Can Dogs Eat Fish Heads? (9 Interesting Food Facts)

One of the questions that dog owners tend to pose a lot is on whether the dogs can eat fish heads. This article answers that question comprehensively.

Can dogs eat fish heads? The answer is ‘yes’. Fish heads are safe, beneficial and usually delicious to dogs. But the fish heads can be challenging to eat. Therefore they are best eaten by dogs that are used to eating fish.

Heads from fast growing fish varieties tend to be much better than those from the slow growing fish varieties.

And while feeding dogs on fish heads, you need to know that the fish heads can contain nasty parasites and germs. That is why thorough cooking or long freezing may be necessary.

Further, while feeding dogs on fish heads, you need to know that the bone structures in them can be hard to tackle. That is why it is ideal to only give the heads to dogs that already have some ‘experience’ eating fish.

What is not in doubt is the fact that most dogs find the fish heads delicious. You only need to look at a Pit Bull, Doberman or Husky eating fish head, to see just how much they relish it.

Are Fish Heads Safe To Eat For Dogs?

Most of the people who pose the can dogs eat fish heads question are motivated by safety concerns.

Therefore in answering the can dogs eat fish heads question, we have to start by addressing those safety concerns.

So, are fish heads safe to eat for dogs?

The answer is yes. People have been feeding their dogs on fish heads for ages, without issues. Based on that long-term experience, we can say that fish heads are safe for dogs.

True, you may once in a while hear cases of dogs choking on fish head bones.

There are also those very rare tales of dogs eating fish heads, then swallowing the big bones, and ending up with stomach obstructions because of them. But such are extremely rare.

Just consider the number of dogs around the world that eat fish heads each day. Then consider the fact that we very rarely hear of dogs getting any major issues from eating the fish heads…

Then it becomes clear that the fish heads are safe for dogs.

True, fish heads can have parasites and germs. But if you freeze them for long or cook them thoroughly, then those parasites and germs die off.

Further, fish heads can have heavy metal residues. But if you opt for the fast growing types of fish, you are likely to find very low levels of these.

Here, one may ask, can dogs have allergies to fish heads? And the answer is that allergies to fish heads in dogs are very rare.

Against that background, can dogs eat fish heads safely? The answer is clearly ‘yes’.

Are Fish Heads Beneficial For Dogs?

Some of the people who pose the can dogs eat fish heads question may be interested in knowing if the fish heads are any good to the dogs.

Thus in answering the can dogs eat fish heads question, this is another perspective we need to look at.

So, is fish head good for dogs? The answer is ‘yes’. There are at least three things that make fish head good for dogs.

First is the fact that fish head is a good source of protein for a dog. And as we all know, dogs need protein for growth as well as for repair of body tissues.

Second is the fact that the fish head is a good source of vitamins. These are essential for the dog’s optimal health.

And third is the fact that the fish head is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Again, these are important for the dog’s proper bodily functioning.

Therefore for the people who pose the can dogs eat fish heads question based on nutritional considerations, the answer is ‘yes’.

Do Dogs Like Eating Fish Heads?

Another angle we may look at, while answering the can dogs eat fish heads question is that of whether the dogs actually enjoy eating the fish heads.

So, do dogs like eating fish heads? The answer is ‘yes’ – at least for most dogs.

Rarely will a dog ignore a fish head, if it is offered one to eat.

And rarely will a dog leave a fish head half-eaten. In most cases, a dog will struggle with a fish head, until it snuffs every last bit of flesh from it.

Actually, if you store fish heads improperly, a dog may proceed to open their package and eat them even without permission! It happens often enough.

All this is evidence that dogs like eating fish heads.

Can Dogs Eat Fish Heads?

We started by establishing that fish heads are safe for dogs. We then proceeded to establish that fish heads are beneficial for dogs. Further, we saw that dogs enjoy eating fish heads.

Given those facts, the answer to the can dogs eat fish heads question should be obvious. The answer is ‘yes’, dogs can eat fish heads.

Still, when it comes to feeding dogs on fish heads, there are several suggestions that make it even better.

The first suggestion is to opt for the faster-growing rather than slow growing types of fish. They fast growing fish tend to have far much lower levels of heavy metal residues (including the much-feared mercury).

Moreover, the faster-growing fish tend to have bones that are not too hard.

The other suggestion is to consider cutting the fish head into smaller manageable pieces.

