Can dogs eat tuna?

Updated 13/04/2024

While tuna sits firmly on our plates alongside other 'people foods', whether it's safe to feed to your furry friend is certainly some room-splitting food for thought. So is there a straight answer to the question - can dogs eat tuna? Unfortunately it’s not quite that simple - that's why we'll be weighing it up for you here, reviewing the risks around feeding dogs tuna, and why many would advise keeping it off the canine menu altogether.  

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Is tuna poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat tuna in small amounts, or does the risk of mercury poisoning in dogs mean the fish should never make up part of your dog's diet? Well luckily for your furry friend, tuna itself isn't poisonous to dogs, making it safe for them in small amounts. Rather, it's the mercury that's found in the fish that's poisonous to dogs, and if consumed in large quantities, or too regularly, it could cause a variety of nasty symptoms (and even death). Below, we'll look at why tuna is considered bad for dogs, plus the symptoms of mercury poisoning in dogs.      

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Why is tuna bad for dogs?

So, can dogs eat tuna fish in any way, or is tuna bad for dogs full stop? Well it's a tricky one - tuna is found in many dog foods, so is considered safe in small amounts by many pet food retailers. If you're thinking about adding tuna into your dog's diet, the best way would be to opt for a dog food where the amount of tuna has been carefully considered by professionals.

But as we've mentioned, tuna contains high amounts of mercury, which is a metal that's toxic to dogs if enough is consumed. The gray area when it comes to dogs and tuna though is how much is safe for dogs to consume, before the risk of mercury poisoning becomes too high. And because of the lack of research on this, the American Kennel Club doesn't recommend feeding your pup any tuna at all, for the risk of overconsumption and in turn, mercury poisoning.    

If you do want to feed tuna to your dog, only give them small amounts at a time, and not regularly. Opt for tuna that’s canned in freshwater, rather than oil or salt-water, and check for any bones.    

Can dogs eat canned tuna?

Can dogs eat tuna in water or oil that's canned?  Does cooking the tuna reduce the mercury present? Well unfortunately, cooking the tuna (or buying pre-cooked from a can) doesn't reduce the mercury content, so consider another protein source for your pooch.

Can dogs eat raw tuna?

And is tuna okay for dogs if it's from a special cut of the fish and served raw? Well aside from the bacteria present in raw fish that could result in food poisoning, mercury is distributed throughout the tuna fish, so the cut you opt for really doesn't make a difference to the levels of the metal found.  

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What to do if your dog eats tuna

Unlike other 'people foods' (like onion and garlic), a small amount of tuna won't immediately poison your furry friend. So, if your pup somehow manages to nab the contents of a can off the kitchen side, don't panic. Just be sure to monitor their symptoms for any stomach upset and keep the tuna out of paw's reach next time.   

Symptoms of mercury poisoning in dogs

So, now we've reviewed the question - can dogs eat tuna - it's worth getting clued-up on the symptoms of mercury poisoning in dogs, just in case tuna is something you once shared with your pup regularly. And of course, if you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, you should contact your vet immediately.

• Loss of sight.
• Diarrhea.
• Blood in stool.
• Lack of coordination.
• Vomiting blood.
• Tremors. 
• Hair loss.
• Abdominal pain.
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Other tuna products

 So, now you’ve been given the facts, hopefully you've decided on your own opinion on the question - can dogs have tuna. One thing we haven't mentioned though is tuna cooked into dishes we humans enjoy regularly. Well unfortunately for your furry friend, combining the cooked tuna with other ingredients doesn't reduce the mercury levels.    

Other foods that aren't safe for dogs

Now we know that dogs and tuna aren't exactly a match made in pup heaven, why not get clued-up on the other foods dogs can't eat?

• Garlic
• Almonds
• Pork bones

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Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community.