It can be tempting to consider feeding your dog human food instead of proper dog food, but if the pooch is giving you looks as you eat food, should you risk giving her the human food?
Is human food with seafood dangerous for dogs to eat?
No! there are countless human foods with seafood dogs can eat safely but not all shrimp or crab meat is safe for your pet to eat.
Listen, dogs are a huge part of our lives, and if you have a lapdog, chances are that your dog has tried to put you under her spell as you enjoy your home delivered uber eats Sushi meal.
Dogs usually cast their pleading eyes and tend to show more interest in eating from your plate than theirs, and when human foods involve seafood, you want to make sure that the human food you let her nibble, is safe for dogs to eat. Whether its fruits or vegetables, with dogs you really have to be sure what is safe for the dogs to eat.
But, how do you know which human foods with seafood is safe for dogs to eat?
Seafood like Shellfish especially Shrimp, Lobster, Crab, and Tuna,Salmon or whitefish are all safe and delicious for your dog to eat provided they are properly shelled.
Many pet owners carelessly let their dogs eat scraps of shellfish and lobster carcasses. However, dogs benefit from eating moderated measures of cooked and thoroughly cleaned seafood that is fit of human consumption and not scraps of leftovers or unprocessed crabs full of their shells and nasty bits.
If you choose to feed your dog shrimps, lobsters, and crab, speaking to your nearest local veterinerian specialist will advice you that these shelled seasfoods can safely be eaten by dogs once they are clean and cooked.
So, Can dogs eat seafood? Yes! dogs can eat seafood as long as you are only feeding your dog from the meat of the shellfish which can be served to dogs in smaller quantities, and only if the seafood is fresh and properly cooked instead of leftovers.
Seafood has been a great source of essential minerals and vitamins to both humans and pets alike. From felines, pet dogs to exotic carnivorous pets we keep in our homes, they all benefit from seafood of all types to provide the much-needed good nutrients to our families and dogs as well. However, not all seafood is safe for dogs to eat.
So, if you want to know which human foods with seafood dogs can eat, we have put together the top 25 foods below.
1. Green-Lipped Mussels
These fish contain minerals, vitamins, amino acids. They are also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce toxins in the body.
On top of that they contain glycosaminoglycans (sometimes known as GAGS). These chemicals are known to help reduce inflammations.
They also help in cartilage health in both humans and dogs. You can give these mussels to your dogs as treats in which case they can be freeze-dried.
The powdered form of these mussels can be added to your dog’s diet as an ingredient.
Is Green-lipped Mussel Suitable For Dogs?
Yes! Green-lipped mussels are excellent for dogs as they come with a wide-ranging variety of nutrients, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, antioxidants which are vital for adult dogs healthy.
While feeding your dog freshly cooked green-lipped mussels means plenty of goodness if you can not get the fresh ones, go for the green-lippedd mussel powder.
This powdered mussel is available here on Amazon, and these two, are reported to be beneficial for the nutritional support of both cats and dogs suffering from joint issues. Here we take a closer look at green–lipped mussel.
What are the benefits of green-lipped mussels?
Feeding or supplementing your dog with green–lipped mussel helps your dog’s aging joint issues, gets rid of Rheumatoid arthritis in dogs, improves osteoarthritis, and lowers the severity of asthma.
But also green-lipped mussels prevents sore muscles after your dog has had an exercise or challenging routine.
2. Kelp
This is seaweed is rich in minerals like magnesium, sodium alginate, Potassium, phosphorus, and vitamins like vitamin K.
All these vitamins and minerals help in blood circulation, reducing inflammations and helps the body to eliminate radioactive chemicals.
Kelp originated in Norway and Iceland which has very cold water. You can add this to your dog’s diet as an ingredient. With all its vitamins and minerals, this will improve the body’s immunity.
3. Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton is very nutritious as they contain chlorophyll, carotenoids and amino acids. On top of that they have antioxidants like superoxide dismutase which helps to prevent health problems like heart disease.
