Can Dogs Eat Tuna Salad?
What Ingredients Are In Tuna Salad?
Tuna is the most common ingredient in tuna salad and other seafood. The basic recipe for tuna salad includes ground-up chunks of whole fish.
Cheese: Also called proprietary blend, white cheddar cheese is the main ingredient that gives tuna salad its signature taste and texture. Other components include a variety of cheeses, including processed cheese food.
Tartar sauce: Your dog might not be a fan of the mayonnaise, but tartar sauce is just another way to add flavor to tuna salad, and it also adds texture.
Is There Anything Harmful In Tuna Salad?
The main ingredient in tuna salad is raw tuna fish, which contains trace amounts of mercury. Although it's rare for humans to get sick from the mercury in tuna fish, your dog could get an upset stomach or diarrhea. In some cases, certain types of seafood can cause liver damage. The mercury levels are low and considered safe for humans, but it's still something to consider when you're deciding whether or not your dog can eat tuna salad.
In the second case, some types of fishery bycatch that are usually discarded are slowly finding their way back into our grocery stores and restaurants.
This fishery bycatch can contain toxic chemicals such as DDT, PCBs, flame retardants, and nickel. Many dogs are allergic to these chemicals, and they can cause severe liver damage. It's not rare to see this substance in canned tuna and other types of seafood products.
Mayonnaise can be a concern for dogs because it contains eggs, but this type of oil is well-tolerated by dogs. However, eggs are known to cause allergies in some dogs, so it's always best to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any mayonnaise sandwiches.
How Much Tuna Salad Can Your Dog Have?
The amount of tuna salad you should give your dog depends on its size and weight. If your dog is under 20 pounds, give it no more than one tablespoon of tuna.
Even though the amount is small, make sure it's balanced out with plenty of water. All dogs should have access to plentiful fresh water at all times.
If your dog is between 20 and 50 pounds, you can give it up to two tablespoons. More than 50 pounds and over 80 pounds, give your dog up to one teaspoon.
How Can You Make Tuna Salad More Healthy?
You can make your tuna salad from home on the weekend and freeze it in bags in the freezer. You don't need to worry so much about the mayonnaise because you can substitute it with egg-less mayonnaise, which is just made from a combination of other oils, including olive oil.
You can also use ground turkey instead of tuna for a meat-free option. If you're worried about the oil in tuna salad, you can also take out the mayonnaise and use plain, unsweetened vanilla yogurt instead.
As an alternative, other types of salads might be a healthier option for your dog. For instance, Avocado salad is an excellent option for dogs because it's got lots of healthy fat and protein, making it nutritious.
However, if your dog does not have an allergy to eggs, you can use plain mayonnaise instead of the egg substitute to make it more palatable.
Some people also like to make their salad from scratch, which is another acceptable option for your dog. You can even add shredded chicken breast to give it some variety.
Caesar salad is another great salad that your dog can enjoy but only in moderation. Too much Caesar salad can give your dog digestive issues, such as diarrhea and an upset stomach.
Conclusion:
While tuna salad isn't a problem for dogs, it can be a problem if the ingredients aren't balanced out properly. That's why it's essential to check with your veterinarian before adding tuna salad to your dog's diet.
If you ever decide to feed your dog tuna salad, make sure to keep an eye on them during their mealtime and monitor their behavior and bowel movements afterward.
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