Tilapia contains a healthy punch of minerals, proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are fantastic for dog and human health. It has a mild aroma that sets dogs whimpering as they beg for a piece.
Suppose you want to incorporate this aquatic chicken into your dog’s diet. In that case, you need to familiarize yourself with its full health benefits, preparation, the rightful quantity for your dog, and the potential risks.
That’s why we have prepared this guide to answer all questions you may have concerning feeding your dog with Tilapia.
Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog with Tilapia
Tilapia contains more omega-3 fatty acids than chicken, turkey, beef, and pork, which improves skin health and mobility in dogs with stiff or aching joints and skin health.
The other nutritional benefits your dog can get from taking Tilapia include the following:
- Reduced cholesterol and blood pressure levels: Tilapia is high in omega-6 fats, which help to lower blood cholesterol in dogs and humans. Omega 6 fats also help the dog’s body muscles respond to insulin, regulating their blood sugar.
- Improved immune response: Tilapia packs selenium, which enhances the dog’s immune response to diseases. Also, selenium plays a role in the metabolism of thyroid hormones, DNA production, prevention of canine cognitive dysfunction, and protection of dog cells against oxidative damage.
- Improved nervous system and red blood cell production: Tilapia contains vitamin B12, enhancing the dog’s brain and nervous system. Vitamin B12 also helps in the formation of red blood cells in dogs.
- Healthy bones and teeth: Tilapia are rich in magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D, essential for developing healthy bones and teeth in a dog.
How to Pick the Best Tilapia for Your Dog
Though native to Africa, Tilapia is being reared in more than 87 countries across the globe, including Asia and Latin America. The spread of this strain can be attributed to its adaptability to different water ecosystems, including poor quality and overcrowded waters.
While this adaptability is good, it also favors the growth of Tilapia in contaminated and diseased areas, trampling their quality and risking people and dogs of infections.
That said, the only way to choose the best Tilapia is to pick those whose production has been certified by Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Global Aquaculture Alliance, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program.
Which Tilapia Is Best For Your Dog? Raw Or Cooked?
Dogs can eat both raw and cooked fish. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association is against consuming raw or undercooked fish by dogs at any stage of their lives. This is because raw fish may host pathogens like clostridium and listeria, which can risk you and your pup of infections.
For these reasons, you should ensure that any fish your dog eats is thoroughly cooked.
If you must feed your dog raw tilapia, follow the appropriate FDA-approved precautions for preparing raw fish for dogs. Examples of these precautions include:
- Freezing the Tilapia until you are ready to use it
- Thawing the Tilapia in your microwave
- Not letting your dog lick you or any of your surfaces after the meal
- Cleaning any surface that contacts the raw fish thoroughly
- Washing and disinfecting your hands thoroughly after serving your pet with the raw tilapia
- Consulting your vet if your canine develops any stomach complications,etc.
Note: Fish bones are usually very small, delicate, and sharp. They can get lodged in the dog’s mouth, throat, intestines, or stomach. Sometimes, the bones can even perforate the walls around these organs, necessitating an expensive visit to the vet. You need to debone the fish, whether your dog will take it raw or cooked, to keep the animal safe.
How to Prepare Tilapia for Your Dog
Preparing Tilapia depends on whether you use a whole fish or a Tilapia fillet from the fridge. If using a whole fish, you must clean it; remove the fins, the head, and the bones to achieve a smooth fillet for cooking.
If using a Tilapia fillet from the fridge, you will only need to thaw the fillet before cooking.
To cook, you can steam or bake the Tilapia to retain most of its nutrients for your dog. Do not deep fry the fish in oil or fats, as they may upset the canine stomach and cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, vomiting, and pancreatitis, which are linked to excessive consumption of oil and butter.
Also, avoid using salt and spices like onion, garlic, nutmeg, turmeric, etc., during the preparation, as they may trigger problems like constipation, nausea, gallbladder issues, bruising, and dizziness, among others. When done cooking, reduce the fillet into small pieces, and then top it with your dog’s home-cooked food or commercial diet for serving.
Serve the food in a clean and well-dried bowl to avoid passing germs into the dog’s food.
How Much Tilapia Should I Feed To My Dog?
Many factors come into play when determining the amount of Tilapia to give your furry friend. These include the dog’s health, nutritional requirements, age, medical needs, weight, and the recommended food brand.
Considering the above factors, Tilapia may be incorporated as a daily component into the dog’s diet or offered as a dietary supplement or a special treat several days/times a week.
Note: Most commercially prepared dog foods are well balanced in terms of nutrients, and topping fish on the daily diet may risk your canine of obesity.
If you consider incorporating Tilapia as a regular component of your dog’s diet, consult your vet about the right serving sizes for your four-legged friend.
So Can Dogs Eat Tilapia? Is It Safe?
Yes. Tilapia is generally safe for dogs if cleaned, deboned, and cooked without fats, oils, and seasonings. However, sometimes the fish may risk obesity in your dog if given alongside commercial food. That’s why you should always seek a veterinarian’s advice before you engage in the feeding journey.
What Are Other Healthy Fish Alternatives To Tilapia In A Dog’s Diet?
Now that you know Tilapia is safe for dogs, you might be interested to know which other meats you can feed your dog instead of tilapia.
Below are some other types of fish that dogs like.
- Flounder
- Whitefish
- Cod
- Herring
- Whiting
- Salmon
- Catfish
- Light tuna fish (canned)
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to various questions dog owners have asked about feeding Tilapia to dogs:
Can dogs be allergic to tilapia?
Yes, but it rarely happens. The common signs of seafood allergy in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting, bruising, itchy skin, etc. be sure to contact your vet once you spot any of the above signs.
Is boiled fish good for dogs?
Yes. Boiled fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and other proteins, improving the dog’s cardio, skin, and nerve health.
When should you not cook Tilapia?
You should not cook Tilapia when it has gone wrong. The common signs of a raw Tilapia that has gone bad include:
- Slimy texture
- Sour smell
- Opaque color