As if that’s not enough, phytoplanktons help the digestive system and organ health.
4. Shrimp
This is another seafood that people just can’t resist, even dogs too. Shrimp is farm-raised and a lot of them come from a lot of countries. To be sure where it’s from, check the box or ask at the store.
Knowing more information about the shrimp is important because it will give you a better understanding about any disinfectants that were used.
Also, weather changes can affect the toxicity so shrimp from late spring to early fall should definitely be less toxic.
5. Sardines
They are a great source of calcium, Selenium, proteins and Omega-3 fats. Generally, small fish are better to give to your dogs than larger fish.
This is because larger fish, which are higher in the food chain, contain more toxins that smaller ones.
Sardines are safe for your dogs to eat but, however they should be frozen for at least 2 to 3 weeks before feeding them to your dog to avoid any parasites.
6. Squid
The squid meat is packed with oils which is high in docosahexaenoic acid (called DHA) that helps in preventing as well as reducing body inflammations in both humans and dogs.
Along with that, it contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the same substance that is found in phytoplanktons. This mineral helps coordination in the nervous system. But that’s not all, squid oil has antioxidants.
A quick tip about using squid oils only is that you should always make sure to use the oil in the minimum time of 90 days after opening. This is because a lot of oils turn rancid a while after opening them.
7. Clams
Clams contain vitamin B12, zinc, phosphorus, Selenium and iron. Plus they contain calcium, which helps in bone growth as well as Omega-3 fats, which support the immune system.
However, these small shellfish feed on dinoflagellates, which are toxic.
In the end, when we eat them, we might suffer from paralytic shellfish poisoning because the toxic clams will produce a neurotoxin when digested.
It is crucial that you should make sure that they come from clean waters and in the late spring season.
8. Herring
These fish are rich in Selenium, proteins, Omega-3 fats and calcium. They are small in size and low in the food chain which means that they are less toxic than bigger fish.
These fish, like sardines, must be kept in the freezer for 2 to 3 weeks before serving them to your dog.
9. Kombu
Also known as horsetail kelp, this seaweed is high in protein, fiber, amino acids as well as vitamins K. It is very common in Japan and surrounding regions.
It has health benefits such as thyroid health and lung support to both you and your dog.
10. Spirulina
This seafood contains Vitamins C and K. In addition to that, it has minerals, enzymes, Omega-3 fats as well as amino acids.
All these help to keep the body healthy by improving the gastrointestinal system, treat bacterial growth and reduce the amount of radiation in the body.
It will always be best to ask for information on where it came from and to make sure that it has been checked and verified because sometimes spirulina can contain toxic substances like arsenic.
11. Mackerel
This type of fish can be found in a lot of counties around the globe. They contain proteins, calcium, Selenium and niacin.
Because they are small fish you can give the whole finish, from which they will obtain the maximum amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Like other small fish, mackerels should be frozen for atleast 2 weeks before they are eaten by either you and/or your dog. For your dog, they can be served raw 2 times a week.
12. Dulse
These seaweeds, also called sea parsley in other countries, have fiber which assists indigestion.
Along with that, they contain vitamins, amino acids and a high level of protein.
These help in liver and kidney functionality. The Dulce can be served baked or toasted until the sheet becomes crunchy. After that, you can add then to your dog’s food as toppings.
13. Anchovies
These types of fish are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, Selenium as well as niacin.
On top of that, they contain significant amounts of calcium which helps in sustaining bone growth and strength and it also helps in building bone marrow tissue.
Anchovies are small fish (they look a little like Sardines) as such they contain quite a few toxins compared to other fish because they are low in the food chain.
However, it is best that, like other small fish, the anchovies must be frozen for a while before they can be eaten by you or fed to your dog.
14. Oysters
These foods are called bivalves because they have hinged shells. Oysters look a little like clams and just like clams, oysters contain Vitamin B12, calcium, copper, phosphorus, Selenium and zinc.
