Are you fan of eating abalone? If so, you’re not alone! This once endangered mollusk is now a very popular dish on the menu for many people! But what about dogs? Is abalone safe for dogs to eat?
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What is Abalone?
An abalone is a large gastropod mollusk that lives in the ocean. In other words, this a large type of snail. They’re actually in the same family as clams, mussels, sea slugs, and octopuses! An abalone looks a little bit like a flattened-out snail. The shell of the abalone contains that beautiful, iridescent mineral that’s often used in jewelry, which is called mother-of-pearl.
Abalone are found usually in cold waters around South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the west coast of North America.
The meat is said to be rich and flavorful and it’s considered a delicacy. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive types of seafood you can buy! It’s usually sold live in the shell, but it’s also frozen or canned. The meat of this snail is sometimes cooked but is also eaten raw.
Can Dogs Eat Abalone?
While dogs can eat a wide variety of seafood, they can eat small amounts of cooked abalone. You should never feed your dog raw abalone, as it can contain toxins, bacteria and more. In fact, humans sometimes develop food poisoning from eating raw abalone.
Dogs should also not have access to abalone shells because of enough of these are ingested, they could cause an intestinal blockage in the dog.
Another problem with abalone and seafood in generally is that some dogs are very allergic to these foods. Dogs can develop gastro-intestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, along with dermatitis, or more.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Seafood Poisoning in Dogs
If your dog has been poisoned by eating raw abalone, you may notice these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Weakness
- Fever
- Blood in vomit/stool
- Bloated abdomen
If your dog has any of these symptoms after eating abalone, then it’s time to call the vet.
Prevention is Best
It’s OK to serve your dog abalone once in a while, as long as it has been removed from the shell, cleaned and properly cooked. Never feed your dog raw abalone. It’s just not good for him and could make him extremely sick.
So, stick with cooked abalone and you’ll both be able to enjoy some great, safe seafood! Your dog will be happy, and so will you!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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