Can Dogs Eat Crab and Crab Meat? – Is It Safe for Dogs?
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Beaches are common vacationing spots around the world, and it’s always a lot more fun if you bring your dog along with you. If you spend a lot of time at the ocean with your dog, it won’t be long before you are wondering if it’s ok to feed them crab meat. If your reading this because you just caught your dog eating some and you want to know if it will be ok, the answer is yes, but there is a lot to think about before you give your dog crab treats on purpose.
Is Crab Meat Good for My Dog?
Here are some of the benefits your dog can receive from eating a small amount of cooked crab.
- Real crab meat comes from real crabs. It’s high in protein, which is excellent for developing strong muscles and a shiny, healthy coat. Protein also provides energy for your dog’s activities.
- Crab is high in Vitamin B12, which is essential for intestinal health, and it can significantly increase brain functions and is necessary for the nervous system. Vitamin B12 also helps with the creation of new blood cells. Lack of B12 can cause a reduction in energy, weakness, and plenty of other health problems.
- Crab is high in zinc, which is an essential part of the immune system. Larger dogs especially have an increased need for zinc.
- Crab is high in Iodine. Iodine is vital for a properly functioning thyroid gland, according to WikiVet. The downside to Iodine is that a very small number of dogs are allergic to it.
Is Crab Meat Bad for my Dog?
Here are some reasons you may choose to avoid feeding crab and crab meat to your dog.
- Some dogs are allergic to crab, so you want to start them out with tiny amounts to make sure they don’t have an adverse reaction. If they begin vomiting or have diarrhea, they are allergic.
- Crab is high in sodium. Sodium causes many of the same problems in dogs as it does in humans. It also makes them very thirsty and can lead to a higher body temperature. Too much sodium can lead to heart disease.
- Crab is high in cholesterol and fatty, which is hard for dogs to digest and could lead to stomach issues according to PetMD.
Is Crab Meat Dangerous to My Dog?
There are two main dangers associated with your dog eating crab. The first danger is that raw crab meat often carries intestinal parasites that can be quite harmful to your pet. The second danger is the spiked shell. This shell can cause terrible damage if your pet should swallow it, and you will require a trip to the veterinarian.
Only feed your dog cooked crab meat without the shell.
Imitation Crab Meat
Imitation crab meat is not crab meat. It is a highly processed blend of whitefish, packed with sodium, preservatives, and many other ingredients that should not be food. Never feed imitation crab meat to your pet.
How Do I Prepare the Crab Meat?
The best way to prepare crab meat for your pet is to remove the shell and boil it. Don’t use any butter or spices. Once it’s cooked, let it cool on some paper towels before breaking off small pieces for your pet. You can cover and refrigerate the crab for several days to use as treats.
Summary
Crabmeat can make a great occasional treat for your dog that doesn’t contain the sugars, fats, and carbohydrates that many other treats have. Make sure you start with tiny amounts to make sure there is no reaction to the crab or the Iodine in the crab. Never give your pet a live crab or allow them to eat imitation crab meat. Use fresh crabs and make the treats yourself whenever possible to make sure there are no chemicals or preservatives.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this short guide and have learned something new. If we have helped clear up any question you have had about whether it’s safe for your dog to eat crab and crab meat, please share this article on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