Despite that they are low in the food chain, oysters can cause a type of paralysis called paralytic shellfish poisoning which affects muscle functionality. This is because they consume toxins from toxic microalgae.
However, their toxic content may rise or fall depending on water temperatures.
According to data scientists, seasons may also affect toxicity-as they say ‘you are not supposed to eat oysters in the months without R in them.
With oysters you can get creative and make meals like; oyster omelet, oyster sauce, oyster pie, and oyster vermicelli
15. Wakame
This is recognized as a Japanese seaweed and it contains amino acids, fiber, protein as well as minerals like phosphorus, calcium and Selenium.
The nutrients make sure that the thyroid, liver, and kidney are safe and fighting against diseases and infections. When you want to serve them to your dog, you can bake them and crumble them over your dog’s food.
16. Smelts
These small fish are rich in protein, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids as well as Selenium for your dog’s health.
On top of that, they contain fewer toxins because they are low in the food chain.
Similar to sardines, smelts must be frozen for a while before you serve them to your dog, just to ensure that the parasites that might have been in the fish have been avoided.
17. Irish Moss
These seaweeds contain proteins, vitamins and amino acids. In addition to that, they are high in fiber which assists in digestion to both you and your dog.
Irish moss can be baked or roasted and added to your dog’s food. In the long run, these seaweeds help organ function, circulation, and support thyroid health.
18. Salmon
This is one of the most well-known seafood out there. They contain Potassium, magnesium and vitamin D. Along with these, salmon are rich in Omega-3 acids.
It is recommended that you should not buy salmon that was raised in a farm but rather go for wild salmon.
This is because farmed salmon may contain contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls and antibiotics which may be harmful to your dogs.
Despite recommending wild salmon, you should also keep in mind that they may contain parasites.
To prevent you and your dog from being affected by the parasites, freeze the salmon for 2 weeks before consuming them.
19. Nori
These are seaweeds that are very popular in Japan and the surrounding regions.
They are rich in fiber, calcium, vitamins, proteins, and amino acids.
They have a flat sheet shape and can be baked or roasted them added to your dog’s diet.
Nori helps in soothing the gastrointestinal system and aid in liver function.
20. Bombay Duck
This type of seafood is delicious, and your dog will gain a lot of nutrients such as vitamins B, K and C.
Along with that they contain, calcium, Potassium, and high levels of protein.
For preparation, the duck can be cooked, baked, or roasted and given to your dog as a treat or it can be added to your dog’s diet.
21. White Fish
One of the most popular fish in the US, white fish have Potassium, calcium, amino acids and vitamins C and D. They help in liver and lung function.
They also have less toxins because they are lower in the food chain than other fish.
Whitefish are safe for you and your canine companions just as long as you freeze them for a while before feeding them to your dog.
22. Trout
These fish are high in protein, Potassium, and calcium. Also, they have Omega-3 essential oils. Trouts help in the intestines, the lungs as well as the thyroid.
You can serve this fish raw or cooked after freezing it for about 2 to 3 weeks to kill any pesticides.
23. Butterfish
Butterfish are highly nutritious seafoods as they contain calcium, phosphorus, Omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin D.
Butterfish have increased in popularity, especially in the US and the great white north. They help in reducing inflammations and prevent heart issues
24. Lobster Roll
This is a common food that originated in france and is one of the most popular seafoods.
The lobster roll consists of cooked lobster meat, egg yolk and other spices. For the sake of your dog, do not add any spices as they are harmful to them
They are rich in Potassium, calcium and high levels of Omega-3 fats.
25. Crawfish pie
This pie contains nutrients like Potassium, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and a lot of vitamins. It also has fiber that assists indigestion.
However, you should not give your dog too much pie as the high fibers can cause abdominal pains.
Your dog will love crawfish when you give it to them as a treat and give it to them sparingly (at least 3 times a week) and no more than that!).
For last words, always remember to give your dog small contents (as samples) of each food before you add the food to your diet.
This will help you to notice if your dog tolerates the food or is allergic to it.
