Now is the time to take a look at the more appealing type of food we eat and want to share with our pets. Can dogs eat lobster? This is seafood and some of you will avoid it completely while others will want to make a huge part of the diet from it. There are a few positive and a few negative sides of lobster as an addition to a dog’s diet. Here we will explain all of them.
Can Dogs Eat Lobster In Moderation?
Yes, they can but only in moderation. It is not a wise idea to feed your pet lobster in massive amounts. There are a few issues here that we would like to discuss later on.
It is important to add that if you want to add lobster to his diet, you need to do it slowly and you need to talk to your vet first. Some dogs are allergic to seafood and can end up with a severe allergic reaction. That’s why introducing it slowly is mandatory. For certain dogs, lobster is not ideal and your pet will tell you that. This depends on a specific health condition or a disease your pet may have. We obviously cannot generalize this.
When it comes to good nutrients and sides of lobster we can see the presence of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc. All of these are essential for dogs and they are mandatory for their proper health. Theoretically, your dog will benefit from eating lobster in small amounts.
Just to clarify, you have to make sure the lobster is cooked, and only then you should feed your pet. Raw lobster is something you must avoid at all costs. It can contain bacteria, harmful chemicals, or all sorts of things that are bad for dogs.
Issues With Feeding Dogs With Lobster
There are a few problems or red flags if you like when it comes to feeding this food to your pet. The first one is a shell. It is strong and it can cause choking in some dogs, especially smaller ones. Even when your pet eats the shell in small amounts, they have sharp edges hence you can understand what this means.
For instance, the sharp edges can damage the intestine or stomach. These can cause constipation as well. It is important to keep in mind that the shell of a lobster is something you must not feed your pet with, not in small amounts.
Dogs who eat the shell of lobsters may start vomiting or they may be lethargic. Vets recommend that you wait for 12 hours and feed a dog with plain chicken mixed with rice. If the issue remains present after 12 hours you will need to take him to a vet.
It is possible that the shell caused huge damage to the intestine or blockage that requires professional help. This will not happen every single time when a dog eats lobster or lobster shell but it presents a risk. Don’t worry about his teeth though. They are very strong and they can crush the shell without single damage.
The meat of lobster has a lot of sodium which is bad for dogs.
Dogs don’t tolerate a lot of sodium well hence feeding them with a lot of lobster meat can be a bad decision. Most other treats and foods also contain sodium hence you will want to consider the daily intake your pet needs. A dog of 33 pounds will need only 200 mg of sodium per day. For comparison, people need 1500-2300 mg per day!
The second issue is cholesterol. Lobster meat is high on it and it can be a huge problem as well. What this means is that your pet will have a hard time digesting the meat and the high fat level can cause canine pancreatitis.
This is a painful and severe condition that requires treatment. We must add that some dog breeds and certain dogs are at a higher risk of developing pancreatitis. These dogs should avoid foods with high fat levels including lobster meat. Now you can see why you should talk to your vet about feeding your dog lobster.
Of course, the second issue here can cause the third one. It is obesity. Dogs can end up obese in no time and this can be a huge problem. Pets who are obese are at a higher risk of developing heart attack, and higher blood pressure and they have problems with joints.
All of these are painful, severe, and problematic issues that you don’t want your pet to suffer. Keep in mind that some dogs can gain weight quickly and you need to react if that happens. Making changes to their diet and providing them a lot of physical activity will solve the problems and make your dog lose weight.
How Much Lobster Your Pet Should Eat?
There is no definite answer here. How much lobster is good for a dog will depend on his size. A larger dog can eat more lobster meat without any complications. A smaller dog will end up with certain problems much sooner.
If you really want to include lobster meat in your dog’s diet, do it in very small amounts. Use this as a treat. As always, all the treats your pet eats should be no more than 10% of his total diet. Keep in mind that all the treats your pet eats should be included in the calculation and not just the ones you think should be.
The Final Word
Hopefully, you have got your answer. Can dogs eat lobster? Yes, they can but in small amounts only, as a treat, and nothing more. Dogs who eat a lot of lobster can end up with certain problems such as canine pancreatitis. The main reason why lobster is not ideal in large amounts for a dog is the presence of sodium and fat. Dogs don’t tolerate these two well.
