Meat and fish
What meat and fish can dogs eat?
Meat is the base of a dog diet, and it still has rules: raw versus cooked, bones, fat and parasites.
At a glance
| Food | Verdict | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | Yes | Yes, cooked or stewed lean beef is an excellent source of protein for dogs and is one of the most common ingredients in both homemade and commercial dog food. Just avoid fatty cuts, seasoning, and the risks that come with raw meat. |
| Chicken | Yes | Yes, cooked chicken with no skin, bones, or seasoning is one of the best and most digestible protein sources for dogs. Vets commonly recommend it as part of a bland diet for stomach upset too. |
| Fish | Yes | Yes, well-cooked, boneless fish is a healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for dogs. Raw fish and fish bones are not recommended, though, because of the risk of parasites, thiamine deficiency, and injury to the digestive tract. |
| Chicken bones | In moderation | Yes, but only raw chicken bones of an appropriate size, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter into sharp shards that can pierce the throat or gut. |
| Pork | In moderation | Yes, well-cooked lean pork without seasoning is safe for dogs, but raw or undercooked pork, especially from wild boar, must never be fed because of the risk of parasites and transmissible disease. |
| Raw meat | In moderation | Yes, raw meat isn't toxic to dogs and forms the backbone of BARF diets, but it carries a real risk of bacterial contamination such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli, mainly to the people in the household. |
| Salmon | In moderation | Yes, well-cooked, boneless salmon is a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs, but raw or smoked salmon should never be fed because of the risk of a serious infection and its high salt content. |
| Tuna | In moderation | Yes, tuna packed in water can be an occasional treat for dogs in small amounts, but because of its mercury and salt content it shouldn't become a regular part of the diet. |
| Cooked bones | No | No, don't give dogs cooked bones of any kind, whether from chicken, turkey, pork or beef. Cooking makes bones brittle, so they easily splinter into sharp fragments that can injure the oesophagus, stomach or intestines and even cause a fatal blockage. |
In detail
Can dogs eat beef?
Yes, cooked or stewed lean beef is an excellent source of protein for dogs and is one of the most common ingredients in both homemade and commercial dog food. Just avoid fatty cuts, seasoning, and the risks that come with raw meat.
Can dogs eat chicken?
Yes, cooked chicken with no skin, bones, or seasoning is one of the best and most digestible protein sources for dogs. Vets commonly recommend it as part of a bland diet for stomach upset too.
Can dogs eat fish?
Yes, well-cooked, boneless fish is a healthy source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for dogs. Raw fish and fish bones are not recommended, though, because of the risk of parasites, thiamine deficiency, and injury to the digestive tract.
Can dogs eat chicken bones?
Yes, but only raw chicken bones of an appropriate size, never cooked. Cooked bones splinter into sharp shards that can pierce the throat or gut. Even raw bones carry a choking or injury risk, so always supervise your dog while feeding them.
Can dogs eat pork?
Yes, well-cooked lean pork without seasoning is safe for dogs, but raw or undercooked pork, especially from wild boar, must never be fed because of the risk of parasites and transmissible disease.
Can dogs eat raw meat?
Yes, raw meat isn't toxic to dogs and forms the backbone of BARF diets, but it carries a real risk of bacterial contamination such as salmonella, listeria and E. coli, mainly to the people in the household. It calls for a trustworthy source and strict hygiene.
Can dogs eat salmon?
Yes, well-cooked, boneless salmon is a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs, but raw or smoked salmon should never be fed because of the risk of a serious infection and its high salt content.
Can dogs eat tuna?
Yes, tuna packed in water can be an occasional treat for dogs in small amounts, but because of its mercury and salt content it shouldn't become a regular part of the diet.
Can dogs eat cooked bones?
No, don't give dogs cooked bones of any kind, whether from chicken, turkey, pork or beef. Cooking makes bones brittle, so they easily splinter into sharp fragments that can injure the oesophagus, stomach or intestines and even cause a fatal blockage.
Key: Yes, safe · Yes, in moderation · No, better avoided · Dangerous, never.