Skip to content 
I have to confess that until a few years ago, I had never heard of this tropical fish, even though it’s one of the most popular and tastiest fishes in the world.
I had never cooked it at home, nor eaten it in any restaurant. But for some reason, after giving it a shot in my own kitchen, it wasn’t only me: my dog now also loves mahi mahi!
But can dogs eat mahi mahi? In this post, I will be sharing with you the benefits of mahi mahi, a few tips on how to prepare this fish, and some precaution as you include this in your pup’s menu for tonight.
What Is Mahi-Mahi?
Mahi mahi is a type of fish that comes from the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its pinkish-red color and tender, white flesh.
This fish is a popular option for sushi restaurants because it can be cooked in many ways and has a mild flavor. The fat content in mahimahi is low, but it does contain omega-3 fatty acids, which provide health benefits when eaten in moderation.
Despite its popularity among sushi lovers, there are some risks associated with eating this type of fish. Read on to learn more about what mahi mahi is and whether or not your dog should eat it.
Mahi Mahi Health Benefits
Is mahi mahi safe to eat? Yes, it is!
If you’re wondering how healthy is mahi mahi for your dog, here are some benefits of feeding this fish to your pup:
Fatty Acids and Omega-3
Mahi mahi contains elevated levels of fatty acids, which are essential for good health. The omega-3 fatty acids in this fish help reduce inflammation, while the omega-6 fatty acids promote brain development and eye health.
Protein and Amino Acids
Protein is an important component of a dog’s diet since it gives them energy, boosts their immune system, and helps build and repair muscle tissue.
While many dogs get enough protein from their regular diet each day, adding more protein can be advantageous for dogs with certain medical conditions like kidney disease or arthritis.
Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium
Calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth while phosphorus aids in the formation of red blood cells and magnesium supports energy production within cells. These minerals are often lacking in commercial pet foods so adding a supplement like salmon oil can help fill these important nutritional gaps in your dog’s diet!
Vitamin B12
Mahi mahi contains vitamin B12, which helps with red blood cell production and brain function. It also helps with cellular energy production and has been shown to slow down the aging process in dogs.
Vitamin D
Mahi mahi contains vitamin D, which helps with bone growth and development. It also reduces inflammation in joints, which can be helpful for dogs who suffer from arthritis or other joint disorders like hip dysplasia.
Every week or so, I have questions coming in regarding whether or not we can feed a specific kind of fish to our dogs. Here is one that you can explore after reading about mahi mahi: can dogs eat trout?
Side Effects of Giving Your Dog Mahi Mahi
At this point, you’re probably convinced that it’s fine to feed your dog mahi mahi, but what you haven’t heard is that there are some side effects that you should be aware of.
Mercury Poisoning
Does mahi mahi have mercury? Yes. The main risk of giving mahi mahi to your dog, is the possibility of mercury poisoning. If you plan to give your dog mahi mahi on a regular basis, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t overdo it.
Allergy To Fish
Some dogs may be allergic to this fish because it has high levels of histamine, which could cause them to have a reaction. Those with allergies to seafood in general should avoid this food at all costs.
If your dog doesn’t have any allergies, then they can eat mahi mahi as long as they are eating a healthy diet overall. But not too much—a little bit goes a long way.
Bloating in Dogs
Mahi mahi is also known to cause fish bloat in dogs, which can be fatal if not treated quickly. If you notice any signs of bloating such as gas pain or discomfort around their waist, take them straight to the vet.
If you do decide to feed your dog this type of fish, make sure that you monitor his weight closely—and keep an eye out for any signs of illness or discomfort from eating too much.
How To Serve Mahi Mahi for Your Dog
Mahi Mahi is a type of fish that’s popular among sushi lovers. It’s also known as dolphin fish or dolphinfish. This species is considered safe for humans to eat raw because it has very little mercury content and has high amounts of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
But what about dogs? Can you feed your dog mahi mahi? Well, that depends on how much mercury is in the fish and how much your dog will eat at once.
While there are many health benefits associated with giving your dog fresh and raw foods like meat and fish, there are also risks associated with feeding them too much mercury from these sources—especially if they’re consuming more than one meal per day (which they probably will if they’re getting bored).
Here are some tips that you can use to safely prepare mahi mahi fish for your dogs:
Raw
Can you eat mahi mahi raw? Raw mahi mahi is convenient to feed to dogs because they don’t have to deal with any cooking or preparation. If you’re planning on giving your dog fresh and raw mahi mahi, make sure that they’re not allergic to shellfish or other seafoods.
Cooked
Cooked mahi mahi is much easier to digest than raw—your dog won’t have to worry about digesting raw meat, which can cause stomach upset. Just make sure that you cook it properly with some olive oil and garlic powder so that there won’t be any harmful bacteria present in their food.
Grilled
Grilled mahi mahi has an even better taste than cooked mahi mahi because it isn’t overcooked like cooked fish tends to be. Just make sure that you grill over medium heat.
Steamed or Boiled
Steam the fish in a steamer over boiling water for about 15 minutes until it’s cooked through, flaky and easy to break apart with a fork.
Thinking of giving your dog other types of fish? Here is another post you can check out: “can dogs eat tilapia?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Mahi Mahi
Is It Safe To Feed Raw Mahi Mahi to Dogs?
With the rise in popularity of raw food diets for dogs, many pet owners are trying to feed their dogs raw fish. However, not all fish is safe for dogs to eat. In fact, some types of fish have been known to cause poisoning and even death in dogs.
So before you start feeding raw fish to your dog, it’s important that you understand how it can affect them.
Raw fish is a type of meat that has not been cooked or processed in any way. This means that it still has all of its natural nutrients intact and can be easily digested by your dog’s body.
Can Dogs Eat the Skin of Mahi-mahi?
Yes, dogs can eat the skin of mahi-mahi. However, it should be noted that some people are allergic to mahi-mahi skin due to its high content of iodine.
If you notice any symptoms of an allergic reaction when giving mahi-mahi skin to your dog, discontinue feeding immediately and consult your vet for further treatment options.
Conclusion
Mahi Mahi can be a great substitute for other kinds of fish in your dogs diet. Just make sure to only feed their Mahi Mahi as a treat, not their primary source of protein because Mahi Mahi is high in fat.
If you are looking for a healthy source of protein, try preparing for your dog fish such as salmon or cod. With many different types of fish available why risk the safety of your dog when substituting his meal with Mahi Mahi? Be sure to ask your veterinarian about what kind of fish would be best for your pets diet.
For more information on the types of fish you can feed your dog, check out my other articles and keep following this page for the latest updates.
I also have written a post about dehydrated fish for dogs, in case you are considering it as a part of your dog’s diet, or as one of their treats. Until the next adventure, cheers!
