dog eyes, we swear!). But if you want to give your four-legged friend a bite of something from your plate, you need to know whether it’s actually safe. Many people foods are toxic to our pets, so avoiding giving yours the wrong one is essential.

One food item our dogs may want from our plate is catfish. But can they eat it, and is it safe? The answer is yes, and yes, so long as it’s properly cooked and deboned!¹ In fact, catfish actually provides our pups with some nutritional benefits, making it a healthier treat. What kind of nutritional benefits does catfish offer? Keep reading to find out!

Why Is Catfish Good for Dogs?

Fish is a healthy addition to almost anyone’s diet, and our canines are no exception.² The biggest health benefit catfish has to offer our pups is omega-3 fatty acids. Catfish is extremely rich in these fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and keep a dog’s heart, eyes, and brain healthy. These omega-3 fatty acids can also aid in keeping pups at a healthy weight and keep coats looking shiny.

Catfish also provides lean protein, which makes it an excellent alternative to red meat. This protein also aids in cell repair and growth. Plus, catfish has tons of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B12, and C, iron, and calcium, all of which are vital to keeping the immune system working well.

Finally, catfish is low in mercury, so it’s less liable to cause mercury poisoning.³

What Are the Dangers of Feeding Catfish to Dogs?

Feeding your dog catfish doesn’t come with many dangers, but there are a couple. However, these dangers mostly come from giving your pet raw fish instead of cooked fish. Although your pet might enjoy raw fish, feeding it this runs the risk of infecting it with parasites or bacteria, like salmonella. Something such as salmonella poisoning can cause severe gastrointestinal distress in your pup and is transmissible to humans.

Not cooking fish also makes it more difficult to remove the bones, and you need to get rid of bones before giving fish to your dog. Fish bones may be small, but they’re still sharp and capable of getting lodged in your pet’s mouth, stomach or throat, resulting in a visit to the vet.

If you feel like feeding your pup actual catfish isn’t worth it, you can find dog foods that have catfish in them.

Conclusion

Occasionally, you want to give your favorite canine a treat in the form of food off your plate, and as long as that food is safe, it’s absolutely fine to do so. Catfish is one of the better people foods you can give your pup as it provides them with several health benefits in the form of omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. However, you need to ensure that any catfish you feed your dog is well-cooked and has been deboned, as eating raw catfish could make your pup sick, while bones could become lodged in the mouth or throat.

Overall, though, as long as you keep in mind that any people foods—even the healthier ones—should be given to animals sparingly, your dog can enjoy a fishy treat now and then!

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Featured Image Credit: furbymama, Pixabay

The post Can Dogs Eat Catfish? Learn if It Is Safe for Them! appeared first on Pet Keen.

Dogs like it when we share our food, which can have us continuously wondering if different foods are safe for them. A common item that people wonder about is ranch. Unfortunately, you should try to keep your dog away from ranch dressing for several reasons. Keep reading as we discuss ranch’s ingredients, possible dangers, and more to help you be better informed.

Is Ranch Bad for My Dog?

Onions and Garlic

Two popular ingredients in many ranch recipes are garlic and onions, and both belong to the allium family.¹ Unfortunately, while safe for humans, these plants can lead to the breakdown of red blood cells, resulting in anemia. It only takes a small amount before your pet starts showing signs like lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and reddish urine. The powdered form of the vegetable is concentrated and even more dangerous, so it is best to avoid giving your dog foods containing garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives, or any other plant in the allium family.

Dairy

Ranch contains buttermilk, which can cause problems for dogs that are sensitive to dairy. Your dog will suffer from many of the same effects that a lactose-intolerant human would, including diarrhea and stomach cramps. If your dog has had problems in the past, it’s best to keep them away from ranch dressing.

Salt

Another ingredient in ranch that isn’t good for dogs is salt. While a small amount won’t hurt them and can even be good for them, too much can be toxic, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and even seizures. A single teaspoon of ranch can have as much as 80 mg of sodium, the daily limit for a 30-pound dog.

Saturated Fats

Ranch also contains mayonnaise, which can add a large amount of saturated fat to your pet’s diet, leading to obesity and other health problems.

Other Additives

Your ranch dressing can contain several other additives that make it dangerous to give to your dog, including artificial colors and preservatives.

Is Ranch Good for Dogs?

There are no nutritional benefits to adding ranch to your pet’s diet.

Can My Dog Have an Allergic Reaction to Ranch Dressing?

Unfortunately, many dogs are lactose intolerant and can have trouble with the buttermilk in ranch. Onions and garlic can also initiate signs of an allergic reaction.

What If My Dog Ate Ranch?

If your dog eats ranch dressing, the first thing to do is determine how much they ate. They will likely be fine if they ate a small amount, but we recommend watching them carefully, and if they start to vomit, call the vet immediately. If your pet ate more than a few teaspoons of ranch, we recommend calling your vet for advice. Keep the bottle handy so you can share the ingredients with the doctor to take the appropriate action.

Can My Dog Eat a Ranch-Flavored Snack?

No, ranch-flavored snacks have many of the same ingredients found in regular ranch, including onion and garlic powders, which are especially dangerous to your dog.

Summary

Unfortunately, ranch can be dangerous for dogs, primarily due to the onion and garlic powders that it might contain. It can also have several other potentially toxic ingredients. If your pet ate a small amount by mistake, keep an eye on them and call the vet if they start vomiting or acting strangely. Call the vet immediately if your dog eats more than a few teaspoons to learn what steps you should take.

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Featured Image Credit: Brent Hofacker, Shutterstock

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