Can Dogs Eat Prawns?
Dogs can eat cooked prawns as long as they are peeled and the head is removed. Prawns can be a healthy and nutritious addition to your dog’s diet. Prawns are high in omega-3 and omega-6 and will help support your dog’s skin, joints, heart, and eye health.
Choosing the right diet for your dog can be tricky and some dogs are fussier eaters than others. Some dogs love seafood and prawns are a popular choice for many dogs. But are prawns actually OK for dogs to eat? Are prawns a healthy option for a dog’s diet or should they be only given as an occasional treat?
Let’s find out when and how safe it is to include prawns in your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Prawns?
Yes, dogs can eat prawns and there are a few ways that dogs can enjoy prawns.
First, prawns should be cooked and shelled with the head removed. Never feed your dog whole prawns as the prawn heads can be sharp and are a choking hazard. Avoid cooking prawns with any salt or spices as some dogs have issues digesting spiced foods.
Alternatively, dogs can enjoy prawn flavoured treats and there are plenty of doggie treats that use prawns as one of their ingredients.
When planning to feed your dog prawns, cook them with no added salt or spices and use minimal oil (and olive oil is best). Ensure the prawns are peeled and the head is removed. When cooking, make sure that the prawns are cooked through and cooled enough before feeding them to your dog.
It’s always best to give your dog a small prawn first to check that your dog is not allergic. Like humans, some dogs have allergies to shellfish and prawns so it’s best to check first. Symptoms of allergic reactions include itchy or irritated skin, vomiting, diarrhoea, or excessive gas.
Are Prawns Nutritious for Dogs?
Prawns are very nutritious for dogs and when eaten in moderation provide a number of health benefits. Prawns are an excellent source of protein and can easily substitute meat fillers in your dog’s diet.
Prawns contain high levels of omega-3 ; omega-6 which are two fatty acids that are nutritious for your dog. Prawns are also packed with magnesium, iron, copper, potassium, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, and vitamins B6 and B12.
All of these vitamins and minerals help improve your dog’s health, including improving bone and muscle strength, boosting your dog’s metabolism, and helping your dog’s immune system.
However, prawns are also high in cholesterol and sodium (salt) so you should only feed your dog prawns in moderation. Too much salt in any dog’s diet can lead to excessive urination, thirst, dehydration, cramping, or sodium poisoning in severe cases.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Prawns?
No, you should definitely avoid feeding your dog raw or uncooked prawns. Uncooked seafood and shellfish like prawns can carry parasites and pathogens that can cause health issues for your dog. Never feed your dog leftover prawn shells or heads as they can easily choke or hurt your dog.
The most common problem caused by dogs consuming uncooked prawns is they have trouble digesting them and raw prawns often cause gastro-intestinal upsets within dogs.
Frozen prawns are ok, as freezing prawns for over a week will kill any parasites within the prawns. Be careful that the prawns are properly thawed before cooking them. It is always suggested to thaw frozen prawns, remove the shell, claws, and head and thoroughly clean them before cooking prawns.
If thawed prawns are a strange color or smell, do not cook them or feed them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Prawn Crackers?
Prawn crackers are not ideal for feeding dogs due to the fact they are high in sodium and high in saturated fats. Prawn crackers are not poisonous to your dog, and shouldn’t cause them any harm if they consume a stray cracker. Avoid giving your dog prawn crackers on purpose as they can lead to weight gain or other health issues.
Summary
Prawns are nutritious and healthy and can be easily added to your dog’s diet. Prawns are packed with lots of vitamins and minerals that will help your dog’s immune system, strengthen their bones and muscles, and also boost your dog’s metabolism. Before feeding your dog prawns, it’s important to check for any allergic reactions with a small piece of prawn.
Prawns should be shelled and the head removed and always ensure that prawns are thoroughly cooked with no extra salt or spices. Never feed your dog raw prawns, and avoid feeding your dog prawn crackers as they are unhealthy for dogs and can lead to weight gain.