Overview
Yes. Fish meal is a safe and nutritious food source for dogs. Stabilizing antioxidants must be added to prevent rancidity of fish meal. Consuming low-quality fish meal creates potential risks from heavy metals and toxins.
Can dogs eat Fish Meal?
Benefits
- Fish meal are rendered or dried whole fish or discarded parts, such as bones and entrails. The resulting product is a highly concentrated powder that’s packed with protein, amino acids, and other nutrients.
- Fish meal is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) which promote skin health and coat condition as well as support brain function. It's also rich in other nutrients, such as choline, biotin, vitamin B12, calcium, and phosphorus.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of fish meal help dogs with joint pains and allergies.
- Fish meal contains highly digestible protein, which makes it easier for dogs to absorb the nutrients.
Risks
- Heavy metals, such as mercury and arsenic, can be present in fish meal when the fish material comes from polluted bodies of water.
- Dogs may experience gastrointestinal problems when fish meal is introduced too quickly.
Servings
- Since fish meal is highly concentrated, it is not recommended for homemade formulation. It requires precise measurements to balance it with other ingredients.
- Choose commercial dog food with stabilized fish meal, particularly preserved with natural antioxidants to prevent rancidity.
- Avoid pet foods that don’t disclose the actual fish species used in making the fish meal. Generic labeling indicates that lower-grade fish meal is made from an assortment of fish species of unknown origins.
