 The Short Answer is:
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Yes they can. Mussels make a great snack for dogs. It is rich in protein and essential fatty acids which are crucial for the health of dogs. |
In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Mussels?“.
It is a common misconception that seafood is toxic for dogs and it may be true for some but can they eat mussels? Besides having great health benefits this delicious mollusk contains a lot of protein. Can we share mussels with our dogs? We will explore this topic in this research to determine whether dogs can eat mussels.
What are Mussels?
An example of a mussel is a bivalve mollusk. This type of mollusk lives in a variety of water bodies. People can serve mussels in a variety of ways. Mussels will need to be cooked and their shells will need to be removed before they are eaten.
Can Dogs Eat Mussels?
Can dogs eat mussels? Yes they can. Mussels make a great snack for dogs. It is rich in protein and essential fatty acids which are crucial for the health of dogs.
There are several dogs treat brands that dehydrate mussels into snacks for dogs. Should your dog need a bit more protein in its diet you should definitely give it mussels.
When you introduce a new food to your dog be sure to do so with ease. Make sure your dog does not have an allergic reaction by giving a small amount. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
- Redness
- Your dog is excessively itchy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
In the event your dog starts having an allergic reaction to the mussels you need to stop feeding them immediately. You should also contact your veterinarian to inform him or her of what is happening with your dog. The veterinarian should be able to guide you accordingly.
What to Avoid When Feeding Dogs Mussels
To keep your dog safe you must follow a few rules before giving him mussels.
1. Dogs Can’t Eat Shells
Mussels have protective shells and it is extremely important not to give your dog any mussels with shells. Your dog will be able to eat the flesh only when you remove it from the shell.
If your dog eats the shell it could get seriously injured. The shells are hard and pointy so biting on them could cause your dogs teeth or tongue pain.
In addition if your dog digested a shell it could cause an intestinal blockage that could lead to death.
2. Don’t Give Your Dog a Mussel Found on the Beach
You should leave random mussels on the beach if you find them. A mussel that has been beached might be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Your dog should spit it out immediately if it tries to eat it. Check to make sure your dog hasnot eaten any of the shells or the contaminated mussel.
Benefits of Mussels for Dogs
You can give mussels to your dog for a variety of reasons. This snack includes a lot of protein omega-3 fatty acids vitamins and minerals and it is very low in calories.
Protein
Because mussels are mostly made up of protein they will be a great snack for your dog. The protein will help your dog build muscle tissue helping him become stronger. Protein is crucial to a healthy diet especially for larger dogs.
Omegas and Fats
A dogs diet should include fats and omega-3 fatty acids. The mussel contains healthy fats and this can aid in absorbing valuable vitamins.
It is very important for puppies and growing adult dogs to consume Omega 3 fats which contain DHA and EPA. The dogs usually like the taste of fat and will eat it with anything. So you should be able to give your dog mussels without any problems.
Vitamins / Minerals
Among the nutrients inside a mussel are phosphorous potassium iron calcium and magnesium. Different minerals and vitamins keep your dogs body healthy and functioning properly.
As a result of the fat in the mussels your dog will be able to absorb the nutrients more easily. There are no added preservatives or flavors to your dogs mussel so you can rest easy. It is best to give your dog fresh mussels or even dehydrated mussels that contain no other ingredients or seasonings.
Low-Calorie Snack
There are many dog breeds today that have issues with becoming obese or overweight. It is important to feed your dog a low-calorie but a healthy snack that your dog will benefit from as opposed to just acting as a filler.
Mussels can be served along with your dogs food or you can simply serve them to your dog as a tasty healthy treat.
How to Serve Mussels for Dogs?
Mussels are safe for your dog to eat so you must know how and how much of them to give him.
Frozen or Fresh
Frozen or fresh mussels can be fed to your dog whether they are frozen or thawed. If the mussels are frozen the easiest way to do this is to let them thaw out; then you can cook them or serve them to your dog frozen if they have already been cooked
Mussels can be steam-cooked to ensure they are thoroughly cooked. Give your dog one or two mussels after you remove them from their shells. You can chop up the mussels into smaller pieces if you have a small breed dog so that it does not choke.
Do not give your small breed dog more than one mussel per day. Whether you give it to your dog whole or finely chopped your dog will be able to eat it without choking.
Two mussels are allowed per day for large breed dogs. Before giving the mussel to your dog you’ll likely not have to chop it up.
Dehydrated Mussels
Several brands are now realizing just how wonderful and nutritious mussels are for dogs. Many companies have taken advantage of this information by creating awesome dehydrated mussel snacks. Here are a few suggestions for dehydrated mussel treats for dogs.
The Honest Kitchen Nice Mussels
This dehydrated mussel treat was created by The Honest Kitchen with 100% New Zealand mussels. The mussels used for this treatment were both blue and green mussels that were raised sustainably.
During the freeze-drying process the mussels retain their amazing nutritional value. They are free of preservatives and synthetic ingredients. Mussels make up the entire product which is non-GMO.
There are only eight calories in each mussel making it a great snack for older and overweight dogs. They also get protein omega-3 fatty acids vitamins and minerals.
It is an affordable dog snack that comes in a two-ounce bag that contains between 15 and 20 mussels.
Zesty Paws New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Treats
These grain-free bites made from green-lipped mussels have been cold-pressed at Zesty Paws. There are so many benefits to aging dogs from eating green-lipped mussels.
By providing your dog with digestive health hip and joint relief and mobility support these treats keep your dog healthy.
There are other ingredients in these treats but the main active ingredient is the green-lipped mussels from New Zealand. Dog chews like these do not have artificial colors or flavors.
Your dogs size is determined by how much food you give him. For this price you get 90 chews made right here in the United States.
Conclusion
While not all dogs enjoy mussels the ones that do can benefit from this superfood snack. So it is clear that dogs may be able to consume mussels. These protein-packed treats are not only delicious but also safe to feed to dogs.
Have you ever given your dog a mussel? How did he react to it? Comment below to let us know. Feel free to contact us.
If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.