And the third suggestion is to remove any potentially hazardous bones you can spot, before giving the dog the fish head.

While at, someone may ask, can dogs eat a whole fish? And the answer is ‘yes’ – though it may turn out to be too big for the dog, and perhaps cause stomach upsets.

But fishes vary in size. What is referred to as ‘whole’ fish in one case may turn out to be less than the size of another fish-type’s head.

Even if someone were to ask, can dogs eat whole fish raw, the answer would still be along those lines.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Fish Heads?

A natural extension to the can dogs eat fish heads question is this one: in which people seek to know whether dogs can eat raw fish heads.

The true position is that dogs can eat raw fish heads.

But it is important to appreciate that the raw fish heads may be bearing all manner of parasites and germs.

That fact applies, regardless of the type of fish.

For instance, raw salmon heads for dogs can be beneficial. But they can also be full of parasites and germs.

Therefore feeding dogs raw fish heads can be hazardous.

In general terms though, dogs can eat raw fish heads.

Therefore if, for instance, you were wondering, can dogs eat raw trout heads, now you know the answer.

Or if you were wondering, can dogs eat raw salmon heads, now you have the answer.

The answer is that the dogs are capable of eating the raw fish heads. But you need to know that they may have nasty parasites and germs.

Of course, if they had been frozen for long, then the parasites and germs will have died. So the raw fish heads will be safe.

Thus if you had the can dogs eat raw mackerel heads question, that is the answer to it.

Or generally if you were wondering, can I give my dog raw fish heads (or can you feed dogs raw fish), now you know the way forward.

Let us take it further: can you feed dogs raw fish with bones? The answer is ‘yes’ – though it would be best to cut the fish heads into smaller pieces, and remove any hazardous bones you can pick out.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Fish Heads?

Another natural extension to the can dogs eat fish heads question is this one: in which people seek to know if dogs can eat cooked fish heads.

So, can dog eat cooked fish head?

The answer is ‘yes’. In fact, a dog should ideally only eat cooked fish head. Cooking kills any parasites or germs that may be in the fish head.

But the cooking method matters. For instance, if you give a dog a fish head cooked with lots of seasonings like salt, onion or garlic, it may cause problems.

Similarly, if you give a dog deep fried fish head, there may be a problem. The excess oil may cause stomach upsets.

Can Dogs Eat Frozen Fish Heads?

The person posing the can dogs eat fish heads question may go further, and seek to know whether dogs can eat frozen fish heads.

Or one may ask, can dogs eat freeze dried fish heads?

The true position is that dogs can eat frozen fish heads. You just need to unthaw them properly.

Freezing – if done for long enough – kills any parasites or germs that may be harboring in the fish heads.

Thus if the fish heads had been frozen for long enough (like more than a week), you may feed them to a dog even without cooking.

Can Dogs Eat Salmon Heads?

Sometimes, the person posing the can dogs eat fish heads question may be having a specific type of fish in mind: Salmon.

So, can dogs eat salmon heads? The answer is ‘yes’.

Salmon grows reasonably fast. Its bones are usually soft enough for dogs. And it rarely stays in the waters long enough to end up with worrying levels of heavy metals.

Therefore salmon heads are good for fish.

Now in salmon heads, the eyes tend to be rather conspicuous. This leads to questions like, can dogs eat fish eyes? Thus while answering the can dogs eat fish heads question, this is an aspect worth exploring.

After all, it is quite common to hear someone saying, my dog ate a fish head with the eyes, will he be okay? This means that the fish eyes aspect is critical here.

The true position is that dogs can eat the eyes in salmon heads (or in any other fish heads for that matter).

The fish eyes are safe and potentially beneficial to dogs.

Thus if you were wondering, can my dog eat fish heads with eyes, now you know the answer. They can.

The broader bottom-line though is that dogs can eat salmon heads.

Can Dogs Eat Sea Bass Heads?

The person posing the can dogs eat fish heads question may be having sea bass in mind in particular.

Now the true position is that dogs can eat sea bass heads. Sea bass is actually one of the recommended types of fish for dogs.

Therefore you can feed your dog on sea bass heads without worrying too much.

Can Dogs Eat Red Snapper Heads?

In asking the can dogs eat fish heads question, you may be having red snapper heads in mind particularly.

So, indeed, can you feed dogs fish heads from red snapper? This may not be ideal.

