Can Dogs Eat Scallops?

The Short Answer is:

Scallops can be eaten by dogs when cooked. You should know the following before feeding your pup a small amount of Scallops.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Scallops?“.

Our furry friends often seem tempted to share their food with us as pet owners. As we eat that pasta dish with garlic-lemon butter scallops our dogs may run over and beg us for some with their cute puppy eyes. Before you share some you may find yourself wondering “Can my dog eat Scallops?” I’ll give you a short answer.

Can dogs eat Scallops? The answer is yes dogs can eat cooked scallops in moderation since cooked scallops are packed with nutrients such as magnesium protein and potassium. Providing your canine friends with scallops requires proper preparation in order to ensure they enjoy this seafood safely and reap the maximum benefits.  

Throughout this article we’ll cover how to properly prepare scallops and any precautions to follow so that your pets can safely enjoy this delicious seafood. Lets get started.

Can dogs have Scallops?

Scallops can be eaten by dogs in moderation. Nonetheless as mentioned above proper preparation is key before feeding the Scallops to your dog.

Can dogs eat cooked Scallops?

Scallops can be eaten by dogs when cooked. You should know the following before feeding your pup a small amount of Scallops.

Fully cook the Scallops without any added seasonings or ingredients

You will need to remove the side muscles from the Scallops first if you want your dog to enjoy the soft part of the Scallops. Scallops should be patted dry before the pan is heated. Choose canine-friendly oils instead of butter such as olive oil sunflower oil and coconut oil. 

As an alternative you can simply add a bit of water to the pan. Donot add any seasonings such as salt pepper garlic butter chives leeks or onions. The best way to serve scallops is to serve them plain and fully cooked.       

Fortunately Scallops do not require much cooking since they cook rather quickly. Their translucent flesh becomes opaque when fully cooked.

So are Scallops ok for dogs?

Scallops can be eaten by dogs. Scallops are not okay for dogs if they have been pan-seared in butter seasoned with salt pepper garlic onion or chives. 

Sodium poisoning can occur when dogs consume too much salt. You can also give your dog garlic onion or chives all of which are toxic to dogs. Both of these vegetables are toxic to dogs.  

Among the symptoms of garlic and onion toxicity are: 

• There is abdominal pain and tenderness.
• Cramps.
• Anemia.
• Hematuria or blood in the urine.
• Coordination problems.
• Increase heart rate. 
• Dehydration.
• Anorexia.
• Bad breath.

Your veterinarian should be contacted immediately if you suspect your dog has garlic or onion poisoning.

Avoid feeding your dog fried or raw Scallops

You might wonder why your furry friends should avoid both fried and raw scallops. The following is a detailed explanation of this so that you are aware that you would not have any unexpected accidents or unexpected and expensive emergency medical bills. 

Can dogs eat fried Scallops?

Scallops are not suitable for dogs to eat fried. Oily scallops are not only unhealthy for your dog but they are also oily. Oily foods contain a lot of fat and are not necessary for your dogs diet. 

Scallops fried in oil may upset your dogs stomach and cause him to feel uneasy throughout the day. If you’re not careful your pooch may also suffer from pancreatitis if he or she consumes a lot of fried Scallops.

Fried food can put your canine friends at risk for developing pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. The organ begins to produce harmful enzymes that can harm your dogs intestines when this occurs. 

Donot feed your dog fried scallops. 

Can dogs eat raw Scallops?

Scallops should not be eaten raw by dogs. Scallops are extremely dangerous for dogs when eaten raw. Thats because raw scallops can contain nasty bacteria viruses and parasites. 

Viruses can be found in raw scallops including: 

• Parvoviridae.
• Astrovirus.
• Norovirus. 

Raw scallops are often contaminated with bacteria such as: 

• Salmonella spp.
• Escherichia coli.
• Shigella.

Among the parasites that live on raw scallops are: 

• Tapeworms. 
• Roundworms.
• Trematodes.

The metabolism of puppies is low and their stomachs are sensitive. Watch your puppy carefully if he or she accidentally eats raw scallops. Whenever he eats raw scallops there is a high risk of becoming ill. 

Puppies also require at least four to five hours to digest their food which gives viruses parasites and bacteria enough time to grow and strengthen inside their stomachs. Dogs and puppies may become infected during this time.

Are Scallops bad for dogs?

As we can see if the scallops are raw or undercooked they are harmful to dogs. You should only give your dog fully cooked scallops. Avoid giving them raw scallops at all costs. 

It is possible for raw scallops to contain bacteria parasites and viruses that can cause chronic diseases in dogs and puppies. Raw scallops can cause our puppies and dogs to contract chronic diseases such as: 

Acute abdominal pain 

Dogs can suffer from abdominal pain caused by parasites such as trematodes and tapeworms. As these parasites are easily found in raw seafood like scallops its best to avoid feeding your pooch raw scallops. 

