Can dogs eat salmon?

Some raw salmon, trout, and related fish from the Pacific coast of North America carry a small fluke infected with a bacterium-like organism. When a dog eats the raw fish, the organism causes a serious illness. Signs usually appear within about a week and include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, lack of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes.

Dogs that fish in rivers or raid anglers' catches are most at risk. Cooking kills the fluke.

Cold-smoked salmon and lox are cured with salt and never cooked, so they combine a high salt level with raw fish. A small strip is unlikely to harm most dogs, but it is not a food to offer. Hot-smoked salmon is cooked but still very salty.

Salmon skin from a plain baked fillet is fine in small amounts; it is fatty, so do not give a whole side's worth.

Bake or poach a fillet with no oil, butter, lemon, or herbs until it flakes easily, then check carefully for pin bones with your fingers. For a 15 kg (33 lb) dog, 30 to 40 g (about 1 oz) is a sensible portion once or twice a week.

Canned salmon is convenient; the small bones are softened by the canning process, but choose varieties with no added salt.

Fish oil is often added to dog diets for skin and joint support. Dosing depends on your dog's size and health, and too much can cause loose stools or affect blood clotting, so ask your vet before adding a supplement rather than pouring it in freely.