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My 12 kg dog just swallowed a whole raw halibut steak I left on the counter to thaw — what should I do in the next 60 minutes?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Stay calm. Plain halibut is safe for dogs, but raw fish carries a small risk of parasites or bacteria. In the next hour, just watch him. Check for any immediate signs like gagging if a bone fragment is caught, though halibut bones are usually large and easy to see. Don’t induce vomiting. Offer him some fresh water. The main things to monitor over the next 24 hours are vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite — those would point to a bacterial upset. If he seems perfectly normal, he’ll likely be fine. Next time, thaw fish in the fridge where he can’t reach it.

Halibut — Food safety facts

Safe to share · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Safe cooked and plain in small amounts.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Safe to share), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Halibut is not toxic to dogs. The real limit is calories, fat and salt, so treat it as a small extra alongside the normal ration rather than a meal in itself.

There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.

Halibut can stay on the rotation, but only as an extra mouthful: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Halibut food facts page.

Open the full food page: Halibut food facts →