Why size doesn’t dictate risk with plain fish
Your terrier’s smaller body weight isn’t a factor here—plain baked cod lacks concentrated toxins that require dose calculations. The 25 kg lab’s avoidance is likely preference, not instinct. Dogs process marine proteins easily unless they have specific allergies.
What matters is cooking method: baking preserves cod’s low-fat benefits while frying adds gut-irritating oils. Check if the chunk had skin—crispy fish skin sometimes upsets sensitive stomachs despite being non-toxic.
Digestive differences between small and large dogs
An 8 kg dog’s system may react more noticeably to new foods simply due to proportion. What’s a snack for the lab becomes a meal for the terrier. Expect possible loose stools from the sudden protein increase, but this isn’t poisoning.
Small breeds often show fullness discomfort—if your terrier paces or whines after eating, it’s likely just overfull. Offer water but withhold food for 4–6 hours to let digestion catch up.
When shared meals become problematic
The real danger would be if the cod was marinated or basted—common glazes contain garlic or xylitol. Plain means no sauces, rubs, or drippings. Verify the baking tray wasn’t lined with onion slices underneath the fish.
Dogs that regularly steal human food need training—not because cod is risky, but because the next stolen item might be toxic. Use baby gates during meal prep if this is recurring behavior.
Monitoring multi-dog households post-incident
Even without symptoms, check both dogs’ water intake for 48 hours. Salt content varies by fish preparation—increased drinking is the first sign of mild sodium overload. Normal is about 1 cup per 10 lbs daily.
Terriers often exhibit energy spikes after protein-rich meals. If yours seems hyperactive at night, leash-walk to settle their stomach. Lab’s disinterest likely continues—don’t force fish on reluctant eaters.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Cod food facts page.