While some recommend freezing the raw Scallops to inactivate the microorganisms it is best to err on the side of caution and cook the Scallops fully before feeding them to your pups.  

Vomiting 

You should expect your dog to vomit after eating raw seafood that has been contaminated with viruses bacteria fungi and parasites. Its the bodys natural mechanism to get rid of toxins. 

Cholera

The vibrio cholera that causes cholera can be found in raw scallops. Scallops can cause diarrhea to your dogs if they eat a lot of them without you knowing. 

Your dog may become severely dehydrated if he experiences diarrhea and he may even be at risk of death. 

Gastroenteritis

There are several causes of gastroenteritis in dogs including viruses bacteria fungi and parasites. These are all present in raw scallops. 

The digestive tract becomes inflamed when you have gastroenteritis making it extremely uncomfortable and painful. Your dog may vomit have explosive diarrhea and have abdominal pain. 

Meningitis

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to meningitis than others despite it being a rare disease in canines. There are three breeds of these dogs: Beagles German Shorthaired Pointers and Bernese Mountain Dogs. 

The most common causes of meningitis are fungi viruses and bacteria. Raw scallops that have come into contact with dirty sewage water may contain bacteria and viruses that can cause meningitis in dogs. 

Septicemia

Dogs that eat raw scallops may be exposed to viruses such as Vibrio cholera and Vibrio vulnificus. In dogs blood poisoning can occur when these viruses enter their bloodstream and lead to high fever and very low blood pressure. 

If you suspect your four-legged friends are not feeling well after accidentally eating raw scallops or think they might have septicemia contact your veterinarian right away. Viruses can put your dogs life at risk if not treated immediately. 

Viral hepatitis 

Growing scallops in a dirty environment or near sewage water can expose them to the Hepatitis A virus. It is possible for dogs to contract viral hepatitis after eating raw scallops that have been exposed to viral hepatitis. 

You should be extra careful when feeding puppies scallops if you have puppies. Be sure the scallops are fully cooked and not raw before letting your pups eat them. 

It is impossible for you to control the environment the Scallops were in prior to being in your kitchen. Scallops may come into contact with parasites bacteria and viruses found in the sea ocean or environment. Scallops can even get infected during transportation storage and at the grocery store.

Are Scallops good for dogs to eat?

In moderation and if the scallops are fully cooked scallops are good for dogs. Make sure your dog only eats the white and orange parts and not the frilly membrane the stomach sac or the shell since these are toxic to dogs. 

Scallops are packed with all the nutritional goodness that your dog needs. Steamed or boiled scallops have the following nutritional profile: 

The nutritional profile of cooked Scallops (1oz or 28 grams)

We can see from this nutritional profile that 1 ounce of cooked Scallop contains almost 39 calories and 187 mg of sodium. Dogs should not overeat cooked scallops which is why they should eat them in moderation. You can put your dog at risk of weight gain and salt poisoning by eating too many scallops or eating this seafood frequently.  

Therefore lets discuss why cooked scallops are good for dogs. Protein is the first thing to consider. 

Protein

Almost 7 grams of protein are present in just 1 ounce of cooked Scallops. Dogs need protein to maintain strong and healthy muscles organs and even skin. Your four-legged friends are less likely to be lean and energetic if they do not consume a sufficient amount of protein. 

Magnesium

A mineral called magnesium is also essential for dogs. The magnesium content of just 1oz of cooked Scallop is 12.5mg. Nutritional supplements help dogs maintain proper heart functions aid in muscle growth and facilitate nervous system signaling. 

Dogs with magnesium deficiency (or hypomagnesemia) may experience heart problems kidney damage malnutrition and cardiac problems.  

Potassium

Magnesium and potassium are equally important to dogs. Our K9 friends need potassium because it aids in the transmission of electric signals between muscles nerves and organs. Additionally it helps in the transfer of nerve impulses throughout your dogs body.

Can dogs eat Scallops and shrimp?

As long as both the scallops and shrimps are fully cooked without any additional seasoning dogs can eat scallops and shrimp in moderation.

Fully cooked scallops are safe and healthy for dogs and they contain lots of essential nutrients such as magnesium potassium protein selenium calcium folate vitamin A and vitamin B. 

Shrimps that have been fully cooked are also nutritious for dogs. In addition to being low in carbs calories and fat they are also high in antioxidants phosphorus and B vitamins. You will also enjoy the taste of cooked shrimp for your dog.

So can dogs eat Scallops?

As we can see dog owners should fully cook their Scallops before serving them to their pets. If you’re planning to share human food with your K9 friend keep it as simple as possible. We may add seasonings to our dogs food that irritate the tongue throat or stomach. 

There are some seasonings and ingredients that are toxic to dogs. We highly recommend that you contact your dogs veterinarian if you are concerned about the impact of a particular food on your dogs health. Veterinarians are the best people to answer any questions you might have about your dog. We hope this was helpful and informative for you!

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.