Can Dogs Eat Fish Pie? Food Friend or Foe?

Introduction

Many people have fish pie every now and then either to make things a bit more varied or to enjoy a bit more Omega 3 and nutrients that can only be found in fish. But can dogs eat fish pie?

Does fish pie put your dog’s health in danger in any way? Can you make your own dog fish pie at home, and how should you? Find out the answers to all of these questions in the article below!

Is Fish Pie Good for Dogs?

Technically, yes. Even the recipes that you might come across these days at the supermarket or on various online retail websites, such as Lily’s Kitchen Fishy Fish Pie, are safe to give to dogs. 

But you should keep in mind that such products are primarily made for pets, which is why they are species-appropriate. However, the fish pie that you can get from the store and that’s premade and cooked for humans could contain potentially hazardous ingredients for dogs. 

But here are some potential benefits that your pup might enjoy after eating a bit of fish pie. 

fish pie

Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids

It all depends on the type of fish used in the recipe, but some species, such as sardines or salmon, contain high amounts of both of these essential fatty acids

But why are these nutrients so coveted? Well, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential when it comes to your dog’s body regulating blood pressure, positively influencing processes such as inflammation, and ensuring that your pet’s nervous system functions properly. 

Fiber

Fish isn’t the most fiber-rich food in the world, and everyone knows that. But various fish pies can contain different ingredients, such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and even lentils or some other type of legume. 

All of these bulk up the fish pie (and also make it more affordable) and make it possible for your dog to have a regular digestive transit, especially if they tend to get constipated regularly. 

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight, especially in senior dogs. So, if you see that the label of the fish pie you are looking to purchase contains this nutrient, you should consider buying it. 

However, vitamin A can also come from the carrots you use in preparing your own fish pie, as we will detail below. 

Calcium and iron

Not all fish pie varieties contain these two minerals, so you should see whether the one you intend to buy does. Calcium is essential for young puppies as they need it to grow their bones healthy and strong. 

Iron is essential for dogs pretty much all throughout their lives as it is the core component of hemoglobin, the substance that basically makes up red blood cells. And if you did not know, these cells are in charge of transporting nutrients and oxygen to and from your pup’s internal organs. 

Is Fish Pie Bad for Dogs?

Sodium

Salt is used as a preservative, and taste enhancer in many commercial foods made for humans. Unfortunately, while we can handle average amounts of sodium, animals cannot do the same. 

Some fish pie types are lower in salt specifically because they are made for people who have high blood pressure, for example. Those might be more suitable for pets. 

But most varieties contain as much as 50% of the daily recommended intake of sodium per day for a person, which is simply too much for a dog. Your pet’s kibble is also likely to contain small amounts of salt, so your pup really doesn’t need the extra. 

Too much fat

To make fish pies palatable, lots of manufacturing brands these days add oils and animal fat to their recipes. While that might make them more delicious, it also increases the number of calories and the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in a serving of fish pie. 

So, if you do not want your dog to risk becoming overweight or obese (a problem that’s more likely to affect spayed and neutered dogs), you should avoid giving them store-bought fish pie. 

Not enough healthy nutrients

In the end, fish pie is not the best type of food to give to your dog nutrition-wise. And the reason we’re saying this is that the potatoes or other fillings, along with the crust, make up too much of the recipe and don’t contain enough vitamins, minerals, or even protein compared to your dog’s normal food. 

dog licking his nose

How Much Fish Pie Can My Dog Eat?

While most fish pie varieties are not going to put your dog’s health in danger whatsoever, you should check the label for any problematic ingredients such as onion, garlic, any other condiments or spices, or artificial sweeteners (yes, some fish pie recipes contain xylitol!). 

If the product otherwise seems safe, one tablespoon per week should be safe for most dogs. Nevertheless, since this is not the best type of food to give to your pet, you should consider avoiding it altogether

How to Prepare and Serve Fish Pie to Your Dog

If your dog is a massive fish lover and there’s no way of going about things, you could try to make your own fish pie at home. 

Use only safe ingredients such as those we’ve already mentioned (carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes), and for the crust, you can use whole grain flour or an alternative made from oats.

Dogs don’t do well with a lot of grain in their diet, and they can experience bloating, diarrhea, or even vomiting as a result. Do not use any seasonings or spices whatsoever to make sure that the resulting dish is completely safe for dogs. 

Summary

So, can dogs eat fish pie? In most cases, yes, but it is not the best food to give to a dog. 

If you have to, make your own at home, and prepare it using only dog-safe ingredients. Don’t add any salt, starch, condiments, or spices, and use healthier alternatives instead of reaching for a bag of regular potatoes and your bag of all-purpose flour. 

Sources

  1. Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats, Cristina Cortinovis et al, 2016
  2. Obesity induced by a high-fat diet is associated with reduced brain insulin transport in dogs, K. J. Kaiyala et al, 2000

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Cristina Vulpe

Cristina Vulpe

As a veterinarian and a cat guardian, Cristina Vulpe holds a Ph.D. in veterinary oncology. She loves writing about feline pathology, parasitology, and infectious diseases, but she also cares deeply about animal nutrition and welfare. When she isn't writing, you can always find her in the company of her cat and a good book.
Iasi, Romania