Can Dogs Eat Crab? Are Crabs Good or Bad For Your Dog?

Healthy food for dogs is as beneficial as it is for humans. As a dog parent, you always wanted your dog to eat food that is beneficial for his health. You always want to share whatever you eat with your dog. You share your pooch cookies and snacks, and in return, your dog loves you unconditionally.

Sharing human food with your pooch seems loving but it can be harmful sometimes. But as dogs are meat lovers, so how about feeding crabs to your dog. You might think can dogs eat crab? Are they beneficial for your dog?

In the majority of cases, crabs are safe for dogs, but they should be properly cooked. Cooked crabs contain lots of proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. Proteins and omega-3 helps your dog to maintain health, and reduce the risk of sickness.

Can Dogs Eat Crab? Benefits of Eating Crabs

Apparently, YES. Dogs can eat crabs. As it contains essential vitamins and proteins that are necessary for your dog’s health. It also contains vitamin B12 and zinc that help increasing metabolism. 

Crabs have many benefits for your dog’s health. We have enlisted some of the major benefits that your dog will gain after eating crabs.

You can also read more about healthy dog foods like plantains, granola, basil, and prunes.

1) Proteins:

Crabmeat is fully enriched with minerals and proteins. Proteins give dogs the required energy and refurbish the body cells. 3 ounce serving of crabs contains almost 16 grams of protein.

Proteins work as a life-savers for dogs. Because without proteins a dog cannot survive for long. It also helps dogs to control shedding if your dog sheds a lot. It provides dogs with amino acids that will help them in producing hair, nails, muscles, and skin.

2) Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:

Some dogs have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which prevents them to produce vitamin B12. As crabs contain vitamin B12, so in such cases, vets suggest giving your dog crabs. Vitamin B12 in crabs helps your dog to recover from the insufficiency of the pancreas.

Being a responsible dog owner, you must know the importance of taking care of your dog’s pancreas. You should be caring enough to give your dog a proper diet, and vitamins. This will keep your dog healthy internally as well as externally.

3) Hunger Temptations:

Crabs are the best food to give your dog if he is suffering from anorexia. Anorexia is a situation in which dogs avoid eating food or they may feel difficulty in eating due to different reasons. Crabmeat can be the solution if your dog is having anorexia.

Due to the soft, small texture of crabs, dogs find them appetizing. Dogs can swallow crabs easily due to their size. Also, crabs have a tempting smell to attract dogs. Try giving your dog crabs if he is avoiding food or facing difficulty in eating food.

4) Omega-3 and Zinc:

One of the biggest benefits of crabs is that it contains omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the sickness rates in your dog. It can also boost your kidneys, strengthen your heart and help your pooch to fight cancer. 

Besides omega-3, crabs also contain zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium. All of them play different roles in your dog’s body like;

• Zinc boosts up the immunity level and ensures that proteins and enzymes are working properly.
• Phosphorus helps in maintaining a dog’s bone to be healthy and strong.
• Magnesium controls the hormone level as hormones are so important in one’s body. 

Can Dogs Eat Crabs? Risks Associated With Eating Crabs

As of now, we get to know numerous benefits of eating crabs. But crabs contain a high amount of iodine which can be harmful to your dog. An excessive amount of salt can lead your dog to health problems. 

Below we have enlisted some of the side effects of eating crabs as a daily routine:

1) Allergies:

Dogs are sensitive to salt and crabs contain a high amount of iodine which can be allergic for your dog. If your dog is fond of eating crabs, observe him keenly. Whenever you feel any symptom of allergy, immediately stop giving crabs to your dog.

Symptoms of an allergy include diarrhea, an upset stomach, and a watery nose. These symptoms are more likely to remain up to 5 hours. If your dog still feels un-well after 5 hours, rush to the vet as soon as possible.

2) Bacteria:

Crabs and other kinds of seafood are more likely to develop bacteria that can cause food poisoning in your dog. Dogs’ bodies are sensitive and cannot tolerate the digestion of bacteria. So, it is necessary to remove bacteria before eating crabs. 

If you want to feed crabs to your dog, you can give him baked, steamed, boiled, or grilled crabs. After cooking the bacteria will get vanished and crabs will be safe for your dog. If your dog has eaten uncooked crabs, then keep monitoring him or take him to the vet.

3) Crab Shells:

Crab shells are sharp and hard and can be very difficult for dogs to digest. It can get stuck in your dog’s mouth or throat and can cause choking problems. If your dog swallows the crab shell, it can damage the stomach infection leading to death. 

Shells can infect your dog’s gums and teeth and lead to a slow death. You must prevent your dog from eating crabs shell. If your dog mistakenly eats the shell, take him to the vet before it gets too late.

4) Hypernatremia:

Offering crabs to your dog as a delightful treat sounds good but it is not good on daily basis. An excessive amount of sodium and cholesterol in crabs can make your dog suffer through hypernatremia. Hypernatremia can cause high blood pressure, dehydration, vomiting, and heart disease in dogs.

Limit the number of crabs in your dog’s meals. If your dog has eaten a large number of crabs, keep observing his activities. If you notice any unusual activity, take your dog to the professionals for treatment.

Can Dogs Eat Crab? Precautions for Crab Consumptions

If your dog wants to eat crabs and you also don’t want to hurt your dog by saying no. Then you can take the following precautionary measure before giving him crabs.

1) Adequate Amount:

As we discussed above, eating too many crabs can be dangerous for a dog’s stomach. Hence, you should give your dog an adequate amount of crabs and that too under your supervision. Also, make ensure that your dog is not allergic to meat.

2) Fresh Crab Meat:

Make sure to feed your dog fresh crabs if he is fond of eating them. Leftover crabs can have chances of bacteria in them and they can also cause food poisoning. Such a situation can make your dog extremely sick.

3) Canned Crab Meat:

You can also buy some canned crabs for your dog. Canned foods are usually full of preservatives and have been through many safety processes. It will keep your dog safe from any infection or bacteria.

Can Dogs Eat Crab? Final Thoughts:

In the conclusion to “can dogs eat crabs?” the answer is YES, but in a limited quantity. No doubt crabs contain numbers of benefits but it is still not so safe for dogs. If you want your dog to enjoy crabs, don’t forget to remove crab shells, as they can be harmful. 

If your dog is allergic to meat, then try preventing your dog from crabs. It is better to consult your dog’s vet before giving him crabs or introducing any new food.