Toxic
Can dogs eat raw salmon and trout? No: dangerous
Dangerous. Raw or undercooked salmon and trout can carry a parasite that causes salmon poisoning, which is often fatal without treatment.
If your dog ate or touched this, call your vet or a pet poison line now
United States
Poison lines in other countries: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, JM, PR, Singapore, Switzerland, TT, VI
Raw salmon and trout and dogs: key facts
What should I do if my dog ate raw salmon and trout?
- Call your vet or a pet poison line now.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
- Tell the vet where the fish came from, especially if it was from the Pacific Northwest.
- Watch for loss of appetite, vomiting or fever over the next week.
Don't
- Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
- Don't wait for signs to appear before calling.
Symptoms to watch for
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea, sometimes bloody
- Fever
- Weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Eye or nose discharge
When signs appear: Usually within a week
Why
A fluke in raw fish from the Pacific Northwest and northern California can carry bacteria that cause salmon poisoning disease. Cooking fish fully kills the parasite.
Sources
Guide reviewed 9 October 2026. Page updated 7 November 2026.
General information from the sources above, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call your vet.