Is it Safe for Dogs to Have Crab Legs (Meat & Shells)
When it comes to meat, dogs are always eager to taste them. Apart from a few breeds that are rather picky about their foods, most of the dog breeds will eat anything that catches their fancy. It is true that seeing them beg for something from your plate can be rather hurting. Nonetheless, it is important that you practice caution while offering any food to your pet dog from your plate. This is especially important when it comes to shellfish and crabs.
There are several dog owners who often wonder whether dogs can eat crabs. It is true that just like humans, there are some dogs that may easily eat crabs. However, there may be some dogs that can be allergic to shellfish. To keep things safe for your mutt, you may offer it a crab without the shell. This is much safer and non-toxic for the dog. However, do not make the mistake of offering a lot of crabs at the same time as it may prove to be bad for the dog’s digestion. It is needless to say that crab meat is packed with vitamins, minerals, and lean protein. All of these are good for you canine friend.
Nonetheless, some of you may still have doubts about the negatives of crab meat for your pet dog. Some of you may still wonder whether there are any drawbacks to feeding crab meat to your pet dog. Whether it is beneficial for dogs and whether they can be allergic to shellfish, are some of the questions that may haunt your mind.
Is It Safe For Your Dog To Have Crab Meat To Consume?
It is quite common for you to understand that seafood and fishes are good for the brain. This is not just applicable for humans but dogs, as well. When it comes to crab meat, it is filled with vitamin B12. This vitamin is highly useful for the proper functioning of the brain and various other internal organs. It is also good for you to know that crab meat is also pretty rich in protein. It is a common knowledge that protein is useful in restoring the cells of your hair, nails, skin, and cartilage of a dog’s body. Thus, if you offer crab meat in moderate quantities to your dog, it will also help to make their coat shinier and boost their kidney functions.
There are some dogs that may suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. If your dog also falls in the same category or has been diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, then consuming crab meat can prove to be highly beneficial for the animal. It will increase the level of these vitamins in its body, which was not the case when your dog was eating other foods. If there are health issues in your pet dog that can be cured by the consumption of crab meat, better consult with your doctor before you go ahead with the idea.
If you take into consideration everything that has been discussed above, it clearly signifies that crab meat is indeed beneficial for dogs. However, it is important for you to keep in mind that it also depends on the way you prepare the crab meat and parts of the meat that you remove.
Is It Possible For Dogs To Eat Crab Shell?
It is good to note that dogs should never eat crab shells. It is certainly bad for canines and may even prove to be dangerous for them. When you prepare crab meat for your dog to eat, always remember to get rid of the shell. Make sure that you do so carefully and get rid of the entire shell, as it may easily break into shards. This can easily get lodged in the throat of your dog. The end result may be choking along with possible injuries to the internal organs. If you ever think that your dog has suffered from internal injuries or is choking due to a crab shell, better rush the poor animal to the nearest vet.
Is It Bad For Canines With Allergies?
It has been determined that apart from the shell, the crab meat in general is rather beneficial for dogs. This is only when you feed your pet dog with just the meat and nothing else. Nonetheless, there are still a few points of concern and dangers when you feed crab meat to dogs. Just like humans, there are some dogs that can be allergic to crab meat. This allergy may also be towards shellfish. Such type of allergy happens due to iodine, which is present in rich quantities in crab meat.
Just like human shellfish allergies, it is only possible to determine if your dog also suffers from it only after it has eaten crab meat. Thus, if your mutt has never tried crab meat earlier, all you need to do is keep an eye on the dog after it has eaten the meat. Check to see if the animal shows any signs of allergic reactions.
Some Vital Signs of Crab Meat Allergies
The symptoms of crab meat allergy is quite similar to that of humans. However, it may be pretty obvious depending on the intensity of the allergy and the quantity of meat the mutt has eaten.
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Face swelling
- Signs of cold
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
It is true that these symptoms are quite common in different other allergies and illnesses. However, it is better to get the symptoms investigated irrespective of the cause as it may prove to be fatal to your pet’s health. If your mutt has eaten crab meat recently and is starting to show signs of allergic reactions, it is better to rush to the nearest vet as soon as possible. There are several allergies that can easily be brought down with the help of proper care at home after you have already visited a vet. However, there are some dogs that develop swelling on their throat and face that may be rather dangerous and may require some severe medical care.
Can Canines Eat Crab Sticks?
It is not a good idea to let your dog eat imitation crab meat sticks. These are certainly not made from real crab meat. Instead these are made from surimi. It is basically a cheap processed fish meat that also contains plenty of food colorings and additives. These types of food lack nutritional value and have a good chance of producing an allergic reaction in mutts. In short, crab meat sticks are not at all good for dogs and should be kept away from canines.
Is It A Good Idea To Offer Crab Salad To Dogs?
The fact that crab salad is good and safe for your dog basically depends on your recipe. If it contains just crab meat and some green vegetables, then there is nothing for you to worry about in terms of allergic reactions. There are several crab salad recipes that include dressings, mayo, onions, and various other seasonings. These are also quite risky for the general health of dogs.
To be more specific, onions are highly toxic for dogs if you offer it in large quantities to your mutt. To cut it short, if you decide to offer crab salad to your dog, there is a great possibility of the animal suffering from diarrhea and getting sick.
What to Do If a Dog Eats a Crab at the Beach?
When you take your dog out for a walk along the beach, there is a great possibility that the animal will come across several interesting things. Most of the time your dog may end up eating something that it should never have eaten. These may include jellyfish and cuttlefish bones. These are highly dangerous for dogs, especially if these are found to be lying around on the beach. However, one of the most common things for dogs to come across on a beach is a dead crab. It is also one of the forbidden things that they always wish to eat.
It is always recommended that you take away dead crabs from your dog’s grasp. If this is not possible, then try and divert their attention to something else and make it get rid of the dead crab immediately. However, most of the time it may so happen that your dog manages to eat a dead crab. As discussed earlier, crab meat is not dangerous for dogs at all. It is the shell that matters the most. When it comes to wild dead crabs, you will always find shells with the meat. It is also possible that the crab may already be rotting by the time your dog eats it.
If your dog has already eaten a dead crab, keep an eye on the dog for any signs of discomfort, such as stomach upset, vomiting, and lethargy. If you notice such signs, take him to a vet as soon as possible. You will also have to seek help from the vet if your dog has trouble swallowing or is vomiting.