Read what a veterinarian has to say about feeding a dog a fish-based diet.
Like many devoted dog owners, you may be wondering if a fish-based diet is a good idea or healthy for your beloved furry pet.
Here is what a veterinarian has to say about a fish-based diet for dogs:
“As long as your dog isn’t allergic to fish, then offering a well-balanced diet based on fish can be fine,” says Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc, chief veterinary officer with NationwideDVM, a pet insurer company.
What kind of fish is the best choice?
When it comes to choosing which fish, exactly, to offer, Dr. Benson has some suggestions:
“Salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and other oily fishes are ideal, as they have high levels of healthy omega-3 and omega-6 acids,” he says.
This means that if you stop by your local fishmonger to pick up some fresh salmon for your family, why not also pick up some extra filets for your dog?
But before you do so, Dr. Benson advises that anyone wishing to add fresh fishes to their four-legged family member’s diet should discuss this with their veterinarian before “diving in” – literally!
“Look for wild and freshly caught fish, rather than farm-raised, when possible,” says Dr. Benson.
Wild-caught fish are generally considered better than farm-raised due to their natural diet and environment, which often result in leaner meat and higher omega-3 levels.
They’re also less likely to contain antibiotics, artificial feed or contaminants common in some aquaculture systems.
Additionally, wild fish typically have a lower risk of disease and may offer superior flavor — even though, that last point may not make a difference to your dog, being that dogs love any kind of fish!
If you are currently not buying wild-caught salmon due to its price, then you can feed your dog albacore tuna (water-packed in a can), fresh sardines or cod.
While fish might seem like an expensive entrée for a pet, serving it properly could actually help improve the health of some dogs.
“Fish-protein based diets are often used for pets that have allergies to one of the main three proteins (chicken, pork or beef),” says Dr. Benson.
With your veterinarian’s approval, you can feel good about feeding your dog a fish-based regimen.
