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Crab is a popular seafood for many people around the world! And if you’re a pet parent, the chances are that your dog will come begging when you eat crab! He’ll look at you with those large, soulful eyes that plead with you to feed him! But can dogs eat crab? What happens if a dog steals crab off your plate and eats it?
Has your dog eaten crab? Are you worried the crab will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when something like this happens.
We’ve put together some information about crab and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What Are Crabs?
Crabs are crustaceans that live in the ocean. They have no backbone, and they’re covered by a protective hard shell. While crustaceans look similar to crabs, they usually have more legs than a spider. Crabs have five pairs of legs, with four used for walking, and the front two have claws. The claws (also called pincers) are used as weapons and to help eat their food.
Crabmeat is extremely popular and is considered to be healthy. The meat contains plenty of nutrients, including:
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Iron
- Niacin
- Selenium
- Zinc
They’re also packed with protein and contain high levels of omega 3 fatty acids.
While crab meat can be healthy for humans, what about dogs? Can dogs eat crab?
Crab & Dogs
The good news is that crab meat is not toxic to dogs. The meat contains nutrients that dogs need; however, they should only eat it in moderation. While crab meat is safe for dogs, it also depends on how the meat has been prepared.
Avoid allowing your dog to eat crab meat that’s been cooked with garlic, onion, or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
In addition, some dogs may be allergic to seafood, just like some humans. If your dog grabs some crab off your plate and starts to have the following symptoms, call the vet immediately:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Facial swelling
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Itchy, irritated skin
- Hives
Another problem is that dogs should not eat crab shells. The shells are extremely dangerous for dogs. The problem is that the shell can break into sharp pieces after it’s chewed.
These sharp bits of the shell can then become lodged in the esophagus and lead to choking. The shells may also puncture any part of the digestive tract. What’s more, if a dog eats too many crab shells, it’s possible the shells could create an intestinal obstruction.
If your dog has eaten crab and is having an allergic reaction, call the vet immediately. Also, if your dog has eaten crab shells and is having breathing difficulty or digestive tract issues, then call the vet immediately. These can be life-threatening conditions.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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