Can pets eat raw fish?
By animal
| Animal | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Risky | Same thiaminase issue, plus parasite risk in raw salmon from the Pacific north-west. |
| Cats | Risky | Some raw fish contains thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B1 and can cause neurological disease. |
What it actually does
Several fish species — carp, herring and others — contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine. A cat fed largely on raw fish can develop thiamine deficiency, which causes neurological signs and is well documented. Cooking destroys the enzyme. Separately, raw salmon and trout from the Pacific north-west can carry a fluke that transmits Neorickettsia, causing salmon poisoning disease in dogs, which is often fatal untreated.
No reliable dose threshold has been published for this. Anything presenting a specific safe amount is extrapolating.
Body weight decides almost everything here, so what is trivial for a 40 kg dog can matter for a 4 kg one, and a bird is smaller again. Where a real published threshold exists this page gives it; where none does, it says so rather than inventing one.
Meat, fish and eggs
| Food | Worst verdict | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooked bones | Not safe | Not safe | Not safe |
| Tuna | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation |
| Bacon, ham and fatty meat | Risky | Risky | Risky |
| Raw egg | Risky | Risky | Risky |
Common questions
- Can dogs eat raw fish?
- Risky — depends on amount or preparation. Same thiaminase issue, plus parasite risk in raw salmon from the Pacific north-west.
- Can cats eat raw fish?
- Risky — depends on amount or preparation. Some raw fish contains thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B1 and can cause neurological disease.
- What does raw fish actually do?
- Several fish species — carp, herring and others — contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine. A cat fed largely on raw fish can develop thiamine deficiency, which causes neurological signs and is well documented. Cooking destroys the enzyme. Separately, raw salmon and trout from the Pacific north-west can carry a fluke that transmits Neorickettsia, causing salmon poisoning disease in dogs, which is often fatal untreated.
Related pages
- Can pets eat cooked bones? Not safe
- Can pets eat tuna? Fine in small amounts
- Can pets eat bacon, ham and fatty meat? Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- Can pets eat raw egg? Risky — depends on amount or preparation
- Can pets eat chocolate? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat onion, garlic, leek and chives? Also an emergency
- Can pets eat xylitol and birch sugar? Also an emergency
- Everything, for dogs 46 foods
- Everything, for cats 46 foods
Sources
- MSD/Merck Veterinary Manual — Merck & Co.