Oil-packed canned tuna
CautionThe AKC's answer on tuna for dogs is no, because of mercury and because canned tuna carries added salt and preservatives. Oil-packed cans add a fat load on top, and pouring the drained oil over kibble is a classic pancreatitis trigger.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Pancreatitis
- Hunched or prayer-like posture
- Fever
- Increased thirst
More about this food
Canned tuna is one of the easiest things to hand a dog. It is always in the pantry, the dog comes running at the sound of the can, and protein feels harmless. The American Kennel Club's answer to whether dogs can eat tuna is nonetheless no, for two reasons.
The first is mercury. Tuna is long-lived and high on the food chain, so it accumulates far more mercury than shorter-lived species. AKC notes that mercury builds up over time in the fish and that dogs are more sensitive to it because of their size, and it recommends salmon, whitefish, herring, flounder or Arctic char instead. A stolen bite is not going to cause mercury poisoning; a daily spoonful on top of dinner is a different question.
The second is what else is in the can. AKC points out that canned tuna often contains added salt or preservatives that are not meant for dogs. Oil-packed cans add fat to that list, and the most common mistake with them is not the fish at all: it is draining the oil onto the dog's food so nothing goes to waste. That oil is soybean or canola oil, which for a dog is straight fat.
A high-fat meal can trigger pancreatitis. VCA describes pancreatitis as sometimes triggered by a fatty meal, presenting with nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, abdominal pain, diarrhea and decreased appetite. Severely affected dogs take a praying position with the front end down and the hindquarters up, and severe cases can progress to shock and death. Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, overweight dogs and any dog with a prior episode are higher risk.
Tuna salad is its own category. Mayonnaise adds more fat, and the celery-and-onion version adds an Allium, which causes hemolytic anemia in dogs. And the pulled can lid is razor sharp, so press it down into the can and throw it out immediately rather than leaving a dog to lick the rim.
If you want to give tuna at all, use a no-salt-added, water-packed can, drain it well, and give a very small amount occasionally, keeping all treats within 10% of daily calories. If your dog ate a large amount of oil-packed tuna or drank the oil and is now vomiting repeatedly, guarding the abdomen, or hunched in a praying posture, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic now, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I pour the oil from the can over my dog's food?
- No. That oil is soybean or canola oil, which is straight fat for a dog, and high-fat meals can trigger pancreatitis. Pour it off, and if you want to share, use drained no-salt-added water-packed tuna in a small amount instead.
- My dog ate an entire can of tuna in oil. What should I watch for?
- Call your vet with the amount and the time. Watch for repeated vomiting, a tense or painful belly, a hunched praying posture, and loss of appetite over the next day or two, since those point to pancreatitis. Also confirm the sharp can lid was not swallowed.
- Is water-packed tuna OK every day?
- Not daily. AKC advises against tuna generally because of mercury, and most cans carry added salt. Use a no-salt-added can rarely and in small amounts, and choose cooked salmon or another low-mercury white fish for regular sharing.