Can Dogs Eat Salmon? By Adrienne Kruzer Adrienne Kruzer Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. She is trained as a Fear Free Certified Professional to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 08/11/25 Reviewed by Amy Fox, DVM Reviewed by Amy Fox, DVM Dr. Fox received her veterinary education at Cornell University and has 15-plus years of experience in the field. She has worked in emergency, shelter, medicine, surgery, and general medicine. Dr. Fox is passionate about client education and making sure pet parents have the most up-to-date, accurate, and accessible information to empower them as caregivers and companions. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board Credit: Solovyova / Getty Images Key Takeaways Salmon is nutritious and can be a beneficial food for dogs due to its protein, vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids.It is important to cook salmon before feeding it to dogs to avoid potential parasites and bacteria found in raw fish.Wild-caught salmon is generally healthier than farm-raised due to lower fat, calorie, and contaminant levels. However, both types contain certain pollutants like mercury, PCB's, and dioxin.While salmon is considered a low-mercury fish, moderation is key as consuming large amounts may lead to health issues due to contaminant exposure. Salmon is a popular fish for humans and is sometimes included in dog food. However, when owners prepare salmon for themselves, they may want to share it with their dogs. It is essential to know if this salmon is safe for dogs to maintain their health and happiness. 5 Common Foods In Your Pantry That Are Not Safe For Your Pets Do Dogs Like Salmon? Salmon and various other fish are popular food options for dogs. It is often included in dog foods due to its beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein content, making it a great alternative to beef and chicken. Most dogs enjoy salmon-based dog food and may also like fresh salmon prepared at home, though preferences can vary. Salmon Nutrition Salmon is not only tasty but also highly nutritious. Three ounces of cooked, farm-raised Atlantic salmon contain over 18 grams of protein, 1900 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, 35 mg of selenium, 200 mg of phosphorus, 2 mcg of vitamin B12, and almost 7 mg of niacin, along with many other nutrients. Salmon offers a well-rounded nutrition profile, supporting systems like the skin, heart, and kidneys. Concerns With Salmon for Dogs Not all types or preparations of salmon are equal, so consider your options before feeding salmon to your dog. Some choices are safer than others. Species of Salmon Salmon species are classified by their wild habitats, resulting in Atlantic or Pacific salmon. All Atlantic salmon available in the US are farm-raised, while five types of Pacific salmon are wild-caught: king (chinook), coho (silver), pink, sockeye (red), and chum (keta). King, coho, and sockeye are best for fresh or cooked consumption, while pink and chum are often used in canning, freezing, and smoking. The salmon species doesn't matter when choosing for your dog. Farm Raised or Wild-Caught Salmon can be wild-caught or farm-raised. Though improvements have been made, farm-raised salmon often have more fat, calories, pollutants, and antibiotic exposure risks compared to wild-caught. Thus, wild-caught salmon is seen as healthier and safer but tends to be pricier. PCB�s, dioxin, and mercury are the main contaminant concerns in both types. Salmon acquire these from feeding in the wild or eating fishmeal on farms, though some farms use soybean-rich diets, resulting in similar contamination levels between farm-raised and wild-caught salmon. Cooked or Raw Raw salmon is often used in sushi and sashimi and since it isn't cooked, live parasites, bacteria, and other organisms may still be present in the flesh. These things can cause problems for both people and dogs that consume uncooked fish so cooked salmon is the safer option. Baking, grilling, and sautéeing salmon are popular methods of cooking. Oil Salmon oil is one type of fish oil available for dogs and contains beneficial fatty acids. Salmon oil is very concentrated salmon so it needs to be purified in order to remove contaminants that can be harmful to a dog otherwise too much oil can be problematic. How Much Salmon Is Too Much? Dogs need a varied diet for balance, except when consuming a formulated dog food. Excessive salmon can cause issues due to contaminants, whether farm-raised or wild-caught. Mercury, PCB's, and dioxin can pose serious risks if ingested in large quantities, but salmon is generally low in mercury. Therefore, salmon-inclusive dog food or eating cooked salmon several times a week is generally safe. If salmon is new to your dog, some vomiting and diarrhea may occur initially, but this usually resolves as they adjust to the new diet. Explore more: Dogs Dog Nutrition & Food What Can Dogs Eat?