Can dogs eat sushi? Is sushi safe for dogs to eat?

Being a sushi lover, one can't resist enjoying sushi rolls dipped in the spicy sauce every time you crave for a mouth-watering meal. Your dog might be tempted to this yummy seafood hand roll, but wait; can you share sushi with your dog? Sushi is a healthy food made with raw seafood, mostly fish, white on brown rice with seasoning served as hand rolls. Sushi is not safe for dogs because it contains raw fish, a source of harmful bacteria or parasites. Sharing sushi rolls with your dog can cause digestive problems. Let's discuss whether a dog can eat sushi or not and if it can eat sushi, then how much is safe for your dog to eat.

Is raw fish safe for dogs to eat?

Being a responsible dog owner, you must avoid feeding raw fish to your dog because it has a higher risk of bacteria and parasites. The good idea is to serve cooked fish without seasoning and spices to your dog to get maximum health benefits. If you are thinking about sushi, salmon, tuna, or sardines, then serving these raw fish can be life-threatening for your dog. However, you can go for seaweed named 'nori' which is safe for dogs to eat.

Can dogs eat sushi?

Yes, a dog can enjoy sushi in moderation containing dog-friendly ingredients. Raw fish in sushi has a risk of parasites and is not safe for dogs with weak immune systems. If your dog is a seafood lover, it is better to go for cooked fish like tuna, salmon, or whitefish in moderation. If your pup is begging for sushi, then avoid serving it at any cost because raw fish is highly risky for your dog. The ingredients in sushi rolls make it unsuitable for dogs and can cause complications. A good idea is to prepare sushi at home with cooked fish without seasoning. Keep in mind that you have to serve this homemade sushi in moderation to your dog or simply as an occasional treat.

Health benefits of sushi for dogs:

Sushi is served with vegetables like carrots and cucumbers that are low in calories containing a high amount of vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K, making these crunchy vegetables good for your dog's teeth. Omega 3 fatty acids in fish keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and shiny. Seaweed in sushi contains amino acids that maintain your dog's healthy coat. However, rice in sushi is not the best choice for dogs because it has lots of calories, so sushi is safe and healthy for dogs only when it contains cooked fish and a very small amount of rice without seasoning and spices. So, sushi containing cooked fish is good for your dog's heart health and boosts the metabolism.

Nutritional facts of sushi:

Sushi is a delicious Japanese dish, which every seafood lover enjoys. Before adding this healthy food option to your dog's diet, it is a good idea to look at sushi nutritional facts.

One roll of Sushi (8 pieces) nutritional facts:
Calories	349
Total fat	19g
Cholesterol	17mg
sodium	537mg
potassium	293mg
Total carbohydrates	38g
Proteins	7.8g

What makes sushi bad for dogs?

The ingredients used in sushi are not safe for dogs. People enjoy sushi with spices and seasonings, including onion and garlic. Avoid sushi rolls with too much rice filling because they aren't safe for your diabetic dog. Sushi contains raw fish with a higher risk of infection-causing bacteria and parasites. Sushi roll serving has spicy mayo, pickled ginger, and other ingredients that make sushi unfit for dogs. So, any raw seafood is harmful to your dog.

 

What parasites and bacteria are present in sushi?

Liver flukes belong to the families of parasites present in raw food, especially in improperly cooked fish. People who eat raw fish such as sushi are infected with fish tapeworms causing diarrhea and stomach upset. Apart from that, roundworms also belong to fish-borne parasites present in sushi. When a person eats sushi containing parasitic roundworms, he is likely to get infections causing stomach aches and vomiting. Properly cook the fish for sushi; to avoid infection-causing bacteria and parasites. If you can't resist sushi, it is a good idea to freeze the raw fish for up to -4 what up to 7 days to minimize the risk of getting parasitic infections. Raw fish that contains harmful bacteria such as salmonella has a higher risk of food poisoning. Anyone with a weak immune system will have an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating sushi due to food poisoning caused by salmonella.

 

How much sushi can you feed your dog?

Adding a few pieces of cooked sushi can be a great way to include this healthy food in your dog's diet. If you are serving sushi for the first time, always begin with a small amount to look for any digestive problem. Gradually increase the amount but always remember that moderation is important. Ensure that the sushi is completely cooked without the risk of having bacteria or parasites. Once in a week, plain sushi rolls can be a healthy treat for your dog. If your dog has eaten too much sushi, he will face indigestion, upset stomach, or loose stools.

What is the safe way of feeding sushi to your dog?

When your dog likes eating sushi, and you are purchasing sushi for your dog, then, first of all, look at the ingredients. Always look at the spices or ingredients mentioned that whether they are safe for dogs. Prefer giving homemade sushi in the form of plain rolls served with crunchy vegetables. It is the best way to let your dog enjoy this healthy food. Avoid avocados, tempura, or too much rice in sushi because they are highly caloric.

Are there any types of fish in sushi that are safe for dogs?

Raw fish contains the risk of parasites and bacteria, but if you are willing to serve sushi to your dog, you must look for other safe types of fish for your dog. You can go for mackerel, Squid, Halibut, or bonito for sushi, but these don't guarantee your dog's safety. It is better to avoid raw fish and cook it first if you intend to feed it to your dog.

Is any raw food good for dogs?

Raw food diet for your dog may include raw meat, raw eggs, bones (whole or ground), yogurt, and vegetables. Raw vegetables are more beneficial to dogs than cooked because the nutrients in raw vegetables remain intact and, also they are a great source of antioxidants and enzymes. So, you can safely feed raw vegetables like carrots, spinach, cucumbers, and broccoli to your dog. Make sure you cut these vegetables into small pieces to avoid choking. On the other hand, raw meat and raw eggs contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E-coli that can cause infections damaging your dog's health.

 

My dog accidentally ate sushi. Will it get sick?

Maybe you are not at home, and your dog ate the leftover sushi from your plate, and now you are worried about his health issues. If your dog has a weak immune system, he will likely get sick because of the parasites and bacteria present in leftover sushi rolls. Your dog will experience loose stools and vomiting, which shows that he suffers from intestinal parasites. Immediate veterinary consultation is necessary to get early treatment. Dog owners should keep in mind that one or two rolls once a week can be a healthy treat, but eating sushi rolls all the time can negatively affect your dog's health. Apart from sushi, you can go for healthy alternatives like steamed chicken and veggies without seasoning to feed your dog.

Symptoms your dog has fallen ill from eating sushi:

Always discard the leftover sushi to prevent your dog from eating it. If you are not sure how much leftover sushi your dog has eaten, then, first of all, look for the initial signs of illness. The following symptoms will tell you that your dog has fallen ill after eating sushi.

·       Upset stomach

·       Vomiting

·       Diarrhea

·       Fever

·       Loss of appetite

·       Weakness

·       Excessive drooling

·       Severe drowsiness

·       Seizures

 

These symptoms will tell you that your dog has fallen ill by eating contaminated leftover sushi. It is high time to seek help from your vet to begin timely treatment.

Final words:

A small amount of fresh sushi will cause no harm to your dog. Avoid feeding sushi to your dog containing harmful ingredients. It is better to go for homemade cooked sushi with the right ingredients safe for dogs if you are concerned for your dog's health. Leftover sushi can be fatal for your dog. That's why always discard the leftover sushi to avoid your dog from eating it.