Can Dogs Eat Fish? Yes: Safe Amount by Weight

Safe

Yes, dogs can eat fish!

Plain cooked, deboned fish is a healthy treat for dogs. Salmon, cod, whitefish, sardines and tilapia provide lean protein, and oily fish add omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid raw fish, small bones and fried or seasoned fish.

Fish for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	Safe
Calories	About 30 kcal per 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)
Main benefit	Lean, easily digested protein
Main risk	Small bones can lodge in the mouth or throat
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much fish can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod) has about 30 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if fish were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max fish per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	1 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	1.5 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	3 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	4 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	5.5 × 1 oz cooked white fish (such as cod)

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Lean, easily digested protein
Oily fish provide omega-3s for skin, coat and joints
A useful novel protein for some dogs with food allergies

Risks

Small bones can lodge in the mouth or throat
Raw fish can carry parasites; raw salmon from the Pacific Northwest can transmit salmon poisoning disease
High-mercury fish such as swordfish and king mackerel should be avoided

How to feed fish to your dog

Cook plain (baked, steamed or poached)
Remove all bones and skin seasoning
Choose low-mercury fish such as salmon, cod, whitefish or sardines

What if my dog ate too much fish?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Fish and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have fish?

Yes. Plain cooked, deboned fish is a healthy treat for dogs. Salmon, cod, whitefish, sardines and tilapia provide lean protein, and oily fish add omega-3 fatty acids. Avoid raw fish, small bones and fried or seasoned fish.

Can dogs eat fish skin?

Plain cooked fish skin is fine in small amounts. Fried or heavily salted skin is not.

Can dogs eat fish sticks?

Occasionally, a plain one is unlikely to hurt, but they are breaded, fried and salty. Plain cooked fish is better.

Can dogs eat raw fish?

It is not recommended because of parasites and bacteria. Raw Pacific salmon and trout can cause salmon poisoning disease, which can be fatal.

Can puppies eat fish?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Fish?