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Is fennel safer for my 8 kg dog with a sensitive stomach than anise, and how much of each is acceptable?

Cats · Food safety

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

Short answer

Fennel and anise belong to the same plant family and share similar compounds, but fennel bulb contains higher concentrations of estragole, which can irritate a sensitive digestive tract. For an 8 kg dog, a small piece of cooked fennel bulb is generally well tolerated, while anise seed should be offered even more sparingly due to its stronger essential oil content. Start with half a teaspoon of finely chopped fennel and watch for loose stools or gas over the next day. Neither herb is toxic in small amounts, but fennel is the gentler choice for a dog with known stomach sensitivity.

Sushi — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

Rice is fine, but wasabi, pickled ginger and raw fish are not.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Sushi is not poisonous to cats, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Raw animal protein carries Salmonella and E. coli risk, and those bacteria can spread to the people in the household too.

Sushi can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

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

Open the full food page: Sushi food facts →