Are you thinking of feeding your dog crab meat?
Canines obviously love meat and actually thrive on it, but is crab okay?
Here’s the deal:
You’d be smart to keep it simple when sharing with your dog. Delicious crab recipes tend to have various other ingredients that could complicate matters.
Otherwise, crab is loaded with excellent nutrients including protein and vitamins.
Dogs Can Eat Crab Meat
It’s not off limits, though canine consumption should only be allowed in moderation.
The truth is crab may or may not cause your dog to have an upset stomach and/or diarrhea. But this is the case pretty much anytime you introduce a new food!
Basically, crab is healthy assuming Fido’s tummy can tolerate it.
If so, that’s great! This crustacean is low in calories and saturated fat which generally makes it great for dogs.
Crab’s Excellent Nutrients
What stands out about crab meat is the incredible amount of vitamin-B12.
This will be beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. It also has omega-3 fatty acids and several types of anti-inflammatories.
Crab is loaded with protein and generally supports the immune system.
From a nutritional standpoint, it’s similar to serving up fish.
What we love about it is the low calorie, low fat makeup. Crab won’t overload your dog’s regular diet.
Sweet tasting crab meat is a light treat that will not cause weight gain. And the fact that it may boost your dog’s energy is awesome!
Allergies And The Downside
One reason to be cautious about crab meat is that your dog may be allergic. This is unlikely, but just to be sure, start with a very small serving size. Withhold larger amounts for several hours.
Again, as with most foods, there are downsides to including crab in a dog’s diet.
This type of meat contains high levels of sodium. It remains a healthy food, but keep salt and cholesterol intake as low as possible.
It’s best to think of crab as a special snack. That is, if your dog actually likes it!
Watch this video…
Crab Sticks And Safety
Unfortunately, fake crab sticks are popular.
Usually what is labeled as crab is actually processed fish of unknown quality! Much like sushi, the Japanese created this concept calling it Kamaboko.
Imitation crab is edible but avoid feeding these sticks to your dog.
They contain MSG among other ingredients. Provide 100% fresh cooked meat. Skip mystery fish labeled as crab sticks.
And obviously, you do not want your dog chewing on the sharp outside of a cooked crab — so minimize risks by preparing it!
The Bottom Line
You can give your dog small amounts of succulent crab meat.
It contains nutrients, but also lots of sodium.
Nevertheless, crab meat cannot replace your dog’s regular chow. Serve it in moderation or as a special treat.
And start out with tiny portions.
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