If you make a lot of Japanese food in your kitchen or get sushi takeout, then the smell of that yummy sushi might attract the attention of your dog. And if you’re like most dog owners, then you enjoy sharing your food with your pupper.
Or, more likely than not, your dog got into your dinner and ate some of that sushi before you knew what was happening.
That might have you panicked and wondering if sushi is even safe for dogs to eat.
Can dogs eat sushi? Yes, dogs can have sushi, in moderation and assuming you’ve checked the ingredients.
Luckily sushi is a relatively safe food for dogs in general, though you should not feed your dog a lot of raw fish during the week.
Keep reading to learn more about feeding your dog sushi.
Is Sushi Good For Dogs?
You might be surprised to learn that sushi is not only good for dogs, but it’s a healthy human food that you can feed your pup.
Dogs get the same health benefits from sushi that humans do.
The white and brown rice that is in sushi, similar to jasmine rice, has a lot of fiber, some B vitamins, and it is very easy for dogs to digest.
If the sushi has cooked shrimp in it, then your dog gets healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and lots of vitamins and minerals like B12 and B3.
Seaweed is another common sushi ingredient that is good for dogs. It’s easy for them to digest and gives their coats a nice shine.
Other common sushi ingredients that are good for dogs include carrots, cucumbers, and mangoes.
How Much Sushi Can You Feed Dogs?
So as you can see, adding some tasty sushi to your dog’s diet can be a healthy addition.
Start by adding a small amount to your pet’s regular food and slowing increasing the amount every other day or so so his digestive tract gets used to the new food.
When feeding your dog sushi, it is important to remember that moderation is the key.
Try to allow your dog to eat sushi no more than once per week, and only let him have one or two sushi rolls so that you don’t overdo it.
The last thing you want to do is give you dog tummy troubles because you let him indulge too much in sushi with you.
And ideally you’re feeding your dog sushi that you made at home so that you know what the ingredients are in it.
Here’s a video on how to make sushi at home for your dog:
Is Sushi Safe for Dogs?
Sometimes sushi rolls have ingredients that dogs should not eat. So, you have to be careful when feeding sushi to your pup.
Ingredients in sushi that should be avoided for dogs include:
- avocado
- raw fish
- tempura
- pickled ginger
- wasabi
- any sauces or spices
In regards to raw fish, the raw fish isn’t toxic to dogs and you can actually let them have a little every now and then.
But raw fish does run the risk of parasites, which is why it’s best for you to avoid giving any raw fish to dogs.
After seeing the list above, you might be thinking – can dogs eat California roll? The answer is no.
You shouldn’t feed your dog any California rolls because the avocado can be toxic when consumed in excess.
Final Word
Sushi provides both humans and dogs many great benefits.
While there are some safety concerns that owners should be aware of, these problems are typically mild and most sushi is not poisonous to dogs.
Just make sure that you check the ingredients so that you don’t accidentally feed your dog sushi with a toxic ingredient.
Or even better, make the sushi at home!
As you can see, the positives certainly outweigh the negatives when it comes to feeding your pet sushi as well as other vegetables and proteins in moderation and as part of a healthy lifestyle.
So the answer to the question, “can dogs eat sushi?” The answer is a dog wagging, four paws up, “yes!”
image: Deposit Photos