Feeding raw fish to dogs
With raw fish, there are two main things to keep in mind. One is parasites; the other is an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1. Neither means the fish itself is bad — they are simply things to know when serving it raw.
Parasites (Anisakis)
Fish parasites are not just one species — they vary with the kind of fish and where it grew. In Japan the best-known is Anisakis, which can turn up not only in the organs but inside the flesh.
Anisakis is killed by heating at 60℃ for at least 1 minute, or freezing at -20℃ for at least 24 hours.
Many home freezers run at around -18℃, so simply keeping fish in the freezer may not meet this freezing condition.
(The heating and freezing conditions follow the Anisakis advisories of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.)
The enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1 (thiaminase)
Some raw fish carry thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1 (thiamine). This enzyme stops working once the fish is cooked.
When raw fish appears in meals day after day, vitamin B1 is known to run short.
Where BT-Throb stands
Whether to serve fish raw or cooked — families see this differently. Rather than recommending one over the other, BT-Throb gathers, food by food, the points worth knowing when serving it raw.
Check how the fish was handled at purchase and any preparation it needs, and take it in whatever form suits your dog.