Can Dogs Eat Octopus? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Our canine friends will eat any food they can get their paws on, but not all of our food is safe for them to consume. That’s why you should always look into any food you’re considering letting your pup try to ensure that it is non-toxic. Even if it’s food that seems like it should absolutely be safe, like fish, it’s wise to double-check.

Take octopus, for example. While this food is safe for dogs in minimal amounts and has a few nutritional benefits, it also carries several risks. Just how safe is it? Here’s what to know before feeding octopus to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Octopus?

Dogs are safe to eat octopus as long as it is cooked, not seasoned, and in tiny amounts. Octopus contains vitamins, minerals, and more nutrients necessary to a dog’s diet, so it provides some health benefits (which we’ll look at below). But never feed your dog raw octopus! Raw seafood (and raw foods, in general) can wreak havoc on your pup’s digestive system. And while octopus also comes in canned and dried versions, those may contain preservatives that are harmful to your pet. So, unseasoned cooked octopus is the way to go!

Health Benefits of Octopus for Dogs

Octopus has three main health benefits for your pet.

Risks of Feeding Octopus to Dogs

However, although octopus does have nutritional benefits, it also poses a handful of risks to your four-legged friends.

The biggest risk may be the possibility of heavy metal contamination. While octopus has a lower mercury level than other types of seafood, it can still contain this metal (and lead as well). And too many heavy metals in your pet’s body can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. These metals can also cause chaos to the nervous system resulting in more severe health problems.

We mentioned above that you should never feed your dog raw octopus, and here’s why. Octopus that hasn’t been cooked well can contain pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal upset and even infection in your pup. Plus, tentacles from raw octopi will still move after being removed from the body and can cause choking.

Then there’s the high level of sodium to be found in octopus. The octopus is an animal that resides in salt water, so it makes sense it would be pretty salty. But too much salt isn’t great for dogs and can vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.

Finally, octopus may pose a choking hazard to your pup even if cooked. This food can be tough and rubbery, so it can be difficult to chew. So, if your dog simply swallows a too-large piece whole, there could be issues. By ensuring any octopus you cook has been cut into very small bites, though, you should be safe from the risk of choking.

Can Dogs Eat Other Seafood?

You might be wondering if there are safer types of seafood out there that your dog can eat. Though most of the safest options are fish, such as salmon and catfish, your pet can safely consume other seafood options, like anchovies and sardines. However, you’ll need to avoid certain types of fish due to the levels of mercury they contain.

Overall, though, it’s best to stick to regular quality dog food that’s high in protein for your favorite pup. If you think your pet might enjoy the taste of seafood, you can absolutely find dog food that contains fish that will be perfectly safe for your dog to eat.

Final Thoughts

While octopus is safe for dogs to eat in minimal amounts and offers them a handful of nutritional benefits, it also poses several risks. Heavy metals, high amounts of sodium, and bacteria are the most significant potential health risks you’ll find when it comes to octopus, so you’ll need to be especially careful if you give it to your pup. Any octopus fed to your dog should also be plain, cooked, and cut into tiny pieces to reduce the risk of choking.

However, the safest way to get seafood into your pet’s diet is by feeding it good quality dog food containing fish.