Can Dogs Eat Sushi?

Yes, dogs can eat some types of sushi! It all comes down to ingredients, as some sushi ingredients are not suitable for dogs. In this blog post, we will dig deep into different types of sushi and safe ingredients for dogs to find the best options to share!

Table Of Contents

What kind of sushi can dogs eat?
Sushi ingredients that are not that healthy for dogs
Can dogs eat sushi rice?
- Salmon poisoning is quite rare
Debunking – is sushi dangerous for dogs?
FAQs

Now, it’s not that we recommend regular sushi date nights for you and your dog, but there’s nothing alarming and toxic about sushi, even the dangerous salmon poisoning that you probably read online. This is a myth that we want to debunk. Stay tuned.

What kind of sushi can dogs eat?

Dogs can eat sushi with cooked fish, including salmon, shrimp, and white fish. They can also eat sushi with cucumbers and other veggies.

Here’s a breakdown of the safe sushi options:

Cooked fish sushi: Go for rolls made with cooked fish. Think along the lines of salmon, shrimp, or white fish.

Vegetable sushi: Sushi that’s packed with dog-safe veggies like cucumber, carrots, or sweet potato is not just safe but also healthy for dogs. Just double-check that these veggies are free from any seasonings or condiments that could harm your puppy.

Sushi with rice and seaweed: A simple sushi roll containing only rice and seaweed can be a safe choice for your dog, as long as it’s in moderation. While rice and seaweed aren’t harmful, remember that rice is high in carbs and should only be a small part of your dog’s diet.

Sushi ingredients that are not that healthy for dogs

Almost all sushi ingredients are okay and not toxic for dogs, but we need to warn you that you need to stay away from some, especially if you make sushi at home and use avocados.

For example, you’ve probably heard that you should never give your dog avocados, as their leaves, stems, and seeds are toxic for dogs. But that’s the catch – the actual avocado is safe for dogs. So you only need to watch out if you’re making sushi at home so your dog doesn’t snatch the avocado pit! It happened to us once; luckily, our pup was just playing with the pit, and he didn’t try to chew it. Still, we never give him the chance to play with it anymore.

While there’s some truth in the fact that avocados contain small amounts of person (the toxic substance) in the flesh, the main reason they’re bad for dogs is because they’re high in fat. When it comes to the rest of the sushi ingredients, avoid cream cheese, as it’s high in fat, and avoid spices and seasonings, hot mayo, and other sauces, including sweet chili.

Can dogs eat sushi rice?

Yes, dogs can eat sushi rice in moderation. It’s safe for them, but because it’s high in carbohydrates, it shouldn’t make up a large part of their diet. Just a little treat here and there is perfectly fine, especially if you’re going to make them some sweet, sweet sushi!

Salmon poisoning is quite rare

Many articles online say that sushi is toxic for dogs because of the potential for salmon poisoning or avocado poisoning. That is not the case! First, avocado meat is not toxic for dogs, and salmon poisoning is very rare.

Debunking – is sushi dangerous for dogs?

No. Sushi is not dangerous for dogs. While you should avoid mayo, full-fat cream cheese, and spicy sauces, including soy sauce, you can share sushi with your dog.

One of the biggest issues with sushi, which we also found pretty concerning, is salmon poisoning. Salmon poisoning is due to a bacteria (neorickettsia helminthoeca) found inside a parasite (nanophyetus salmincola) that lives primarily in the muscle of salmon. This parasite needs an intermediate host of a snail (the Juga plicifera) that is almost only found in the northwest (Washington, Oregon, parts of the Canadian Pacific Ocean coast).

The parasite is a trematoda, or flatworm, that encrusts itself in areas of the muscle and is fairly easy to spot when preparing salmon for eating. It would be super rare for a sushi restaurant even to use fresh caught, non-farmed salmon from Washington State, so the risk of getting salmon poisoning is extremely low.

The more common case presentation for salmon poisoning is a dog that lives in the Pacific Northwest and often eats salmon that wash up on the shore of a beach home. Pretty specific.

Enjoy your gourmet sushi dinner, and feel free to share a sushi roll with your dog, but only as a special treat.

Bon appetit.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat sushi ginger?

It’s best to skip sharing sushi ginger with your dog. The reason? Sushi ginger, or pickled ginger, is made with added sugar and vinegar, ingredients that aren’t great for dogs, especially in large amounts. Plus, your furry friend might not even enjoy the taste.

Can dogs eat raw sushi, and how about raw salmon sushi?

They can, but you should really pick only cooked fish options. Even though it’s very rare, and almost all restaurants would never have this issue, raw fish can still contain harmful bacteria and parasites that could make your dog sick. So, better safe than sorry.

Can dogs eat sushi seaweed?

Yes, dogs can eat sushi seaweed, also known as nori, provided it’s plain and doesn’t contain any added salt, garlic, or other seasonings. Always check the ingredients list before sharing seaweed with your dog to ensure it’s safe.