Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

dogs can eat fully cooked, boneless salmon. It provides omega-3 fatty acids. Never feed raw or undercooked salmon: it can carry a parasite that causes salmon poisoning disease, which can be fatal.

Salmon for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 58 kcal per ounce of cooked salmon
Main benefit	Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for skin and coat
Main risk	Raw or undercooked salmon (especially from the Pacific Northwest) can cause salmon poisoning disease
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much salmon can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One ounce of cooked salmon has about 58 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if salmon were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max salmon per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	0.6 × ounce of cooked salmon
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	1 × ounce of cooked salmon
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	1.5 × ounce of cooked salmon
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	2 × ounce of cooked salmon
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	2.5 × ounce of cooked salmon

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) for skin and coat
High-quality protein
Common ingredient in sensitive-skin dog foods

Risks

Raw or undercooked salmon (especially from the Pacific Northwest) can cause salmon poisoning disease
Small bones can choke or injure
Smoked salmon is very high in salt

How to feed salmon to your dog

Cook thoroughly with no seasoning
Remove all bones and skin
Serve a small portion as a treat or topper

What if my dog ate too much salmon?

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.

Salmon and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have salmon?

Yes, dogs can eat fully cooked, boneless salmon. It provides omega-3 fatty acids. Never feed raw or undercooked salmon: it can carry a parasite that causes salmon poisoning disease, which can be fatal.

What is salmon poisoning disease?

An infection caused by organisms carried by a fluke found in raw salmon and trout. Signs appear within about a week and include vomiting, fever and diarrhea. It is treatable but can be fatal without treatment.

Can dogs eat salmon skin?

Cooked, unseasoned skin in small amounts is okay, but it is fatty. Never feed raw skin.

Can dogs eat canned salmon?

Yes, if it is packed in water with no added salt. Remove larger bones.

Can puppies eat salmon?

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 Salmon?