Your best canine friend is always close by, and he or she is hoping for a quick bite of the local smoked salmon you just bought from the market or store, or are currently preparing to put on some freshly warmed bread.
You want to treat your dog, but you want to make sure it’s okay to do so, so you’re wondering if smoked salmon is a good option.
You’re not alone in your curiosity; plenty of dog owners have asked themselves the same thing. However, there are a few things you should know and keep in mind first.
Can Dogs Eat Smoked Salmon?
To answer your question, no, smoked salmon is not safe for dogs to eat. Both the high salt content and the presence of harmful bacteria in smoked salmon pose serious health risks.
Raw or smoked salmon, or any other raw fish fillets, are toxic to dogs. Fresh salmon, especially if it’s uncooked, can be harmful to your dog’s immune system and overall health.
However, if the salmon you feed your dog has been properly deboned and cooked and doesn’t contain any ingredients that could be harmful to his health, your dog will benefit from eating it. The high fat content of fish, however, makes it imperative to watch one’s serving size.
For protein and other nutrients, consider adding cooked salmon to your dog’s diet. Vitamins A and D, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acid are just some of the nutrients found in abundance.
What is smoked salmon?
The practice of smoking salmon, one of several related fish, dates back to the Middle Ages.
In order to prepare the fish for smoking, it is first salted and dried.
The resulting fish is salty and intensely flavorful.
What gives smoked salmon its distinctive flavor is the smoke used to preserve it.
Wood, peat, herbs, or anything else that can be burned will work to create this smoke.
Bluefish, turbot, haddock, kippers, and sable are just a few of the many fish that can be used to make smoked salmon.
Moderation is key when consuming smoked salmon, as it is with any food.
Too much smoked salmon in your dog’s diet can cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, and even an allergic reaction.
To clarify, what is smoked salmon?
What about its safety for canine consumption?
Is smoked salmon good for dogs?
Dogs and humans may not be genetically identical, but they do have similar nutritional requirements.
This includes the requirement for macro and micronutrients like protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc.
As with people, dogs can benefit from this.
However, depending on their age, size, and general health, canine companions have unique nutritional needs.
In this piece, we’ll investigate whether or not feeding your dog smoked salmon is a good idea.
Check out our list of the top 5 foods that dogs should never eat to learn more about what you should keep away from your pet.
What are the benefits of smoked salmon for dogs?
If your dog is a fish lover, you might be tempted to feed him smoked salmon. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you do.
Only a small amount of smoked salmon should be fed to a dog.
While dogs can eat pretty much anything human beings can, eating too much smoked salmon can give them stomach problems and even pancreatitis.
Because of this, you should limit your dog’s exposure to smoked salmon.
Avoid giving him treats altogether if you don’t want to gradually reduce his treat intake.
What you need to know about the pros and cons of giving your dog smoked salmon.
The Health Benefits of Smoked Salmon for Dogs
Salmon that has been smoked makes for a delicious addition to your dog’s diet, adding both flavor and texture.
Keeping your dog’s skin in good condition and reducing inflammation can be accomplished with the help of smoked salmon due to its high omega-3 fatty acid content.
Your dog’s heart will thank you for giving him omega-3s because they reduce bad cholesterol while raising good.
One of the best ways to improve your dog’s health is to smoke salmon for him.
While it is free of potentially dangerous additives like chemicals and preservatives, it is high in unhealthy saturated fat.
Therefore, this is not the best choice if you are on a diet that restricts fatty foods.
Other benefits
Smoked salmon is a great option for pet owners because of its many benefits, not the least of which is its nutritional value.
See also Can Pistachio Pudding Be Fed to Dogs?
It’s easy to prepare
It takes less than 10 minutes to smoke salmon and only 15 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can also be smoked in a smoker while enjoying the great outdoors.
It’s low-cost
Smoking salmon for your dog doesn’t require a hefty investment.
Most supermarkets sell smoked salmon for around $15 per pound, but you can find it for as little as $7 per pound online.
It’s convenient
Wholesale purchases of smoked salmon can be kept for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
You can also serve it at a dinner party if you want to impress your guests with something unique.
Health Risks of Feeding Smoked Salmon to Dogs
Dog owners should avoid giving their pets unhealthy treats like smoked salmon and instead feed them wholesome commercial or homemade dog food. You should think about the potential dangers of feeding smoked salmon to your dog before you do so.
1. Added seasonings can be dangerous
Garlic and onion powder, common seasonings for smoked salmon, are toxic to dogs. Dogs should not eat onions or garlic.
2. Bones can be a choking hazard
Small fish bones can be dangerous for your dog to swallow. These bones can sometimes be found in both raw and smoked salmon and present a choking hazard to your dog.
3. It can cause salt poisoning
When a dog consumes too much salt, they become ill with what is known as sodium poisoning or sodium ion poisoning. Seizures, headaches, and dizziness are all signs of sodium poisoning.
4. It may lead to dehydration
Smoked salmon products contain a high concentration of salt, which can cause dehydration if consumed regularly. Smoked salmon poses additional risks for dogs, including increased panting and water consumption that can lead to bloat if fed to the canine.
5. Smoked salmon can contain dangerous bacteria
Nanophyetus salmincola is a parasite found in smoked salmon that can cause salmon poisoning in dogs by infecting their digestive tracts with the harmful bacteria Neorickettsia helminthoeca.
Salmon poisoning symptoms necessitate a fecalysis, wherein harmful bacteria are identified through examination of the patient’s feces. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics may be necessary to flush out any lingering flukes during treatment.
Though the dangers of eating smoked salmon are reduced in comparison to those of eating raw or undercooked salmon, even tiny amounts of smoked salmon can contain harmful contaminants and bacteria.
Salmon poisoning causes sickness, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and loss of appetite.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Smoked Salmon?
If your dog accidentally ate a small amount of smoked salmon, you probably don’t need to panic like many other dog owners.
A small amount of smoked salmon will have little to no effect on most dogs beyond making them thirstier than usual.
But if your dog were to get into a lot of smoked salmon all at once, you might want to take extra safety measures.
When dogs eat too much smoked salmon, they may experience classic gastrointestinal upset symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or discomfort.
If your dog has recently consumed a large amount of smoked salmon, keep an eye on them for the next 24 to 48 hours to see if they show any signs of illness.
Make sure they have access to plenty of water at all times.
In the event that they show severe or persistent symptoms during this time, it is highly advised that you consult a veterinarian for further instructions.
How much smoked salmon can I give my dog?
Your dog’s age and breed will determine the best course of action.
Dogs under 1 year old should be fed less smoked salmon than older dogs over 2 years old.
In general, your dog’s risk of developing pancreatitis will increase if he or she consumes any food that is high in fat.
The inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and fatigue.
Pancreatitis, despite these relatively mild symptoms, can quickly become fatal if not treated.
However, some dogs have severe reactions to smoked salmon and should not eat it.
In the event that your dog exhibits any of the aforementioned symptoms after consuming smoked salmon, it is imperative that you seek veterinary attention without delay.
Conclusion
We investigated the potential risks of feeding smoked salmon to your dog in this piece.
We also talked about how eating too much smoked salmon can be bad for your health.
While smoked salmon is safe for dogs to eat, we found that due to its high fat content and potentially harmful ingredients, only small amounts should be given to canines.
Give your dog no more than one serving of smoked salmon per day if you do decide to give it this treat.