Raw Food Diet for Dogs: Why Sushi Is Bad For Your Dog
A raw food diet for dogs might seem healthier for your dog than a diet of commercially manufactured dog food, however you need to make sure that you don’t put your dog at risk for intestinal problems from parasites in raw fish that can cause your dog to have diarrhea and if untreated may be fatal.
This article gives you reasons why Sushi is bad for your dog so you don’t choose raw fish as part of your dog’s diet.
Raw Food Diet For Dogs: 4 Reasons Why Sushi is bad for Your Dog
- Rice – The short grain rice that’s used in sushi spikes blood sugar levels which can result in health problems for your dog as well as diabetes.
- Sugar and rice vinegar – Two cups of sushi rice may contain 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar. The carbohydrate content in a typical hand roll is 60-75% rice or the equivalent of 2 slices of bread. All this sugar is not good for your dog.
- Salt – Hidden in the sushi rice is salt and soy sauce which is even higher in salt content. Salt is not good for your dog because of the risk of dehydration and kidney damage. A raw food diet for dogs should not include raw salmon prepared in sushi.
- Processed foods – Sushi rolls may contain processed foods like crab sticks. The risk for your dog is all the chemicals, added spices and MSG.
Note: Sushi prepared in high quality restaurants and markets may have less risk. Consult with your vet and dog health nutritionist before you feed your dog a raw diet.
Dangers of Raw Salmon in Sushi for Your Dog
- Parasites in salmon – Salmon pick up a flatworm parasite called Nanophyteus salmincola while they are in the ocean. According to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, this flatworm is commonly infected by a rickettsial organism called Neorickettsia helminthoeca which causes salmon poisoning disease in your dog and is a concern when you choose a raw food diet for dogs. This parasite finds a home in snails, a main food source for salmon so they become large enough to be harvested. Although the salmon is not affected by this flatworm, your dog can become infected if he eats raw salmon.
- Digestive system in your dog – The flatworm larvae bursts open in your dog’s digestive system and embeds themselves in your dog’s intestinal tract which causes inflammation. These flatworms are only dangerous for dogs who eat raw salmon since they are killed when salmon is cooked.
5 Signs of Salmon Poisoning in Your Dog
- Diarrhea – Your dog may need to relieve himself quickly after he eats raw salmon. Watch for blood in your dog’s stools if you choose a raw food diet for dogs.
- Fever – Your dog may develop a high fever between 104 and 107 degrees.
- Lethargy – Your dog may seem lazy and have no energy.
- Loss of appetite – Your dog may not want to eat or have any dog treats.
- Vomiting – Your dog may start to vomit after he eats raw salmon.
Note: If you think your dog has salmon poisoning symptoms you should call your vet and bring your dog to your local emergency animal hospital. Infected dogs with salmon poisoning that are untreated by antibiotics only have a 10% chance of survival.
This article gives you reasons why your dog should not eat sushi if you choose a raw diet for dogs so you can keep your dog from the risks of salmon poisoning.
Share this article with your friends and family so they are informed about the dangers of sushi for their dog.
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