Dogs are undoubtedly curious animals, they use their mouths to explore. In their exploration process, you might be surprised that they ate something you least expected like fish food. You will have to ask yourself the first question that should come up in mind anytime your dog eats something it shouldn’t.
Is Fish Food Bad For Dogs?
If your dog ate food fish, there is no need to worry. Most fish food contains ingredients that are not toxic to dogs. It does not have long-term effects however, you should keep an eye on him for temporary reactions.
My Dog Ate Fish Food, what Should I Do?
There is no need for distress if your dog ate fish food, he will be fine. But if he ate a lot of fish food, he will have some issues like diarrhea and vomiting. Though in rare cases, depending on the fish food ingredients your pooch can have an allergic reaction. If the problem persists, consult your vet.
What Is Fish Food Made of?
The protein in Fish food is obtained from fishmeal and fish oil, usually a byproduct of fish products. Fish food contains a lot of proteins than dog food. It also contains lots of fats and low carbohydrates from cheap wheat, rice, and maize meal. These carbohydrates can be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities.
Some fish food is comprised of sex hormones and other ingredients that add color to ornamental fish. Regularly, fish medication is provided through food.
According to FDA guidelines, fish food must be labeled with info ingredients, nutritional content, precautionary advice, and dosage instructions. This means that you can confirm the ingredients of the fish food before buying.
Regardless of the ingredients, you should not feed your dog fish food.
My Dog Ate Fish Food Packaging Will He Be Okay?
In the hurry of eating fish food, your dog might swallow the package too. Though dogs have a stronger digestive system than humans, they cannot digest the fish food package (mostly plastic). The package can cause blockage or internal wounds.
Contact your vet immediately for advice on how to handle the situation. In many cases, the dog has to be taken to a vet for a thorough test. He might require surgery to remove the package.
You should always keep fish food away from the reach of your dog to avoid problems in the future. Surgery is not only costly to you but also your dog’s health.
What Happens If a Dog Eats Betta Fish Food?
Betta food contains a lot of proteins and fats, which can cause digestive problems. After feeding on betta food, your dog can have diarrhea, vomiting, and behavior changes. Betta food comprises lots of larvae which can interfere with the stability of normal bacteria’s in the stomach
Can Fish Food Kill A Dog?
As discussed above, fish food will not harm your dog except for digestive problems. I am not implying that digestive issues shouldn’t be seriously addressed. If your dog consumes fish food, you should closely keep an eye on him for any abnormal behaviors.
If your dog ate fish food and the packing, you should visit your vet immediately. This can be fatal especially when it leads to intestinal blockage.
My Dog Ate Koi Fish Food Will He Get Sick?
The ingredients found in Koi’s food are safe for dogs. Nevertheless, this food can make your dog sick, he can have signs like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
In rare cases a dog can have an allergic reaction, he will show signs like swelling around the face, difficulties in breathing, or irritated skin.
3 ways to Keep Your Dog from Eating Fish Food
Due to dogs’ curiosity, it’s very hard to prevent them from eating fish food or any other substance they shouldn’t. The best way is to keep the fish food out of their reach, but in these three ways, you can reduce their curiosity.
- 1. Training
Training your dog basic commands like “leave it”, “stop,” or “come”. These commands will help especially when you find him in the eating process, you will use the stop command.
You can hire a professional trainer to assist you.
- 2. Exercise
Your dog requires at least 30 minutes per day of exercise both mentally and physically.. This helps to reduce boredom which can make them eat things they shouldn’t keep themselves busy.
- 3. Chew Toys
As a paw parent, you have to invest in chew toys. They not only keep the dog entertained but also contributes to healthy gum. Anytime you get your pooch eating something it shouldn’t, exchange it with his “approved toy”.
Conclusion
If your dog ate fish food, there is no need for alarm as it is not toxic. Watch your dog for any signs like vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If he ate the fish food and the packing, consult your vet immediately.
Though fish food is not toxic, don’t feed it to your dog as it contains high levels of proteins. The best way to prevent your dog from eating fish food is to keep it far from his reach.
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