Can Dogs Eat Tuna?
4-minute read · Loyal Saints Food Safety Library
Quick answer
In moderation — small amounts of plain, cooked tuna (or tuna canned in water, no salt) are safe for dogs, but tuna is higher in mercury than smaller fish, so it should be an occasional treat, not a regular food. Never feed tuna in oil, brine, or with seasoning.
Tuna isn't toxic to dogs, and small amounts of plain cooked tuna or tuna canned in water provide protein and omega-3s. However, tuna is a large, long-lived fish that accumulates more mercury than small fish like sardines, so it should be limited to an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple — regular tuna feeding risks mercury buildup over time.
If you offer tuna, choose plain cooked tuna or tuna canned in water (not oil or brine), with no added salt or seasoning. Skip flavored tuna pouches and anything with onion or garlic. For a regular fish in the diet, lower-mercury options like sardines or salmon are better choices.
Key points
Verdict
Safe occasionally — limit due to mercury.
Benefits
Protein and omega-3s.
How to serve
Plain cooked, or canned in water, no salt; occasional only.
Watch for
Higher mercury than small fish — not a regular food; no oil/brine.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten something potentially harmful, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat tuna?
In moderation — small amounts of plain cooked tuna, or tuna canned in water with no salt, are safe occasionally. But tuna is higher in mercury than smaller fish, so it shouldn't be a regular food. Never feed tuna in oil, brine, or with seasoning.
Is tuna safe for dogs?
Tuna isn't toxic, but it's a large fish that accumulates more mercury than small fish like sardines. Occasional small amounts are fine, but regular tuna feeding risks mercury buildup. For a regular fish, choose lower-mercury sardines or salmon.
How often can dogs eat tuna?
Only occasionally — tuna should be a rare treat, not a staple, because of its higher mercury content. A small amount now and then is fine. For frequent fish, use lower-mercury options.
Can dogs eat canned tuna?
Only plain tuna canned in water with no added salt, in small occasional amounts. Avoid tuna in oil or brine and flavored pouches. Even water-packed tuna should be limited due to mercury.
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