Can Dogs Eat Crab? What About Imitation Crab Meat?

Quick Summary

• Crabs can be eaten by dogs in small amounts. Canines may even benefit from the lean protein, zinc, and vitamin B12 crab meat can offer.
• Make sure to cook the crab properly and take out the shells before feeding your dog. Avoid using oils and seasoning.
• Some dogs may develop crab allergy because of the high levels of iodine. So feed small amounts especially in the beginning and always observe your dog’s reaction.

Crab is delicious and a good source of lean protein, meaning it’s great for muscle development, so pet owners can wonder if it would be okay to share one of their favourite meals with the dog—can dogs eat crab? Technically crab is not poisonous to dogs, and a lot of the time, it can even be a healthy treat.

Crab is also high in vitamin B12, which is good for intestinal health and increases brain functions. Zinc is also present, which is great for bigger dogs that have a corresponding need for zinc. These are all essential to boost your dog’s immune system.

That being said, having your dogs eat crab meat has its risks. My dogs for example, are diagnosed to have crab allergies, so I make sure to avoid this in their diet. But for some pet owners that are interested to have their pups try crabs, I’ll go over the feeding guide and risks in detail below.

Risks of Crab Meat to Dogs

Raw crab may carry intestinal parasites meaning it has to be cooked. The crab shells may also be dangerous for small dogs, especially so they have to be removed before consumption. It is because the shells tend to be sharp, and they can damage. The dog’s mouth, not to mention their gut. Large shell pieces can also result in intestinal blockage. Even shelled crabs can be problematic, especially if your pet is allergic. So it is important to sample the food in small portions for the dogs to prevent them from having a negative reaction. Crabs also have high iodine levels, which may be detrimental to some dogs. The high sodium content in crabs can be problematic to dogs in the long run as well.

How to Feed Crab to Dogs

The first thing I advise you to avoid is giving your dog crab meat that’s raw because it usually has parasites and poses other bacterial problems to pets. It is also important to avoid putting any fat or seasoning in the crab you give to the dogs. That probably has unnecessary calories, and some spices may even contain toxic elements to dogs. Rather the crab should be as plain as possible and offered to pups occasionally. As with most human food, the recommendation is to have the veterinarian approve the meat before offering it to your dog. They should tell you whether it is safe to offer the dog or if the food is to be avoided.

Crabs and Dogs with Iodine Allergies

Some dogs experience allergic reactions after eating crabs because of the presence of iodine. Crabs tend to have high iodine levels, so this is something to watch out for. It can present in watery eyes, fatigue and an upset stomach. When introducing crab meat to your dog, feed them by the spoonful. Observe the dogs for the next five hours to see if they have any adverse symptoms and take them to the vet if that is the case. It is not wise to feed your dog crab sticks as they are processed food with unknown ingredients with crab meat. These can be toxic to dogs and even cause toxic reactions.

Can Dogs Eat Imitation Crab Meat?

Imitation crab is made of processed white fish, artificial food colouring and other preservatives. Even though it is safe, feeding your dog imitation crab meat is not advisable. The reason is imitation crab meat is highly processed as it has additives such as salt and sugar, which would not be healthy in large quantities. High salt content in imitation crab meat can also be dangerous to the dog’s kidneys. At the same time, a lot of store-bought imitation crab meat had ingredients that dogs tend to be sensitive to. Real crab meat, for example, has different vitamins and minerals that have healthy nutrients not present in imitation meat. If you recognize any signs or symptoms, make sure to visit the vet immediately. It is the reason it is always recommended to start small when feeding the dog crab for the first time. However, dog owners have to test their pets’ reactions to any cooked crab meat. Can dogs eat crab cakes? No. There are way too much sugar and seasoning in it to be worth feeding it to your dog.

What Part of the Crab is the Dog Allowed to Eat?

The only part that a dog can eat from a crab would be the meat itself. The meat of the crab needs to be fully cooked as well and unseasoned. It should not be placed in sugar or dipped in butter. Its shell is already considered a choking hazard and could be stuck between the teeth of the dog. So do not give your dog a crab shell to nibble on. Please trust that it is not the same as giving them raw beef bones. If you give them crab meat, do not forget to brush your dog’s teeth once daily. It is to prevent the dog from suffering from periodontal disease. You may also use dental toothpaste made specifically for dogs and a toothbrush. Brushing dogs’ teeth is an important part of caring for your dog.

FAQs

What happens if a dog eats crab?

Crab meat is not toxic to dogs, technically speaking, but it is advisable to it feed your pup small quantities at a time. It is also advisable to remove the shell because they are quite sharp and easily shard, resulting in significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

Can my dog eat crab shells?

The answer to this question is no because crab shells tend to shard easily, so they can cause injuries to your dog’s mouth or the gut when they swallow them [1]. Crab shells are also not easily digestible, making it worse when your pets swallow them.

Can you give your dog raw crab meat?

Do not allow your dogs to eat raw crab meat. Like other raw meat, crabs have intestinal parasites, which may lead to a painful condition in dogs.

Can dogs be allergic to crabs?

Some dogs are allergic to crab meat, so it is important to give your dog small quantities at first. That is to check if they have a negative reaction. Bad symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea.