Can Dogs Eat Fish Sauce?

Picture this; it’s a hot day, you’re out for a run, and you stop to rest in the shade.

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You pull out your water bottle and take a big gulp, only to realize too late that it’s not water — it’s fish sauce!

If you’re like most people, your first reaction is probably something along the lines of “gross!”

But if you have a dog, your next thought is probably “can my dog eat this?”

Yes, sparingly.

Fish is a great source of protein and fat, but this vitamin-rich food can be dangerous if not prepared correctly or in large amounts.

Dogs are extremely sensitive to metallic tin, found in some types of fish sauce.

If your dog ingests enough tin from fish sauce, he may develop serious health problems.

The benefits of fish are numerous and well documented.

This article is not meant to dissuade you from feeding your dog fish.

In fact, we believe that fish can be a great addition to your dog’s diet.

However, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers of fish sauce before feeding it to your pup.

Do dogs like fish sauce?

Yes, dogs love the salty flavor and pungent aroma of fish sauce.

As a dog owner, you may want to use fish sauce to flavor some bland food and watch how your pet will enjoy it.

However, offer fish sauce cautiously thanks to its tendency to high salt levels that can harm your canine companion.

The benefits of fish sauce for dogs

Fish sauce is high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
The fermentation process used to produce fish sauce helps break down the proteins in the fish, which means that your dog can digest it more easily than if you were to feed him raw fish or cooked fish.
Fish sauce is full of vitamins and minerals that are good for dogs’ health, including vitamin A and zinc. These also help reduce inflammations, improve neural development and promote a healthy coat.
Fish is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for cell growth and development.

How to feed your dog fish sauce

Fresh fish – While preparing the fish sauce, make sure the fish used is fresh or properly stored. Stale fish sauce can cause stomach upsets and abdominal discomforts in dogs.
Fish in food – Occasionally mix some fish sauce in your dog’s food and watch how a fussy eater will gobble up the meal.
Fewer additives – Choose fish sauce with fewer or no additives (nearly impossible with store-bought sauce). Avoid preserved fish sauce since it’s loaded with many sugars not recommended for your furry friend. Opt for low-sodium turkey ham; although plain, your dogs will enjoy the meaty aspects without any extra dangers.
Moderation – Although fish is beneficial to canines, too much is dangerous. Fish sauce, in particular, is fermented, meaning it contains increased salts. If consumed in large amounts could lead to sodium poisoning or other related complications.

How much fish sauce can a dog eat?

The amount of salt in fish sauce depends on the type of fish used to make it.

Most types of fish sauce contain between 25% and 35% salt, so it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding whether or not you should give your dog any food containing fish sauce at all!

How much is too much? Well, for dogs, it’s about 10 grams of salt per kilogram of body weight.

So, if your dog weighs 20 kg (44 lbs), he can safely consume 200 grams (7 oz) of fish sauce without any health complications.

What are the risks of feeding your dog fish sauce?

High sodium levels

Fish sauce is high in sodium, which can cause dehydration and other health problems if your pup eats too much at once.

This increases their risk of developing hypertension, a condition that causes blood pressure to rise above normal levels leading to heart failure if left untreated.

High pollutants

Fish contains toxins and heavy metals like mercury which are unsafe for your dog.

This could lead to mercury poisoning, resulting in mild symptoms like diarrhea and restlessness.

Severe signs include; blood vomits, incoordination, and kidney damage.

Can fish sauce make dogs sick?

Yes.

If your dog overeats fish sauce, it can get sodium poisoning due to the high salt levels.

Fish sauce with added preservatives and sugars poses a higher risk to your dog’s health.

The severity depends on the amount they took, dog size, and their preexisting medical condition.

Sodium poisoning manifests in reduced appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy.

Make sure they take plenty of fresh water frequently to avoid severe dehydration and worsening the situation.

What happens if my dog ingests too much fish sauce?

First, find out the amount they consumed.

If your dog ingests a small amount of fish sauce, they will be fine; no reason to panic.

Closely monitor them for stomach upset, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Contact your vet immediately once they show these signs.

If your puppy eats large amounts, it might develop neurologic and gastrointestinal issues from the sodium in fish sauce.

Observe these signs, decreased appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

The signs may develop from mild to chronic within a short period and require immediate vet attention.

The healthy alternatives to fish sauce

Plain chicken or turkey broth
Cranberries massed up the sauce
Pumpkin and squash sauce
Coconut aminos sauce
Soy sauce
Gluten-free tamari sauce
Fresh seaweed sauce

Can dogs eat any type of sauce?

Yes, dogs eat any type of sauce provided it’s made with dog-safe ingredients.
Sauces like tomato, ketchup, soups, and juices are filled with artificial flavors, salts, and sugars, making them hazardous for dogs.
These sauces are less harmful in small amounts but can be problematic in large quantities, depending on your dog’s health status.

Conclusion

While dogs would love to lap up every sauce on our plates, not all of them are safe for their consumption.

Fish sauce is one such example – it’s high in salt and pollutants which could pose health risks to your furry friend.

Feed fish sauce to your dog only occasionally, in small quantities, and under close supervision to avoid any complications.

If you have any concerns, speak to your veterinarian before adding fish sauce – or any other new food – to your dog’s diet.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.