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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Should You Add Raw Smelt to Your Dog's Diet?

During a recent online shopping trip for Oz’s next raw food order, I happened into the Raw Paws Pet Food Whole Prey section (affiliate link) of their website where they sell raw fish, specifically Mackerel and Smelt.  Until this recent purchase, I had not ordered fish for Oz because, though I know he loves fish, I wasn’t sure I could trust him to chew the fish well enough before swallowing it.  *Cue visions of my dog choking on his food*  But, I did end up ordering one three-pound bag of Smelt and I was proven wrong on how well Oz can chew.

Oz the Terrier with recent purchase from Raw Paws Pet Food - raw smelt

However, I had not fully researched feeding raw Smelt to a dog until the order arrived at my home.  Probably not the smartest way to go about it but at least I now know the good and the bad of feeding raw Smelt to a dog as well as how to avoid the bad altogether, which is easy to do if you are a seasoned or well-informed raw feeder.

Smelt – The Good
In researching Smelt for its nutritional value, I found that these little fish are jam-packed with essential fatty acids and a variety of vitamins and minerals that provide great health benefits to dogs and humans.  (Incidentally, I came across a lot of recipes for Smelt but after handling them for Oz, I don’t think I could ever eat one.)  So what good stuff is in Smelt?

Several of the B family of vitamins including Vitamin B12 (necessary for the bone marrow to produce red blood cells), Thiamin and Riboflavin (essential for growth, muscle development and function, and healthy coat), Vitamin B6 (essential for utilization of amino acids in the body) and Niacin (necessary for proper enzyme function in the body);

Potassium, an electrolyte which is necessary for proper functioning of enzymes, muscles and nerves;

Calcium, another electrolyte that helps build strong bones and muscles as well as helps support heart muscle contraction; and

Omega-3 Fatty Acids which help reduce inflammation, improve skin and coat, prevent certain heart problems and maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Oz the Terrier - should you add raw smelt into your dogs diet

Smelt – The Bad
Smelt is one of several fish that contain Thiaminase.  It is an enzyme that splits Thiamin, or Vitamin B1, in the body and renders that vitamin inactive.  Thiamin is an important B family vitamin that converts glucose (sugar) into energy which is necessary for normal function of both muscles and nerves.  So, for an enzyme to come and basically destroy that vitamin in the body is not a good thing.

It should be noted that in veterinary medicine, a thiamin deficiency is associated with pets that are fed a large amount of raw fish.  Along with Smelt, Herring and Catfish contain Thiaminase as well.  Of course, if you cook the fish, it will destroy the Thiaminase so there is nothing to worry about.  But what if you are feeding the fish raw?

Though it contains Thiaminase, it is still possible for a dog to eat raw Smelt so long as it is not the bulk of the dog’s diet.  Since many raw feeders alternate their proteins anyway, one or two meals a week of raw Smelt will provide the dog with all the health benefits of the fish but will not cause a Thiamin deficiency.

I have been giving Oz one or two meals a week of raw Smelt and he is still his normal self.  I will not make Smelt his main protein source.  You may be wondering why feed Smelt at all and I can relate to that however, I have a big bag of Smelt I already purchased so I will keep feeding it…for now. 

Next time, I may purchase the Mackerel and give those a try as I have not seen anything about Mackerel containing Thiaminase.  Of course, they are bigger fish which brings me right back to square one with Oz and his ability to chew it well before swallowing.

What are your thoughts about adding raw fish into your dog’s diet?




33 comments:

  1. The only raw fish we get are the ones that are discarded at the river (feral carp), and they're usually a bit dried out. We have to be quick because the peeps take it away. We just had a whole, plump chicken leg (raw) with our kibble. We love that.

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    1. Discarded at the river? By whom? I think Carp is one of the fishes that contains Thiaminase too so be careful not to eat too many!

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  2. we never tried raw fish, there are so much warnings around not only for pets, for people too, so we rather cook or grill our fishies :o)

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    1. Yes, that's true and Oz does love cooked fish as well...and tinned fish too.

