Can Dogs Eat Crab?

You’ve stuffed yourself to the gills, and there’s just a little bit of crabmeat left on your plate.  Suddenly, you are aware of your pup’s pleading stare and start to wonder: Can dogs eat crab?

Before you drop a piece onto the floor, here’s what to know about safely feeding your dog crab.

Is Crab OK for Dogs?

Feeding your dog crab as an occasional treat is typically OK with some important caveats. Plain, shelled crabmeat is not toxic to dogs in small amounts. Most dogs also find it tasty, and it’s a lean protein source loaded with amino acids, zinc, vitamin B12, and fatty acids. However, all of these nutrients are provided in a well-balanced commercial dog food, so your pup won’t actually benefit from eating this meat.

Letting your dog eat crab is also not without some downsides. Some things to consider:

• Crabmeat is very high in sodium, cholesterol, and iodine—all of which are not healthy for your dog in large quantities.

• Many of the seasonings we use on crab are not good for dogs, and some can be toxic.

• The shell is a risk to your pooch because it’s sharp and indigestible. It’s capable of causing injuries to a dog’s mouth and intestinal tract, and it can also be a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. 

• Raw crab (such as crab your dog might find at the beach) can contain parasites, which may result in health problems.

• Occasionally, some dogs develop an allergy to crab if fed crabmeat repeatedly, although this is uncommon.

If you want to share some crab with your dog, it should be done in very small amounts and as an occasional special treat.

Can Dogs Eat Imitation Crab?

Imitation crab is not related to authentic crab—it’s a combination of different seafood products that are blended with preservatives and binders to make it seem like crab.

Though it may not be toxic, this combination of ingredients isn’t a healthy food to offer your dog. It’s best to avoid offering your pup anything labeled as imitation crab or containing imitation crab.

Can Dogs Eat Crab Cakes?

Crab cakes have a variety of different ingredients in them, some of which might not be safe for dogs to eat (such as certain spices). It’s best to avoid feeding your dog any crab cakes—unless you made them yourself and know they contain only dog-safe ingredients.

How To Prepare Crab for Dogs

When sharing crab with your dog, cook it yourself so you know exactly how it was prepared. Take care to remove all traces of the shell, as these may be the most dangerous part of the crab for your dog.

Prepare the meat completely plain with no seasonings or added ingredients (sorry, not even butter). It’s safe to boil, steam, or bake the crabmeat—as long as it’s thoroughly cooked. Let it cool completely after cooking.

You can offer it to your dog plain, as a food topper, or frozen into a Kong® toy. Just keep the portions small, check with your veterinarian first, and stop giving it to your dog if you see any signs of gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, or abdominal discomfort.

How Much Crab Can Dogs Eat?

Portions of crabmeat should be kept very small, both to prevent gastrointestinal upset and to avoid the potential side effects of giving a treat too high in iodine, sodium, or cholesterol. A safe guideline is 1 tablespoon of plain, unseasoned, well-cooked crab per 10 pounds of body weight, offered (at most!) once or twice per week.

• Extra-small dog (2–20 pounds) = 1 tablespoon of well-cooked shelled crab once or twice per week

  • Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs

• Small dog (21–30 pounds) = 2–3 tablespoons of well-cooked shelled crab once or twice per week

  • Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature American Shepherds

• Medium dog (31–50 pounds) = Up to ¼ cup of well-cooked shelled crab once or twice per week

  • Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs

• Large dog (51–90 pounds) = Up to 1/2 cup of well-cooked shelled crab once or twice per week

  • Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds

• Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = Up to 10 tablespoons of well-cooked shelled crab once or twice per week

  • Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees

Other Foods To Feed Your Dog

If you are looking to share seafood with your dog, it’s OK to offer small portions of lobster, salmon, shrimp, or tuna. 

Other dog-friendly foods include:

• Carrots

• Spinach

• Peas

• Broccoli

• Kiwis

• Apples

• Strawberries

• Raspberries

Remember: All human foods you decide to feed your dog should be cleared through your veterinarian first, and the portions must be kept small to help keep your pooch happy and healthy!

Featured Image: Adobe/Victoriya Bulyha