Can dogs eat salmon?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17
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The full picture
Cooked salmon is one of the best foods you can give a dog — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high in protein, and excellent for skin, coat, and joint health. It's a common ingredient in premium dog foods for a reason. The critical rule is fully cooked only. Raw or undercooked salmon from the Pacific Northwest can carry a parasite that causes 'salmon poisoning disease' in dogs, which is potentially fatal. UK-sourced salmon has a lower risk but should still be cooked. Remove all bones — salmon bones are small and can lodge in the throat or gut.
Check individual ingredient safety at 247IngredientsCheck.
Risks to watch for
- Salmon poisoning disease from raw fish
- Bones causing injury
- Mercury if fed daily in large amounts
Potential benefits
- High in omega-3 fatty acids
- Excellent protein
- Supports skin and coat health
- Anti-inflammatory
Safe portion size
A palm-sized piece for a medium dog, once or twice a week.
Why cooked-only matters so much
Raw or undercooked salmon (particularly from the Pacific Northwest) can carry a parasite that causes "salmon poisoning disease" in dogs — a genuinely fatal condition if untreated, caused by a bacteria carried by the parasite rather than the fish itself. Thoroughly cooking salmon to at least 63°C/145°F kills both the parasite and the bacteria, which is why "fully cooked only" is a hard rule rather than a mild caution.
Does size or breed matter?
Salmon poisoning disease can affect dogs of any size or breed with equal severity — there's no size-based protection. Bone fragments (from any preparation) are a proportionally bigger obstruction risk for small dogs, which is another reason to use boneless fillets when feeding smaller breeds.