Why
Cooked fresh tuna gives omega-3 fatty acids, but tuna contains mercury, and canned versions can be salty.
How to serve tuna
- A small amount of cooked fresh tuna, or canned tuna packed in water.
Watch out for
- Avoid tuna in oil or with seasoning.
- Not a regular food because of mercury.
How much tuna can a dog eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories, says the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much tuna it buys if tuna is the only treat that day. Tuna has about 86 kcal per 100 g; 1 oz (28.4 g) is about 24 kcal.
| Dog size | Daily treat budget | Max tuna a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 30 g (one oz) |
| Medium (30 lb) | 59 kcal | 69 g (about 2 oz) |
| Large (60 lb) | 100 kcal | 117 g (about 4 oz) |
| Giant (90 lb) | 136 kcal | 158 g (about 6 oz) |
Less is better for small, overweight or diabetic dogs. Work out your own dog's numbers with the dog food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Fish, tuna, light, canned in water, drained solids (Includes foods for USDA's Food Distribution Program).
Other meat, fish and eggs: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken bones | Avoid | No. Cooked chicken bones splinter and can choke a dog or tear the gut. |
| Ham | Small amounts | A small piece is fine now and then, but ham is salty and fatty. |
| Pork | Small amounts | Yes, plain, fully cooked pork with the fat trimmed. |
| Shrimp | Small amounts | Yes, a few fully cooked shrimp with the shell, tail and legs removed. |
| Chicken | Safe | Yes. Plain cooked chicken is a good protein source. Never cooked bones. |
| Eggs | Safe | Yes, fully cooked. Cooked eggs are a good protein source; raw eggs are not. |
| Fish | Safe | Yes, fully cooked and deboned, up to twice a week. |
| Salmon | Safe | Yes, fully cooked and boneless. Never raw. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories (WSAVA). The rest should come from a complete dog food.
- Check labels for xylitol, raisins, chocolate and macadamia nuts, which turn up in baked goods, snacks and spreads.
- If your dog has a health condition, such as diabetes, pancreatitis or kidney disease, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Is tuna safe for dogs?
Small amounts only. Tuna contains mercury.
How much tuna can a dog eat?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories (WSAVA). For a 30 lb dog that is about 59 kcal a day, or roughly 69 g of tuna if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, "Human Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat" (updated Aug 17, 2026)
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, "Feeding treats to your dog"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.