Can dogs eat calamari? Maybe you’ve thought about sharing some with your pooch while scarfing down a plate of calamari for a weeknight dinner. If humans can eat calamari, can dogs safely eat it too?
There is no short yes or no answer to whether dogs can eat calamari safely. Calamari is not technically toxic for dogs, but a lot depends on how the calamari is cooked.
Breaded, battered and fried calamari is not a healthy food for your dog and eating too much of it could lead to canine obesity. Other seafood options like clams and scallops might be better choices than calamari for your dog.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your faithful pooch, including seafood. Here’s what you need to know about calamari and dogs.
When Is Calamari Okay For Dogs To Eat?
There are a lot of nutritional benefits that come from eating calamari. It’s a low calorie food that’s also high in protein and Omega 3 fatty acids.
Calamari also packs a lot of minerals, including zinc, iron, and copper.
All of these can help to improve your dog’s heart health and immune system.
When Is Calamari Bad For Dogs?
The main problem with feeding calamari to a dog is the method in which it is cooked. In general, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog raw seafood. While it might not be necessarily toxic, raw seafood can bring on stomach issues and upset your dog.
You should also avoid feeding your dog breaded or battered calamari that has been fried. This is due to both the high fat content and the presence of extra ingredients and sodium in the batter. Eating too much fried food is not healthy for your dog and can lead to canine obesity.
The best way to feed calamari to your dog is to simply steam it. This way you keep some calamari’s nutritional benefits while avoiding the downfalls of fried food.
In general, it’s best to serve your dog a small amount of calamari as a treat or mix it in with their existing food rather than make it an integral part of mealtimes. Your vet can advise you on a precise amount that is safe for your dog to consume.
Has your dog ever tried calamari? Did they like the taste? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
