Overview
Caution, lionfish can be fed to dogs. Make sure to get rid of its dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins which contain venom. If any of them penetrates dogs’ flesh, it can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reaction.
Can dogs eat Lionfish?
Benefits
- Lionfish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which promote heart and brain health.
- Lionfish has lean proteins and relatively lower mercury levels compared to other similar types of fish.
Risks
- Lionfish is not poisonous, but it's venomous. Its dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins contain venom, which can cause pain, swelling, and allergic reaction when not handled properly. Unless the lionfish's venomous spines penetrate the flesh of the dog, the dog is safe.
- Some reef fish, such as lionfish, are contaminated by ciguatoxins. Ciguatera poisoning symptoms include diarrhea, head shaking, vomiting, and paralysis.
- Lionfish bones are a choking hazard and can cause gastrointestinal injury.
Servings
- Although cooking the lionfish properly at over 350F degrees neutralizes the venom, and your dog should be fine if he has a small bite of it, it is not recommended due to the risk of ciguatera poisoning.
- Do not give lionfish intestines, heads, or lionfish roe to your dog as they tend to have more concentrated ciguatoxins.
