It’s normal to want to share your food with your pup. After all, they’re part of the family, too. Whether you like to sneak them a few snacks in their dog bowl throughout the day or make their meals homemade, adding new protein options every now and then, you’ve likely wondered whether or not your pup can enjoy crab with you.

Can dogs eat crab meat? Is crab nutritious for dogs? Is crab safe for dogs?

While crab seems to be a nutritious and delicious treat for your pup, it can actually do more harm than good in some cases. 

This guide takes a closer look at whether or not your pup can enjoy crab meat, risks to know about, and how to make sure your dog stays safe and healthy while enjoying their diet. 

 

Is crab meat safe for dogs to eat? In some cases, yes, crab is safe for dogs to eat. It is not toxic and provides a range of benefits your pup can enjoy. 

However, there are important risks to be aware of that may make this protein cause more harm than good. 

We believe every ingredient in your dog’s food should have a purpose. If a food doesn’t have a nutritional purpose, such as containing nutrients, vitamins, minerals, energy, or protein, then your dog is likely getting empty calories. 

So, evaluating all the benefits of a new food before feeding it to your pup is essential for giving them the best diet possible. Here are some of the benefits of crab meat! 

Crab meat is an excellent source of lean protein. 

Protein is vital in your dog’s diet. Protein provides ten essential amino acids your pup can’t make on their own. Amino acids are vital for multiple physical functions, making protein necessary for canine health. 

Crab meat is a great source of lean protein you can incorporate into your dog’s diet to reap these benefits.

Crab meat also contains vitamins and minerals that help promote mental and physical wellness. 

For example, crab contains zinc, which is vital for immune system health, proper functioning of enzymes, and skin health. Crab also contains vitamin B12, which promotes cognitive health. 

Another benefit of crab meat is the rich concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. 

Fatty acids are excellent tools that help support heart health, skin health, and renal function. Dogs need fatty acids to produce energy and grow adequately. 

Crab meat can be beneficial for your pup when it’s properly cooked and prepared. Even so, it’s important to be aware of some of the risks of feeding crab meat to your furry family member. 

First, the shell of a crab can be dangerous if swallowed. 

Your dog should never eat raw crab meat, especially straight from the beach. The shell can not only cause pain and discomfort in the mouth, but it can tear through the intestines and the GI tract. This can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream. 

Raw crab can also carry parasites that live and thrive in the intestines. This can lead to further damage, discomfort, and health concerns. 

Crab meat is also naturally high in sodium, iodine, and cholesterol. While these aren’t harmful in small quantities, they can cause harm when consumed in excess. 

Even when crab is cooked properly, and the shell is removed, it can still pose a threat for dogs. 

Crab meat is a common canine allergy, causing discomfort and irritation as well as severe reaction in rarer cases. If you decide to introduce crab meat to your pup, do so slowly and monitor your dog’s symptoms closely. 

What’s the best way to tell whether your dog is adjusting to a new food well or not? The proof is in the poop! Pay close attention to your dog’s poops to see whether there are any changes or noticeable discomfort. You can also look out for the symptoms explained in this canine allergy guide! 

If symptoms appear, stop feeding your dog crab and talk to a trusted veterinarian right away. If you’re considering feeding your pup crab meat, it's important to weigh the risks and benefits beforehand. 

Dogs can eat crab meat safely, but there are many risks involved with doing so. Do these risks apply to imitation crab as well?

Let’s break it down.

Many dog parents will assume that imitation crab is the safe version of crab meat. This is true to an extent. Imitation crab is actually just other types of fish combined with additives, preservatives, and other artificial ingredients. While imitation crab doesn’t pose the same risks for your pup, they do pose different risks.

Part of being healthy involves eating a healthy diet. This means choosing healthy foods, whole grains, whole fruits, and other foods that don’t have the processing, preservatives, additives, and chemicals used by major food factories. 

Eating healthy is important for you, but it’s also important for your furry friend. In other words, it’s best to avoid feeding your pup foods stuffed with unnatural ingredients, which includes imitation crab. 

Overall, heavily limiting crab meat and avoiding imitation crab is the best for your pup’s diet. 

Luckily, there are many sources of lean protein that act as alternatives to crab meat. These include chicken, turkey, and lean beef. 

These alternatives to crab meat are excellent sources of nutrition and protein for your pup to enjoy. It’s important to note that chicken can sometimes cause an allergic reaction or stomach irritation, so turkey and beef are often better options.

What your dog eats is important, so the foods you choose as a dog mom or dad are important, too. 

Here at Sundays, we know how important it is for you to spend every moment you can with your furry BFF.

That’s why we do the hard work for you. Take a look at our ingredients here to learn more!

SOURCES: 

YOUR DOG'S NUTRITIONAL NEEDS | The National Academies