Many dog owners are not really sure if seafood is safe for their dogs. To end that confusion, yes, dogs can eat some kinds of seafood but with limitations. It still depends on the type and how it is prepared.
Some kinds of seafood contain toxins and mercury, and there’s also a risk of contracting bacteria such as salmonella and listeria that can be very harmful to your dog’s health.
Still, dogs can obtain important nutrients from eating seafood. To give you an idea, here are four types of seafood that you can feed your dog:
Fish
Both cooked and raw fish are safe to be eaten by dogs. However, there are certain guidelines to follow to maximize its safety.
For cooked fish, it should be deboned, cooked thoroughly, and cleaned properly before serving. For raw fish, freeze it weeks before seving to eliminate harmful parasites such as roundworms, flukes, and tapeworms.
However, you should always make sure to keep it balanced. Even though it can be safe to eat, too much fish consumption can lead your dog to thiamine deficiency, no matter if it’s cooked or raw. This can cause some diseases and even death.
Shellfish
These are types of seafood that have a protective layer of shell. Lobsters, crabs, shrimps are types of shellfish. Shrimps are the most common shellfish that are usually served to dogs. However, owners should prepare shrimp for dogs occasionally or as a treat only.
Before serving, make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned and the shell has been completely removed. Don’t serve it as a whole meal since too much consumption of any type of shellfish can be a risk of allergic reactions towards your dog. Instead, serve it as a one-time treat.
Imitation crab sticks or fish sticks
Although these are not real seafood, it still contains seafood ingredients. If you’re wondering if your dogs are allowed to eat this, the answer is yes. It’s not harmful, but it does not contain any nutrional value either. Feeding them these imitation seafood sticks does not offer any health benefits. Although these won’t harm them, poor-quality ingredients can still have negative effects on your dog in the long run.
Bivalve Molluscs
Clams, oysters, and scallops belong in the family of bivalve mollusks. Make sure to remove the shells and cook them thoroughly before serving this to your dog.
Mollusks are known to filter sea water, which means the toxins are now in their tissues. Therefore, you can only serve this to your dog as an occasional treat since it could cause harmful effects such as paralytic shellfish poising if consumed too much.
Final Words
Yes, dogs are allowed to eat seafood, but with proper preparation and limitations. As what’s always been said, some food that is beneficial to us humans can be very detrimental to your dog’s health. So, if you are thinking of giving your dog a seafood treat, make sure to follow all the guidelines mentioned above so you can maintain your dog’s good health condition.
