Raw feeders may add fish to their pup’s diet due to its omega-3 benefits; however, it’s important to keep in mind that fish is raw food that may contain pathogens such as bacteria, parasites or heavy metals that could potentially harm his or her health.
Unfortunately, most of these problems can be avoided by properly cooking fish – either steaming, grilling or baking are good options for doing this.
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Parasites
An obvious risk in feeding raw fish to dogs is parasite contamination, particularly with wild-caught wild salmon that have swum upstream to breed. Salmon that have come into contact with Neorickettsia helminthoeca could potentially infect other fish that come into contact with it and could then infected with Salmon Poisoning Disease; this potentially lethal disease causes appetite loss, fever, vomiting and diarrhea that must be addressed quickly or ninety percent of affected dogs will die as a result.
Cooked salmon or haddock provides an effective, low-fat alternative to raw fish for your dog, providing essential protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Be sure to remove all bones prior to serving your fish; otherwise they could pose a choking hazard or puncture the intestines and esophagus if swallowed. Run your fingers through it until all bones have been extracted. You can check by running them under your fingers.
Bacteria
Fish can contain harmful pathogens like bacteria, parasites (flukes and roundworms), and tapeworms; to minimize this risk of these pathogens and protect yourself properly when eating seafood it’s best to cook the fish thoroughly before consumption.
Salmon and trout, which tend to swim upstream, are at greater risk for salmon poisoning disease, caused by Neorickettsia helmonthoeca embedded within Nanophyetus salmincola fluke parasite. This outbreak typically affects coastal streams and rivers in the Pacific Northwest region.
State fish and wildlife officials are warning pet owners against feeding raw fish caught in northern California to their dogs as a means to avoid salmon poisoning disease. Salmon poisoning disease occurs when dogs consume infected Nanophyetus salmincola swimming upstream from wild areas and consume it, potentially causing serious illness or even death without treatment. Blood work can help diagnose this infection through bacteria counts as well as evaluation of hydration levels; subsequent antibiotic and fluid therapies will likely be needed as effective measures against such infections.
Choking Hazard
Small fish bones can easily break off and lodge themselves into your dog’s throat, stomach or intestines causing painful blockages or perforations of organs that can prove hazardous for its health and welfare.
intestinal parasites are also a significant threat. If your dog consumes raw salmon, trout or any anadromous species that is infected with Neorickettsia helminthoeca pathogen, they could develop “salmon poisoning disease”. Within 10 days after eating infected fish they’ll exhibit vomiting and weight loss symptoms.
Feed your dog fish the right way: prepared, deboned fillets without seasonings that could potentially upset their delicate digestive system. Be wary of frying or adding any spices when cooking fish to avoid upsetting its delicate digestive system.
Nutrition
Raw fish offers dogs with essential nutrients for muscle and cognitive health. This includes proteins, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins such as A, D and E. While proteins provide essential amino acids that aid muscle repair, omega fatty acids play a vital role in cognitive performance.
However, it should be remembered that many of these same nutrients can also be found in cooked fish; so, unless your dog suffers from specific allergies, there is no reason to give him raw fish as food.
If you want to give your pup the nutritional benefits of raw fish, make sure that it comes from a local and responsible-raised source. This will ensure proper handling and cooking to prevent parasites and bacterial infection as well as reduce any chances of him eating contaminants such as heavy metals or bones. Furthermore, make sure any shellfish is fully cooked without sharp edges as these could present choking hazards.
