Believe it or not, dogs can eat seafood. They can, for example, enjoy scallops, squid, and shrimp without experiencing any adverse effects.
How about crab? Is crabmeat safe for dogs to eat?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat crab. Crabmeat is not only delicious but also nutritious, so your dog will gain more than one benefit from chowing down on it.
However, feeding dogs crab carries some risks. For this reason, you should give your pooch only small amounts of crab as well as make sure the meat is prepared in a dog-friendly way.
With that in mind, let’s explore the ins and outs of feeding dogs crab!
Is Crabmeat Good for Dogs?
Crabmeat boasts a wealth of nutrients vital to every dog’s health. These nutrients are as follows:
Protein
Protein is found in abundance in crabmeat.
This nutrient is necessary for the formation and maintenance of tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. It also helps with blood, skin, muscle, nail, and hair formation.
In addition, the breakdown of protein results in the production of amino acids, which sustain a dog’s life and provides them with the energy they need to stay mobile. High-energy breeds, such as those bred for work, are in particular need of protein-rich foods such as crab.
Vitamins
Crabmeat is loaded with vitamins that ensure a dog stays healthy.
Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) keeps the brain healthy and plays a role in various metabolic processes. It’s also essential to cell function.
Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is required for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, and other metabolic functions.
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) aids in the metabolism of amino acids and the production of neurotransmitters.
Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) is necessary for the production of energy. It also helps metabolize protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
Niacin (Vitamin B3) is involved in energy production, blood circulation, enzyme function, fat production, and various other processes.
Minerals
Crab is known for having high levels of minerals that are crucial to every dog’s survival.
Copper is involved in proper heart and immune system function, bone tissue and hemoglobin formation, the synthesis and function of a range of enzymes, and the development of connective tissue.
Selenium helps with immune system and thyroid function. It also protects cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Zinc plays a role in the healing of wounds, immune system function, protein synthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, it’s involved in more than 100 enzyme functions.
Phosphorus is a requirement in many biological functions. It’s also involved in protein and amino acid synthesis, cell growth, and energy use and storage.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Crab has a considerable amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit the health of a dog’s coat, skin, and joints. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps wounds to heal.
Can Crabmeat Be Bad for Dogs?
Despite the benefits crabmeat provides, this seafood can harm a dog in various ways. You should therefore consult with a vet before feeding your dog crab. Also, crabmeat should only be used as an occasional treat and never a regular component of your dog’s diet.
The problems a dog may experience after eating crab include:
Allergic reaction
Crabmeat is abundant in iodine, a chemical element some dogs are extremely sensitive to.
If your dog can’t tolerate iodine, eating crab could result in an allergic reaction, whose symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Facial swelling
- Inflamed, reddish skin
- Sneezing
- Runny ears
- Excessive licking
If a dog’s allergic reaction is severe, they can go into anaphylactic shock, which involves a sudden, drastic drop in blood pressure and extreme breathing difficulty due to the narrowing of the airways. This can be deadly if not treated quickly.
As such, you should contact a vet immediately if your dog displays any of the above symptoms following shrimp ingestion. If said reaction is severe, rush your pooch to the pet clinic or hospital as they’ll need emergency treatment. Hesitation can have fatal consequences.
To protect your dog from the dangers of allergic reactions, make sure you have a vet determine what foods they’re allergic to.
Salt toxicity
Crabmeat is high in a mineral called sodium. Consuming excess salt can result in dangerous dehydration, which affects the muscles and kills brain cells, causing dizziness, seizures, and other issues.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Incoordination
- Extreme thirst, causing excessive drinking and urination
- Confusion
- Respiratory problems
- Rapid heartbeat
In severe cases of salt toxicity, a dog can even experience:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
Untreated salt toxicity can result in death. If your dog displays the above symptoms after eating a bunch of crabmeat, reach out to a vet as soon as possible.
Weight gain
Because crabmeat is high in cholesterol, feeding it regularly to your dog can contribute to unnecessary weight gain. This can even culminate in obesity, which is linked to serious chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Parasitic infestation
Intestinal parasites may be found in raw or undercooked crab. This is why you must properly cook crabmeat before feeding it to your dog.
A dog with intestinal parasites will display symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea which may contain mucus or blood
- Scooting
- Bloated abdomen
- Decreased activity
- Weight loss
- Dull coat
The problem of intestinal parasites can be easily treated by a veterinarian.
The crab shell is extremely tough and sharp; feeding even small pieces of it to your dog can result in a range of issues.
For example, the shell may get stuck in the throat to cause choking. Alternatively, it could obstruct the intestines, a potentially lethal situation that is usually fixed via surgery. The shell’s sharp edges could also cause internal injury.
For all these reasons, never feed dogs the crab shell.
The Right Way to Feed Dogs Crab
To ensure the safety of your pet, crab has to be prepared in a way that’s appropriate for canine consumption.
Cook the crabmeat
Crab should be cooked and its shell removed before feeding it to your dog.
The meat can be steamed, roasted, baked, or boiled. Steaming preserves the most nutrients, making it the ideal cooking technique if you’re planning to feed crab to your dog. Boiling, on the other hand, removes nutrients from the crab, making it the worst option. Don’t feed your dog fried crab, as fried food can make them ill.
Never use seasonings or ingredients when cooking crab for a dog. Unnecessary additives such as salt, sugar, spices, herbs, dairy, fat, or oil can harm or even kill your dog. In short, keep the crabmeat as plain as possible.
Introduce crab to your dog gradually
When giving your dog their first taste of crab, make sure you feed them only a few slices of crabmeat. Afterward, observe them for symptoms of an allergic reaction, salt poisoning, digestive problems, and other issues. If your dog falls ill after eating crab, contact your vet for advice.
If your dog experiences no concerns after crabmeat ingestion, wait a couple of days before giving them a larger serving size of crab. In the following weeks, gradually increase this serving size every feeding session; this will allow your dog’s digestive system to get used to the new food.
Once it’s evident your dog can eat crabmeat safely, you can feed them a consistent amount of the food per week.
Feed your dog crab in moderation
You should only feed your dog small amounts of crab as an occasional treat. A few slices of crabmeat around twice a week should therefore suffice.
Remember to feed a smaller dog smaller amounts of crab.
Always consult a vet first
It bears repeating: always seek a veterinarian’s advice before giving your dog new food. A vet will determine whether or not crab is good for your pet and how much of it they can eat. This will prevent allergic reactions and other potential issues.
Can dogs eat raw crab?
No. Raw or undercooked crab may be home to parasites that can infest your dog’s gut, causing them great distress. Cooking crab kills these parasites, making the meat safe for dogs to eat.
Can dogs eat fried crab?
Fried food is oily and high in fat, making it bad for dogs. If your dog eats fried crab, they may end up suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion. Regularly feeding your pet fried crab can lead to bigger issues, such as obesity and related conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Conclusion
Crab is an excellent source of nutrients beneficial to all dogs. However, this seafood can also cause any pooch a variety of problems if it isn’t prepared properly or is fed to them in great quantities.
If you want your dog to have some crab, make sure to feed them small portions of its meat in moderation. And don’t forget to contact a vet if they experience any issues!