Thanks to its low cost and mild taste, tilapia is one of most commonly eaten fish in the United States. Like many other swimming species, it’s a good source of protein, minerals and the omega-3 fatty acids that benefit a dog’s cardiovascular system, joints, and skin.
Can My Dog Eat Tilapia?
Yes. Deboned, thoroughly cooked tilapia makes a nutritious doggy snack and a tasty vehicle for vitamin D, potassium and omega-3s. Because it is farm-raised fish, though, tilapia is likely to be higher in contaminants like cancer-causing PCBs and disease than wild-caught fish. For the healthiest, cleanest tilapia to feed to your dog, look for those with a certification from the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council or the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program.
How Can My Dog Benefit By Eating Tilapia?
Tilapia is a nutritional giant that contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that can help a dog thrive. Like other fish, tilapia is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than beef, pork, chicken or turkey, an unsaturated heart-healthy fat which helps to lower cholesterol and blood pressure and decrease the risk of stroke and heart failure. Tilapia is also packed with selenium, a nutrient linked to the prevention of cancer, heart and thyroid diseases and cognitive decline.
Vitamin B12, which works to maintain the nervous system and support red blood cells, is found in tilapia and so are the building blocks for strong bones: calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and phosphorous. Low in fat and calories, tilapia is an ideal protein source for healthy and overweight dogs, alike.
How Do I Pick The Best Tilapia For My Dog To Eat?
Tilapia, which is native to the Middle East and Africa, is now farmed in more than 80 countries across the globe – and hat’s not necessarily a good thing. Tilapia is attractive to fish farmers because it is an adaptable species that grows quickly and survives well in poor-quality water and overcrowded conditions. Those conditions, though, are also ripe for the spread of diesase and other types of contamination, especially in areas where food regulations are lax.
Much of the tilapia raised in pond farms in places like China and Taiwan, or in open-net pen farms in Colombia, is not sustainable. Production of the fish in these regions has major impacts on the local environment and the ecosystem as a whole. Not all farmed tilapia, however, are raised in these conditions. Tilapia pond farms and raceway farms in Ecuador and Peru, as well as open-net pen farms in Mexico, Honduras and Indonesia and recirculating aquaculture system farms in the U.S. are more sustainable choices and the individuals raised in them are less likely to contain parasites, bacteria and disease.
To select the healthiest tilapia farmed with the fewest negative environmental impacts, look for certifications from the Global Aquaculture Alliance, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program.
How Do I Feed My Dog Tilapia?
Fish, including tilapia, should always be cooked before feeding to your dog. Raw fish is not just less digestible than the cooked stuff, it’s more likely to contain parasites, salmonella or other bacteria. Throughly cooking tilapia kills harmful bacteria, making it far less likely to make your pup sick.
Fish like tilapia should also be completely deboned before feeding to your dog. Because fish bones are sharp and splinter easily, one swallowed they can puncture the intestines or stomach, causing serious health complications. They also have the ability to become lodged in the throat and cause a choking hazard.
While you may be able to find tilapia in whole fish form, preparation is much easier if you choose fresh or frozen fish fillets that have already been deboned. Avoid feeding your dog frozen or pre-cooked tilapia that has already been fried, marinated or bathed in sauce.
When cooking tilapia for your dog, skip the oil, butter, salt and other seasonings or spices. The high fat from oil and butter can upset the canine stomach and some spices, including garlic and onion, are toxic to them. Bake or steam your tilapia to maintain the most healthful nutrients for your dog then break it up into pieces to add to your dog’s commercial or home-cooked diet, or to feed as a treat. Dogs can also eat fish skin when thoroughly cooked and prepared without fat, salt or spices.
How Much Tilapia Can My Dog Eat?
Depending on your dog’s daily diet, tilapia can make an appearance daily, several times a week or as an occasional treat. If you are considering switching your dog from a commercially-available diet to a home-made one, be sure to check with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist about the ratios of protein, carbohydrates, fats and calories that are ideal for your pet, and the sources that will suit their health needs best.
For More Information
We offer a collection of articles on foods that are healthy or dangerous for dogs to eat, covering everything from grains, fruits, and vegetables. You might also be interested in reading “Can My Dog Eat Salmon?“