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  3. I do luffs fishy in my dishy butts I've nefer had raw. Previous paws Mia had a mainly raw diet but she was on that when the peeps got her, me I was on my Royal Canin which I luffs still
    (oh that and scottie shortbread which I finks I luffed tooo much!)
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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    1. I think even cooked fish is good for you, Princess Leah. I am glad you get to eat some.

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  4. the boys have always loved fish too - it is just me that has trouble with the fishy smell :)

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    1. I can relate but I will admit this fresh frozen fish, when defrosted, does not have a strong fishy smell...like most fresh fish. The stinkier the fish, the older it is.

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  5. THANK YOU for your blog today on Smelt!! I feed my dog raw but I have never tried Smelt or Mackerel. Interesting I just might have to buy a bag Mackerel.

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    1. You are welcome! I think I will try the Mackerel next time. If you get some before me, let me know your thoughts on it!

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    2. We feed mackerel on a regular basis during crab season. Our grocery stores sell it for crab bait and we stock up. Sardines are another whole fish we feed. I've never fed smelt, but I think it would be a good addition. We do fish around twice a week and it's only a part of their meal, but for those who cannot feed whole fish regularly, salmon oil in a bottle is a great alternative. Oily fish is important.

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  6. Interesting! I can't comment too much, as I do not know all that much about raw. But I bet you have super tasty dinners! NOMS!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  7. Oh me oh my....Mom says she can only imagine what raw smelt...smells like. She does not really like the smell of fish. She and Dad eat salmon but it isn't too smelly especially when she marinates it. NOW for me...I'm all about the fishy smells
    Hugs madi your bfff

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    1. Madi, you tell your mom that this is fresh, frozen fish so it doesn't smell that stinky at all. I bet you would love it.

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  8. The stinkier the better
    Lily & Edward

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    1. Yes, I love treats that are made with fish because they are extra stinky!

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  9. I'm not a fan of the smell of fish, but I do know schools of smelt look beautiful underwater when the are alive ;-).

    Thanks so much for your words of encouragement on my post this morning!

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    1. LOL. Don't make us feel bad about eating beautiful fish. These fish really don't smell bad at all since they are fresh. And...you are very welcome.

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  10. They look like little minnows! I'm sure Shiner would love to have some of those.

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    1. Oh, I am sure too Miss Ann. Shiner would love them!

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  11. It's green beans instead of smelt for our dogs. They don't destroy the B1.

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  12. Our dogs don't eat smelt, but they do eat sardines and mackerel. I order it through our local raw food co-op and share a 50# box with friends. It's so healthy and great for our dogs.

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    1. Oz has had sardines; I am still hesitant on the Mackerel since they are bigger but I will probably try them next!

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  13. OMD! My mom would never go near us again if we ate a fish like that! She has such a fish food phobia! Only recently are we allowed to have some fish treats or jerky. I bet it is tasty and you love it, though.

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  14. I was thinking about adding some canned salmon to the boys meals once in a while. They could chew those bones. I am worried about the other types.

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  15. WE only get Cookered up Sammin and sometimes cookered Sour Deens... we LOVE THEM BOTH...

    Our mom always says... EVERYTHINGY in MODERATION... so we think Some of those smelt thingys would be FINE fur YOU...

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  16. I've never had fish before but I've rolled in it.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  17. Love the cute look on Oz looking at smelts! ;) Must be fun treats to try!

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  18. Mine LOVE when they get raw fish!

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  19. Those things are pretty slimy looking! Which is probably one of the reasons I don't feed raw...too squeamish maybe? I make my hubby cut up sardines to add to the dogs food, and they certainly love those though.
    Honestly, I think most things are fine as long as you feed them in moderation anyway.
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

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  20. ohhh my husband would be eating those he loves smelt.

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  21. My dog loves sardines, salmon and catfish. So I had an opportunity to buy 3 pounds of smelt and she won't touch it!!! :( Any ideas why? I don't think it smells any worse than the other fish she eats. I tried lightly cooking it, freezing it and my last hope for that huge bag of fish that I won't be eating (and obviously neither will she...) is to try to grind it up and bake it into come cookies. Anybody else have a similar challenge???

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  22. I'm new to raw and fish I can cetch brook trout an rainbows and bass what is your opinion about those

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Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier