PupkeeperCaution
Can dogs eat tuna? Not recommended
Not recommended. Tuna isn't toxic, but it is high in mercury, so a small bite is unlikely to hurt but it shouldn't be a regular treat.
Tuna and dogs: key facts
- Verdict
- Caution · Watch at home
- What it can do
- Vomiting blood, bloody or watery diarrhea, loss of coordination, tremors and hair loss. All 6
- How to serve
- If you share any, offer only a small amount of plain tuna packed in water with no added salt or seasoning, and not often.
- What to do now
- Stay calm; a small bite of tuna is unlikely to cause mercury poisoning. All steps
- Sources
- AKC. Reviewed 9 October 2026.
What should I do if my dog ate tuna?
- Stay calm; a small bite of tuna is unlikely to cause mercury poisoning.
- Keep tuna and tuna cat food out of your dog's reach.
- Call your vet if your dog eats tuna often and shows tremors, poor coordination or bloody diarrhea.
Don't
- Don't make tuna a regular treat.
How to give it safely
If you share any, offer only a small amount of plain tuna packed in water with no added salt or seasoning, and not often.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting blood
- Bloody or watery diarrhea
- Loss of coordination
- Tremors
- Hair loss
- Vision loss
Why
Tuna is a long-lived fish that builds up mercury, and dogs are more sensitive to mercury than people. Canned tuna often has added salt.
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.