Eating crab is a treat for many of us humans. We love our soft shell crabs, Blue Crab, Snow Crab, Dungeness Crab, Stone Crabs and more.
But what if our doggo wants in on the action? Is it safe to feed your dog crab meat?
That’s the question we’re going to look at below. Can dogs eat crab and, if so, are there any precautions you should take if you do? Let’s dig in and find out.
Can Dogs Eat Crab?
The answer to that is yes. Crabs are very healthy food. And they are safe for our dogs to eat.
They contain less than a gram of fat and are a good source of protein, with around 21 grams in one serving. So, to begin with, they are a good source of lean protein.
Crab meat is not a toxic delicacy for our dogs. Though there are some things to keep in mind before feeding crab to your dogs. More on that a little further down in the article.
Health Benefits of Crabs For Dogs
Like I have said earlier, crab meat is a source of lean protein due to its low fat and high protein ratio. And protein is pretty essential for our dogs too.
To add to that, our dogs will not get fat eating this food. They are also high in minerals and vitamins.
It is a good source of vitamin B12 and Zinc. Vitamin B12 can make a dog’s brain function healthier. On the other hand, Zinc is a mineral good for regulating a dog’s metabolism.
Similar to many other types of seafood and fish, crab meat is also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have a lot of benefits for dogs. This includes healthy kidney function and prevention of heart disease. And it can make a dog’s coat and skin shiny and moisturized. Additionally, it can help decrease inflammation.
Rich in phosphorus, another benefit of crab meat is it can build up a healthier bone. It is a good source of Magnesium which makes absorption of minerals and vitamins easier.
A Few Things To Avoid
However, before you feed your dog crab there are some important precautions to take.
First, stick with real crab meat. Crab meat imitation, for example, is not the best choice for a dog to eat. This is because they commonly have additives that a dog may be sensitive to. So, to help avoid any GI problems for your dog, definitely avoid these.
Similarly, only feed them plain crab. Crab that has seasonings and/or too much salt can be bad for your dog.
And never feed them raw crab meat. Raw crab meat can carry intestinal parasites. And that can be bad for a dog’s body.
Also, it should go without saying, is to watch out for crab shells. Always pull the meat out of the crab before feeding it to your dog. Crab shells can be sharp and they can damage a dog’s intestinal tract.
Bottom line here is that plain, cooked crab is generally safe for your dog to eat. Though, for the sake of your pocketbook, you may not want to give it to them too often!
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Does you dog want to eat olives? Find out Can Dogs Eat Olives in this article.
