Being a pet lover, we always want to share the best food we are having with our beloved pet. Fish is considered one of the best meals to eat because of its protein and nutrients and fatty acids. But still, there are some fishes you should not feed your pet like most saltwater fishes.
Tuna is a saltwater fish, but many dog food companies usually use tuna in dog food; hence one gets to thinking, can German Shepherd puppies eat tuna? So the quick answer to this question – yes, German Shepherd puppy can eat tuna, but our recommendation is not to take this risk as many experts on dog food are arguing whether or not it is safe for your pet.
Can German Shepherd puppies eat tuna?
Your puppy can eat tuna as it contains fatty acids omega-3, which can fulfill the nutritional value of your pup.
Even though tuna is extremely nutritional, you shouldn’t feed it to your pup because there is another thing to consider: mercury poisoning, which is harmful to your pet.
According to experts on dog food, there is no need to feed your pup tuna, as its puppy diet is already fulfilling its daily intake of nutrients.
Feeding tuna to your puppy can upset its digestive system, as your puppy is still going through a developing phase. So it is best to avoid tuna while your German Shepherd is still a puppy.
In terms of benefits, when tuna is eaten, it can boost many benefits as it contains large amounts of proteins and vitamins. Some of them are selenium, zinc, potassium, vitamin B, and phosphorus. Apart from these, tuna also contains vitamin B12, folate, and iron. The benefits of these components can significantly benefit the German Shepherd.
1. Selenium:
Selenium is a vital part of the German Shepherd’s diet, as it can help in the functioning of the immune system, thyroid hormone metabolism, and antioxidant protection. In some cases, it’s seen that long-term health is also affected because of selenium deficiency.
2. Zinc:
Zinc is another essential part of the German Shepherd’s diet that cannot be ignored, as it is directly associated with the immune system’s functioning. It is said that without zinc, dogs are more prone to diseases. This is especially the case in terms of puppies as they are still in their development stage, and thus, they are more readily attacked by diseases.
3. Potassium:
Potassium is associated with the heart’s health and function, and it is also essential for the swift digestion and functioning of the kidney. Thus, deficiency of potassium cannot be ignored under any circumstances.
4. Vitamin B:
Vitamin B is especially important in the growth of German Shepherd puppies as it is associated with more than one benefit in dogs. Vitamin B helps regulate energy, making the dog’s coat shiny and skin healthy, improving the digestion and absorption of different elements.
5. Iron:
Iron is essential in the development of red blood cells and maintaining a good oxygen level throughout the German Shepherd’s body. As puppies are in the development stage and need a good amount of oxygen to surge through their body, iron can be good for them. Additionally, red blood cells can also make the German Shepherd puppy more energetic. Iron is also associated with more swift functioning of enzymes and body functions. Moreover, iron can also help in regulating the German Shepherd’s body temperature.
How is tuna bad for German Shepherd?
Tuna has a high level of mercury as compared to any other fish. Feeding tuna on a regular basis to your German Shepherd puppy can cause mercury poisoning, which can cause severe damage to your pup.
Tuna is a saltwater fish where all the industrial waste goes. So the level of mercury depends on the size of the tuna. The bigger the tuna, the higher the level of mercury that can be found in its body.
So this is why tuna is bad for your puppy, and that is why you should avoid feeding it to your beloved puppy.
Feeding too much tuna can show symptoms like:
- Damage of the kidney.
- Hair loss.
- Blood vomiting.
- Lose focus.
If your pet shows any of these symptoms, you should take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.
What can you feed your German Shepherd puppy instead of tuna?
If your puppy has an allergy and can’t eat any other meat and you being the owner, want your pet to eat fish so your pet can fulfill the daily intake of proteins, you can try feeding your puppy other fishes which are known to be safe for your puppy Shrimp and Salmon.
Feeding shrimp to your puppy:
Shrimp is considered safe as your pet is full of proteins and other nutrients, but it should always be served without the shell, and it needs to be fully cooked so your pet can enjoy eating without any risk. As raw or undercooked shrimp can make your puppy sick.
Feeding salmon to your puppy:
Salmon is considered best to feed your puppy as it is rich in fatty acid omega-3, which can help your pet make its immune system better. Its rich content can make the dog’s coat look healthier and more shiny than usual. Remember not to feed it raw to your puppy. It should be boneless for your puppy to make sure your pup doesn’t choke on any of its bones.
Conclusion:
The German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds known to all because of their owners’ loyalty. So every pet lover wants to take the best care of his pet and wants to feed anything that can help them make themselves healthier and grow stronger.
So here in this article, we have answered in detail that can your German Shepherd eat tuna? And is it safe for your puppy to eat tuna or not, and what are the other fishes you can feed to your pet to fulfill its daily intake of proteins and nutrients?
So do let us know what type of fish do you like to feed to your pet?
