Dogs and many other mammals seek animal protein found in fish, chicken, beef, seafood, etc. Meanwhile, crab is a potent source of lean protein, which attracts dogs. But can dogs have crab?
Luckily, crab falls into the category of safe food for dogs. You just need to follow a certain process before letting your dog eat this seafood. For example, you need to cook the crab, remove its shell, cut off its leg parts, etc.
All dogs cannot have crab as it contains iodine, and some dogs are allergic to this chemical compound. For this reason, offering crabs to dogs requires many safety concerns. Read this article to learn about them.
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Can Dogs Have Crab?
Crab not only offers a flavorful taste but also many health benefits. So why not let your four-legged friend have it? If you cook a crab, add no ingredients to it, remove its shell, and offer the white meat, dogs will enjoy the treat. Also, you can be tension-free from any side effects because the right amount of crab can pose hardly any risks to dogs.
Well, these facts go for those dogs who are not allergic and under their vets’ guidance. Let’s say your dog is allergic to seafood or sodium; in that case, crab is not for him. For these reasons, you must exercise some caution and give your best to your dog.
Benefits Of Having Crab For Dogs
Eating crab in the right way can be beneficial for our canine friends. For example, crab is full of lean protein. This can help them gain a good metabolism, healthy brain function, and lower cholesterol levels. In short, crabs can be a boon for dogs with heart diseases and an improper metabolism.
Another nutrient in this meat is vitamin B12. This also promotes brain health along with cell growth.
Crab can be a suitable substitute for dogs who need faster wound healing. Thanks to its zinc, which can alleviate skin issues and improve the immune system.
The omega-3 fatty acids present in this seafood can ward off kidney diseases and heart diseases in dogs. Besides, they will take care of their skin and coat’s health.
Risks Of Having Crab For Dogs
It won’t be surprising if dogs have to deal with side effects after eating crab. This mostly happens when they don’t eat it the right way. For instance, the shells of both cooked crab and raw crab are hard to digest. It can block dogs’ intestines, resulting in difficulty breathing, blocked oesophagus, drooling, vomiting, etc. Sometimes blood comes out with their vomit and watery poop when the shell tears their GI tract. Since dogs are curious animals, they may not differentiate between the shell and the meat and gulp the whole crab.
Don’t think only the shell of the crab is a problem for dogs. Raw crabs can be dangerous too, even if you remove their shells. They are prone to bacteria and pathogens, which can lead to Salmonella if ingested. When a dog eats a raw crab, he will feel weak, vomit, drool, and have diarrhoea.
As said earlier, crabs can help dogs with heart disease. But if they take it in large quantities, this can make their heart condition worse. Since crabs come from salty water, they are high in sodium. This can increase dogs’ blood pressure and cholesterol levels. As a result, they can feel restless and dehydrated.
How To Offer Crab To Dogs?
Whether your dog is going to have benefits or side effects from eating crab depends on how he eats it. That’s why you must be certain of the rules for offering this seafood to him.
We know raw crabs are a no-no for our paw friends, so you must cook them first. So take a crab, cook it, steam it, boil it, or bake it, but don’t add any ingredients. Salt, spices, and seasonings are toxic for dogs, which can cause them gastrointestinal upset.
After cooking the crab, remove its shell. Also, cut the leg parts. The shell and the leg parts of the crab can choke dogs’ throats. Offer the white meat only.
Don’t let your dog eat the crab so relentlessly. First, offer him a tiny amount of the crab’s meat. See if he is showing any reaction or not. You can only continue feeding him if he is comfortable eating the meat.
When Can Dogs Have Crab?
Unfortunately, crab may not be the best friend of all dogs. It contains high levels of iodine, and some dogs can’t withstand iodine. If your dog is allergic to iodine, he should avoid eating crab. That’s why it is important to ask his vet before introducing him to any food.
Also, we know crab is high in cholesterol and sodium, which is not good for dogs with high blood pressure or heart disease. So make sure your dog doesn’t have such health issues before letting him eat crab.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Crab?
Can dogs eat crab every day?
The nutrients present in crabs are present in dog foods, too. It means dogs get almost all the necessary nutrients from their daily intake. Offering the crab would be extra for them, and it can even lead to health risks. Hence, consider offering crab to your dog occasionally.
Is imitation crab safe for dogs?
The imitation crab is unlike the real crab. It contains white meat with several additives. All its ingredients are unnatural, which can be unsafe for dogs.
Which part of the crab should dogs eat?
Dogs should eat the meat or flesh of the crab, not the shell, head, and legs. These parts are hard and can lead to intestinal blockages.
How many crabs can dogs have?
Dogs should have crab in moderation. A small dog can eat half a tablespoon of crab, a medium dog can eat one tablespoon of it, and a large dog can eat up to two teaspoons of it.
Final Thoughts
Crab can sometimes pose health threats to our paw friends, which makes us think, Can dogs have crab? The answer is yes; they can have the white meat of crab if it is cooked and if the dog is not allergic to iodine or seafood.
It won’t be surprising if our dog gulps a whole crab, as they are always curious. In that case, you must try to take the crab out of his mouth without panicking. Try to divert his mind by offering any safe food to him so that he throws out the crab from his mouth. If, by chance, he swallows the crab with a shell, informs his vet and offers him urgent treatment.
