Do you love eating lobster? Chances are if you love this seafood, your dog is begging as you eat it! Who can avoid not giving in to those beautiful brown eyes begging for a bite of lobster? But what happens if your dog helps himself to some lobster and eats some of the shell? Is lobster shell OK for dogs to eat?
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Has your dog eaten some lobster shell? Are you worried the lobster shell will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at lobster shell and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Lobster Shell?
Lobsters are sea creatures called arthropods (similar to crabs, shrimps, and more). The animal’s shell is called an exoskeleton. It’s used to protect the lobster. You might think of this as a type of armor the lobster uses to avoid becoming prey to other sea creatures.
The lobster’s shell is primarily made of chitin, calcium carbonate, and calcium. The shell may be hard or soft, depending on what time of the year it is (hard shells mean the lobster hasn’t shed the shell yet, while soft shells mean the crabs have shed their old shell and are allowing their new shell to harden).
While lobster is safe for dogs to eat, what about the shell? Can dogs eat lobster shell?
Lobster Shell & Dogs
The lobster shell, especially if it’s hard, can be very dangerous to dogs. When a dog chews on the shell, he may crack it, causing the shell to break into sharp bits. When these bits are in your dog’s mouth, they can cause cuts in the mouth or even tears in the esophagus.
The shells can also cause a dog to choke. What’s more, the lobster shell pieces, if swallowed, can cause damage to the digestive tract. The sharp bits can tear the stomach lining or the intestines. It’s also possible the shell could become stuck in the dog’s intestines and cause an intestinal blockage.
So, if your dog has eaten some lobster shell, then it’s best to call the vet right away. Let them know when your dog ate the lobster shell and about how much of the shell he ate. This information will help the vet decide on the next steps you need to take to help your dog.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical care after eating lobster shell!
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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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