Can dogs eat tuna? And cats?
An occasional bite of cooked or canned-in-water tuna is fine; not a regular food.
Cats love it, but frequent tuna risks mercury exposure and an unbalanced diet.
Tuna is not toxic, and a bite of water-packed tuna is a fine occasional treat. The problem is frequency: tuna is relatively high in mercury, and cats fed tuna-heavy diets can develop nutritional imbalances and become addicted enough to refuse proper food. Treat it as a garnish, not a meal.
Signs to watch for
- Long-term excess: poor coat, appetite fixation, mercury accumulation
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control people-foods guidance, Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Poison Helpline. Verdicts are conservative by design: where evidence is thin we choose the stricter rating.
This is general educational information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt about your own pet, ask your veterinarian.
If your pet just ate something risky, act now: call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (consultation fees may apply).