Red snapper is one of those types of fish that grow slowly. So it often ends up with hardy bones, which may be a choking or stomach obstruction hazard for a dog.

Moreover, after staying in the waters for so long, the red snapper may come with heavy metal residues as well as parasites and germs.

Sometimes, you just compare the benefits of fish heads for dogs with these hazards. Then you see that it is better to just desist from feeding the dogs on such types of fish heads.

Can Dogs Eat Catfish Heads?

Catfish is one of those types of fish that are generally good for dogs.

Therefore dogs can eat catfish heads.

You just need to ensure that you remove any potentially hazardous bones. Then ideally cook the catfish head properly, to get rid of any parasites or germs.

Can Dogs Eat Flounder Heads?

While discussing the can dogs eat fish heads subject, flounder fish heads may come up for consideration.

The truth of the matter is that you can feed your dogs on flounder heads.

Flounder bones tend to be soft enough for dogs. But the flounder heads may have many parasites, these being bottom dweller fish.

So it is best to serve them cooked. Or at least freeze them for a week, before serving them to a dog raw.

Can Dogs Eat Trout Fish Heads?

Another name that often comes up, in can dogs eat fish heads discussions, is trout.

So, can dogs eat trout fish heads? The answer is that, ideally they shouldn’t.

Most of the trout available nowadays is farmed. It may have all manner of antibiotics and other toxins.

Even the trout from natural body waters tends to have all manner of contamination.

Trout is not one of the recommended types of fish for dogs, according to quite a number of experts.

What about cooked trout? Can dogs eat cooked trout? Cooked trout may be better for dogs than raw trout, but it is still not ideal.

Can Dogs Have Halibut Heads?

There are cases where the person asking the can dogs eat fish heads question will specifically be having halibut in mind.

So, can dogs have halibut heads? Ideally they shouldn’t. Halibut is one of those slow growing fish varieties.

The halibut that is fished may have been in the waters for years, or even decades. It may have all manner of heavy metal residues.

Moreover, it may have hardy bones, which are hazardous for dogs. And it may also have lots of parasites and germs in it.

How Do You Cook Fish Heads For Dogs?

Right after the can dogs eat fish heads question is likely to come this one: on how to cook fish heads for dogs.

One approach you can use, while cooking fish heads for dogs is that of boiling.

Actually, most of the available guidelines on how to cook fish heads for dogs recommend boiling.

Just ensure that you don’t include additives, such as salt and spices.

Steaming is another approach you can use, while preparing fish heads for dogs.

Thus if you were wondering, can you feed fish heads to dogs that are steamed, the answer is ‘yes’.

Just ensure you do the steaming thoroughly, to get rid of any germs or parasites.

Baking too is a viable method for cooking fish heads for dogs. Just avoid salt or other additives.

While at it, one may ask, can you feed dogs fish bones? And the answer is that you should mostly aim to give your dogs fish flesh, rather than the bones. Some of the bones can be choking or obstruction hazards.

When preparing fish heads for your bones, remove any potentially dangerous bones you can see.

How Many Fish Heads Can A Dog Eat?

Another follow up question (to the can dogs eat fish heads question) is this one – on how many fish heads a dog can eat.

Most experts recommend that you only give a dog one fish head per day. And even then, this shouldn’t be a daily thing: but like thrice per week at most.

Most of what we are saying applies, regardless of the type of dog you have in mind.

Often we have people asking can Terriers eat fish heads? Or can Chihuahuas heat fish heads? Or can Yorkies eat fish heads? And the guideline mostly remains the same.

Since dogs and cats often coexist in homes, can cats eat fish heads as well? The answer is yes, but you need to beware of the choking hazards the bones in the fish head present to a cat as well.

Final Verdict – Can Dogs Eat Fish Heads

Dogs can eat fish heads. The fish heads are (mostly) safe and also delicious for dogs to eat. Moreover the fish heads contain nutrients that can be beneficial to dogs.

Granted, the bones in fish heads can present a choking hazard for dogs. And the fish heads can contain parasites, germs and heavy metal residues.

But most of those are issues that can be addressed through proper selection of fish heads and through proper preparation of the fish heads.

Ideally, you should opt for the faster growing varieties of fish, rather than those varieties of fish that are slow growing.

You should also only feed your dog on fish heads with moderation. That is like only one fish head per day thrice per week at most.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet dog a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️