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Is uncooked salmon from the grocery store safe for my dog to eat?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Is it safe to feed a German shepherd an uncooked frozen salmon fillet? Purchased it from a local grocery market and I have been freezing for 24hrs.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 20th, 2016

No, it's not safe to feed your dog uncooked salmon. Raw salmon can contain parasites and/or bacteria that can be harmful to dogs, and so they should never be fed raw fish. You may give it to her cooked, and make sure all of the bones are removed. I would only give her a small amount, as new foods can cause GI upset in dogs.

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    Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

    Published on September 2nd, 2017

    Nala would be a very unlucky dog if she got sick from eating 1 small piece of raw salmon! My biggest concern with her eating it is possibly getting Salmon Poisoning. This is caused by a parasite in the meat of salmon that can infect dogs and cause severe damage. I would recommend consulting with your vet. The vet may recommend starting anticestodal medications to prevent the fluke (if it is even present) from causing disease. Here is some more information on Salmon Poisoning in Dogs: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3172

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