As a hunting breed, beagles have pretty robust stomachs, and can enjoy a lot of different types of animal-based foods. However one type of food that I’ve seen come into question in the dog world is sushi. Because sushi is such a diverse type of cuisine, there isn’t an exact ‘yes’ or ‘no answer to whether or not beagles can safely eat it.
Rather, there are certain types of fish more fit for beagles, and certain additional ingredients in sushi that are safe to eat. On the other hand though, there are a handful of ingredients for certain sushi rolls and styles that all dogs should definitely stay away from.
In this article, I’ll detail which types of sushi are safe for beagles to eat, and which you should always avoid. But first, let’s go over the reasons you may want to avoid it:
Why Shouldn’t Your Beagle Eat Sushi?
Raw Fish Can Be Dangerous For Your Dog
By and large, most types of food that contain any type of raw fish should be avoided for animals, because it poses several potential health risks. While sushi is generally prepared safely, there are certain types of raw fish that still pose salmonella risks, especially depending on the quality of sushi and how the fish is sourced or prepared.
The risks of salmonella for beagles include the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, and even death. It’s especially dangerous for smaller breeds or older beagles.
If you do want to try giving your beagle sushi, you should do so in small amounts so that you can monitor how their body gradually reacts to it.
Fish Can Cause Digestive Issues
This is very similar to the reason above, but is something to keep in mind as food allergies to fish can be fairly common for some dogs.
There are also certain types of fish with certain types of scales or bones that can be painful and harmful to a dog’s digestion tract if eaten.
Dogs Cannot Digest Wasabi or Garlic
Wasabi is a common ingredient in most types of sushi. It is typically made by grinding up the root of the Wasabi plant and mixing it with water to create a paste.
This paste is then applied to ingredients like fish or vegetables to add flavor.
While trace amounts of wasabi flakes are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, dogs cannot digest large amounts of wasabi in paste form and should try to avoid at all costs.
It’s an incredibly spicy ingredient, and can be very dangerous to ingest.
Similarly, garlic is toxic to dogs.
While it isn’t a common ingredient in sushi, some types of rolls and tempura dishes have been known to use garlic in their recipes, which should be avoided at all costs around beagles.
Fish Can Have High Levels Of Toxic Metals
Some types of fish are known to have high concentrations of heavy metals like mercury, and other toxins in their flesh.
While dogs might be perfectly fine with digesting these toxins initially, after eating over long periods of time, these toxins will accumulate in their body and eventually transform into harmful compounds.
Some specific types of fish contain high levels of mercury, which is deadly to dogs when ingested in large amounts. Other fish contain levels cadmium and even lead.
Soy Sauce Can Have Too Much Sodium For Dogs
Soy sauce is not safe for dogs due to its high sodium content. If your beagle consumes more than one teaspoon of soy sauce without sufficient water available, it could lead to salt poisoning and even kidney damage.
If your beagle gets to some spilled soy sauce while you’re enjoying sushi, you should immediately try to hydrate them and call your vet. If they’ve consumed a lot of soy sauce, you may want to call poison control or consider a pet emergency room visit.
Another factor that makes soy so dangerous is that soy is a common allergen for both people and dogs. Even if your dog is sufficiently hydrated and doesn’t have a bad sodium-related reaction to soy sauce, they still could have a difficult allergic reaction.
It’s best to play it safe and avoid soy sauce with dogs altogether.
Benefits of Sushi for Beagles
Sushi is Rich In Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are incredibly important for dogs to eat regularly for many reasons.
They can help with your dog’s heart and brain functioning, their eyes, skin, and coat health, and can reduce their risk of some diseases.
Most types of fish that your dog would eat in sushi are very rich sources of omega-3 fatty acid. Even the type of rice that’s used in sushi has been known to contain small amounts of omega-3.
While it’s definitely a positive benefit, you don’t have to just rely on sushi or fish to get your dog their necessary intake of omega-3, there are plenty of great supplements available that are fortified with other healthy minerals that your beagle will definitely enjoy.
Sushi is An Excellent Source of Protein
Protein is crucial for a dog’s health and wellness for many reasons. It helps with their brain and nervous system function, muscle repair, and weight maintenance among many other things.
Protein also helps a dog maintain their muscle tissue and support the healthy development of their skeletal frame.
Although it’s generally not recommended to feed dogs large amounts of protein at once, small servings throughout the day are usually fine.
If your beagle is particularly active beyond the cardio of regular walks, the protein from the fish in sushi will definitely help with muscle growth and help them meet their caloric needs.
Fish Is A Good Alternative For Dogs With Food Allergies
If your dog has food allergies with certain ingredients like gluten or chicken, and is having trouble finding safe food to eat, getting them into a regular routine of their diets is incredibly important.
Most dogs can eat fish safely even if they have allergies to other types of meat-based food.
Fish also tends to have fewer ingredients and is easier to narrow down the source of any reactions that your dog might have.
Ginger Is Rich In Antioxidants
Another great thing about sushi is that it usually has some ginger on the side This is a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can also help with their digestion and overall digestive health.
If your dog has colitis, ginger could help them deal with the inflammation and help their gut work better.
If your beagle is experiencing a lot of stomach bloat or gas, constipation or diarrhea, then the ginger in sushi can definitely help with these symptoms.
Ginger is often prescribed by vets in supplement form to help with certain digestive ailments, for both dogs and humans!
The Rice and Fish In Sushi Are Excellent Sources of Calcium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals that your dog needs on a regular basis. It can help with their skeletal and muscular health, their nerves and brain functioning, and can even help with their mood!
While calcium deficiency is usually found in older dogs with teeth issues, calcium deficiency in puppies can cause a lot of problems as well.
The rice in sushi and certain types of fish can be excellent sources of calcium.
While most dogs get the correct amount of calcium from their fortified foods, if your beagle has any bone issues or is simply experiencing old age, the extra calcium from fish and rice will definitely be beneficial.
Best Types of Sushi for Beagles
Salmon
Salmon is a common ingredient in a lot of different types of sushi rolls, and it has a lot of great benefits for beagles. Salmon is a fatty type of fish, meaning it has a nice balance of omega-3s and protein compared to other types of fish.
Tuna
Tuna’s another common ingredient in sushi rolls. While too much tuna can lead to a build up of mercury for both humans and dogs, it can also be an excellent source of protein and calcium.
Cucumber
Cucumber rolls can be an excellent choice for beagles, as long as they don’t eat any soy sauce or wasabi that often comes with them. Cucumbers are a low calorie, yet crunch and satisfying vegetable that your beagle will love.
Final Thoughts
The best sushi for beagles will depend entirely on what you’re comfortable with. While sushi can be very good for your beagle’s health, certain types of fish and ingredients can cause some problems as well.
Be sure to monitor your beagle’s health while they try any type of sushi diet!