If you’re looking for a healthy supplement to your huskies diet you may have already considered fish, but can huskies eat fish or is it unsafe?
Huskies can eat fish, but it should be cooked and any bones removed beforehand. Fish is a great supplement to a husky diet as it provides lots of protein and essential vitamins.
Not all types of fish are the same, however, and certain types should be avoided.
Keep reading to learn which types of fish you should feed your husky, and how to prepare it so it is safe.
Contents
What Are The Benefits Of Fish For Huskies?
Fish is one of the healthiest types of food you can eat, and there is a reason why it is found in so many commercial dog foods.
Fish is packed full of important nutrients and vitamins:
- High in protein – Huskies need a high-protein diet to maintain their active lifestyles, so fish is a great option as it has a lot of protein per serving.
- Omega-3 fatty acids – Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids provide a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs, which can be beneficial for huskies, particularly as they can be prone to conditions like arthritis in old age.
- Collagen – Fish skin contains collagen, which aids in bone and skin health.
Another benefit of fish is that it is quite low-calorie, which means you can feed your husky a fairly large portion without feeling guilty.
Types Of Fish That Are Safe For Huskies
You might think that all fish is safe for huskies, but some types are better than others. Younger fish tend to be healthier as they contain fewer parasites and mercury.
If you want to feed your husky fish, the options in the list below are great as they are generally lower in parasitic and toxin (mercury) content:
- Salmon
- Whitefish
- Herring
- Whiting
- Tilapia
- Sardines (in water)
Types Of Fish To Avoid
Most types of fish are perfectly safe for huskies, assuming they have been prepared correctly, but certain types are more prone to containing potentially harmful parasites and toxins.
Mercury, for example, is taken up by fish as they feed and accumulate in the body. Fish that are older when they are harvested have had more time to accumulate mercury, as well as parasites, and should be avoided.
Here are a few examples of high-mercury fish that should be avoided in high quantities:
- Swordfish
- Tuna
- King mackerel
- Cod
You can still feed your husky these types of fish, but you should take the same care as you would with a human and not offer it all the time.
Offering these types of fish once or twice per week in smaller amounts is a great starting point.
How To Feed Fish To Your Husky
There are two scenarios where you should feed your husky fish; the first is if your veterinarian advises it due to an allergy or to supplement their nutrition, or if you simply want to give them something new and healthy to eat.
Under Veterinarian Guidance
Before we get into feeding your husky fish as part of a balanced diet, it’s important to know that your veterinarian may prescribe fish if your husky suffers from other food allergies.
Food allergies can be quite common amongst huskies, particularly for proteins like chicken or beef.
If your husky is suffering from these allergies then fish can be added into the diet, sometimes daily, to make sure your husky is still getting enough protein.
This should always be done under the supervision of a veterinarian, and we recommend speaking to your veterinarian first about introducing fish into your huskies diet before you do to make sure there are no allergy issues.
As A Supplement To A Regular Diet
Your husky doesn’t have to be allergic to other proteins in order for you to feed them fish from time to time – sometimes it is just a nice alternative to offer that your husky enjoys.
Before you start offering fish regularly, you should first give them a small amount of healthy fish like salmon or whitefish to make sure they aren’t allergic.
Fish allergies are very rare for huskies, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. The symptoms of allergies in huskies include itchy skin, paws and ears or digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting.
Once you know they are safe to eat fish, you can introduce it several times per week with meals or as a treat. Opt for the healthy options listed above and your husky will benefit from the nutrients greatly.
Preparing Fish For Your Husky
All fish needs to be prepared before you feed it to your husky, except niche cases like tuna or sardines that can be fed directly.
We always recommend taking any bones out of fish before you feed it to your husky. Bones are often sharp and can cause damage if chewed or swallowed.
You should also always cook any fish before you feed it to your husky.
Raw fish has a higher chance of carrying harmful bacteria like salmonella and listeria, which can be harmful not only to your husky but also to other people in the house.
How Much Fish Should Huskies Eat?
Huskies are great at only eating what they want, rather than finishing all the food just because it’s there.
This means you can add small amounts of fish to their usual meals and they will only eat what they want. It’s recommended to offer fish several times per week due to the health benefits.
In Summary
Fish is a great choice of food for huskies because of its nutritional content.
As long as you don’t offer fish regularly that is potentially high in mercury or parasites like tuna you should have no problems. You also need to be careful for bones, and always make sure to cook any fish before offering it to your husky.
Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your husky’s diet.
Want to learn about other husky snacks? Check out some of our other articles below for some quick and easy foods you can give your husky:
