That nagging guilt you get after eating your seafood while your Frenchie is staring at you can be tempting to give in. But can Frenchies eat seafood? Read on.
Can Frenchies Eat Seafood?
Yes. Frenchies can eat certain types of well-prepared, deshelled, and boneless seafood. Seafood, including scallops, is nutritious and healthy in moderation.
Benefits of Seafood food
Protein source
Seafood is a great source of high-quality, highly digestible proteins. It is an excellent protein alternative for French Bulldogs with chicken or beef intolerances. Proteins provide amino acids, the building blocks of strong tissues and muscles. Moreover, proteins come in handy when your dog’s immunity is low. They are immune-boosting nutrients. Furthermore, proteins keep dogs energetic.
Minerals
Seafood is a powerhouse of selenium and iodine. Selenium supports the proper functioning of the immune system and lowers the risk of tissue and cellular damage. Iodine is responsible for the creation of thyroid hormones, which support metabolism.
Vitamins
Seafood has B vitamins, including B12, B6, and B3. B vitamins are crucial for food breakdown, ensuring sufficient energy, hemoglobin formation, and the proper functioning of the nervous system. Seafood also contains vitamin A for coat, skin, and vision wellness.
Omega fatty acids
Healthy omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are abundant in seafood. These perform crucial functions like insulating the body from cold, safeguarding body tissues and cells, lowering inflammation, enhancing skin and coat health, encouraging cardiovascular wellness, and lowering the risk of inflammation.
10 Risks of Feeding Seafood to French Bulldogs
Although seafood is a healthy meal, it has its downsides.
- Parasites and bacteria: Raw seafood has salmonella, listeria, roundworms, and tapeworms, which cause infections and health issues in Frenchies.
- Toxicity: Seafood may include mercury and heavy metals, which harm dogs.
- Allergic reactions: Frenchies can become allergic to seafood. Introducing seafood gradually lowers this risk.
- Harmful preservatives: Some commercial formulas, like canned fish, include harmful preservatives.
- Choking and blockages: Seafood bones, scales, and shells can cause choking and life-threatening blockages.
- Food poisoning: Raw seafood causes food poisoning, characterized by stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Obesity: Seafood is a fatty meal, and consuming it in large amounts or frequently exposes your Frenchie to the risk of obesity.
- Vitamin E deficiency: Serving your dog seafood for a long time increases vitamin E deficiency chances.
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning: Seafood, including shellfish, has a hazardous biotoxin obtained through filtered eating. Cooking cannot render these poisons inactive; laboratory testing is the only way to determine their presence. Consuming them results in paralysis and neurological symptoms.
- Contamination with industrial compounds: Industrial pollutants such as polychlorinated phenols that may harm human and animal health can contaminate fish and seafood.
Safe Seafood For Dogs
Below are the safe seafood choices for your Frenchie:
Sardines
Sardines are safe and healthy, as they include essential nutrients and have low mercury levels.
Whitefish
It is also low in mercury and has omegas and proteins.
Crabs
Crabs are healthy in small amounts. They support bone, joint, and muscle wellness.
Seafood To Feed Dogs Occasionally
Seafood should be a treat, not a frequent meal. Here is some seafood to feed Frenchies occasionally:
Cooked salmon
It is rich in omega fatty acids and proteins for skin, coat, cardiac, and muscle health. Avoid genetically modified and farmed salmon, as they have contaminants and chemicals.
Cooked shrimp
This seafood dish contains high-quality nutrients, including omegas and proteins. Caution is key, as farmed shrimp include chemicals and antibiotics. Buy shrimp from trusted sources.
Seafood To Avoid For Dogs
Some seafood is not safe for dogs. Here are some examples:
Swordfish and tuna
They have high mercury levels, making them unsafe for dogs.
Raw seafood
Uncooked seafood harbors bacteria and parasites that cause diseases in dogs and humans.
Shellfish
Some shellfish are choking hazards. Such shellfish include mussels and clams.
Tilefish and king mackerel
They are also high in mercury, and consuming them exposes your Frenchie to the risk of mercury poisoning.
Signs Your Dog Might be Sick from Eating Seafood
Consuming seafood in small amounts may not cause serious problems. But if your dog eats raw seafood, look for any signs of health issues. Diarrhea, vomiting, or bloody stool may indicate a parasitic infection.
Fever and a distended tummy also call for an emergency visit to the vet. Choking or blockages may require surgery. Hives, skin licking, and obsessive chewing are signs of an allergic reaction.
Which Seafood Recipes and Parts Can Be Eaten Safely by Frenchies?
Raw Seafood
Uncooked seafood harbors bacteria and parasites that cause health problems in humans and pets.
So, can Frenchies eat raw seafood? No. Raw seafood has parasites and bacteria that expose Frenchies to the risk of infection. Stomach upsets, vomiting, and diarrhea are common signs to look out for.
Cooked Seafood
Cooking kills pathogens like parasites and bacteria. It makes seafood safe and healthy for your dog.
So, can Frenchies eat cooked seafood? Yes. Cooked seafood is free from harmful pathogens that cause health issues in French Bulldogs. Cooking also softens seafood, thus making it easier to chew and digest. Moreover, cooking can help destroy heavy metals and mercury, thus making seafood toxin-free.
Fried Seafood
Fried seafood has a lot of fat, making it unhealthy for dogs. It is, therefore a no-go zone for dogs.
So, can Frenchies eat fried seafood? No. Fried seafood is fatty. A fatty meal raises the chances of obesity and other life-threatening health problems, including pancreatitis and cardiac issues.
Seafood Meat
Seafood meat, including filet, is a powerhouse of essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and omegas. These nutrients are critical for your dog’s growth and development.
So, can Frenchies eat seafood meat? Yes. Frenchies can eat boneless, deshelled, and well-cooked seafood. Cooking destroys bacteria and parasites, while removing bones and shells lowers the risk of choking and blockages.
Shellfish
Clams and mussels can be a choking hazard for dogs. Other shellfish, like lobster and crab, are high in sodium, iodine, and fat.
So, can Frenchies eat shellfish? The answer depends on the type of shellfish. Lobsters and crabs in small amounts may not harm your dog. Making them a frequent meal is bad, as it can lead to sodium poisoning and pancreatitis.
Lobster
This is a type of shellfish. It has proteins for muscle wellness. It is, however, a fatty meal with increased sodium levels.
So, can Frenchies eat lobster? Yes. Consuming well-prepared lobster in small amounts infrequently lowers the risk of pancreatitis and other problems. Ensure it is well-cooked.
Taramasalata
Spices and seasonings are harmful to dogs. Taramasalata uses seasonings like garlic and lots of oil.
So, can Frenchies eat taramasalata? No. Taramasalata has other unhealthy additions, including oil and garlic, which are unhealthy for Frenchies.
Salmon
Cooked salmon is a healthy and nutritious addition to your dog’s diet. It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins for a muscular look and overall well-being.
So, can Frenchies eat salmon? Yes, cooked salmon is safe for French Bulldogs. Raw salmon contains parasites and bacteria that can make your dog sick.
Shrimp
Serving shrimp as a treat provides nutrients for your dog. However, making it a frequent meal exposes your dog to the risk of toxicity due to its high number of toxins.
So, can Frenchies eat shrimp? Yes. Shrimp in small amounts is okay for dogs. It should also be deshelled and well-prepared.
Crab
Cooking is an excellent way to make crabs safe for dogs. Cooked crabs in small amounts are safe and healthy for dogs.
So, can Frenchies eat crab? Yes. Small amounts of crab will not harm your dog. But you should remove the shells and bones and ensure it is well-cooked.
Sardines
Although small, sardines are a powerhouse of nutrients that support proper growth and development.
So, can Frenchies eat sardines? Yes. Due to their limited exposure to heavy metals and poisons due to their diet of sole plankton and short lifespan, these little fish are frequently considered the safest. Canned sardines typically contain a lot of sodium, which can harm your dog’s health.
Tilapia
Proteins and omegas support your dog’s immune, muscle, coat, joint, cardiac, and skin wellness. Tilapia has high-quality, easily digestible proteins. It also contains omega fatty acids.
So, can Frenchies eat tilapia? Yes. Tilapia is a nutritious meal for Frenchies. It should, however, be properly cooked, deboned, and deshelled.
Tuna
It is a tasty and nutritious meal. Tuna is, however, loaded with mercury, and consuming it in large amounts may lead to mercury poisoning,
So, can Frenchies eat tuna? No. French Bulldogs cannot eat tuna. The high mercury content makes tuna unsafe for Frenchies. A small bite may, however, not be an emergency risk.
Sushi
It uses raw fish and has other unhealthy ingredients like avocado and garlic. Consuming sushi, therefore, increases the risk of parasitic and bacterial infections.
So, can Frenchies eat sushi? No. The least dangerous aspect of giving your dog sushi is the chance that they could get parasites from the raw seafood. Sushi may contain a variety of substances that are unsafe or not suggested for canine ingestion, like garlic or avocado, depending on the preparation method.
Bivalves
They can be great additions to your dog’s food. But caution is key, as most bivalves have toxins in their tissues. They also have hard shells, which can be a choking problem.
So, can Frenchies eat bivalves? Yes. Bivalve foods like oysters are safe in moderation. Serving them frequently raises the chances of paralytic shellfish poisoning, injuries, and blockages.
Best Ways to Prepare Seafood For Your Frenchie
Seafood is tasty, nutritious, and healthy. Preparing seafood at home is a proper way to ensure you avoid seasonings and spices. Here’s a recipe to try at home:
Fish filet and vegetables
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of fish filet
- 1 can of pink salmon
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups of diced veggies
- 1 cup of rice
Procedure
- Cook fish filets and salmon.
- In a different pot, cook rice.
- Cook veggies separately.
- Combine cooked veggies, salmon, filet, eggs, and rice.
- Serve at room temperature
How to Feed Seafood to Your Dog
Here are some tips on how to serve seafood to your Frenchie:
- Avoid seasoning.
- Cook seafood thoroughly.
- Look for small fish like tilapia and salmon.
- Remove bones, scales, and shells.
- Cut into small pieces.
Which Dog Food Brands Use Seafood in Their Foods?
Seafood is rich in high-quality nutrients like minerals, omegas, vitamins, and proteins, which keep your dog strong and healthy. Here are some dog food brands that use seafood in their recipes.
- American Journey: Their recipe, American Journey, Grain-Free Salmon, and Sweet Potato Dry Food, features salmon as the number one ingredient for lean muscles and an energetic dog. Sweet potatoes provide fiber and energy, while chicken meal provides glucosamine for joint health.
- Holistic Select: Their recipe, Holistic Select Anchovy, Sardines, and Salmon Dry Food, is packed with proteins (25%), omegas, and glucosamine thanks to the inclusion of anchovy, sardine, and salmon meals.
How much Seafood should Frenchies eat?
Frenchies can eat a range of fish, but it’s crucial to pay attention to the size and species of fish they eat. Frenchies can safely consume smaller species like sardines or anchovies in moderation. Due to their increased fat content, larger types like salmon should only be eaten sparingly. Incorporating fish in moderation into your dog’s diet supplies vital nutrients that benefit its health.
What seafood can dogs not eat?
Dogs cannot eat high-mercury seafood. Such seafood includes king mackerel and tilefish. Consuming them exposes your dog to the risk of mercury poisoning.
Is sardine good for dogs?
Yes. Well-prepared sardines are safe for dogs. It is important to consume sardines in moderation, as too much increases the risk of obesity.
What is the safest fish for dogs?
Cooked, deboned, deshelled, and low-mercury fish are the safest for dogs. Like cooked salmon, consuming fish is healthy and nutritious for your dog.
Can dogs have seafood allergies?
Yes. Though rare, dogs can have seafood allergies. Common symptoms to watch out for include itchy skin, obsessive chewing, and hives.
Can dogs eat imitation crab?
No, dogs should never eat imitation crab. An imitation crab is not a real crab. It is made up of whitefish and other unhealthy additives.
Can dogs eat seafood broth/chowder?
Yes. Dogs can eat seafood chowder. But you should serve plain seafood chowder without any seasonings or spices.
Can dogs eat lobster?
Yes. Dogs can safely eat cooked lobster. Lobster is an excellent treat for your dog. Raw lobster is, however, unhealthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat shrimp?
Yes. Cooked shrimp is safe for dogs. Cooked shrimp, in moderation, provides nutrients like omegas and proteins for your dog’s overall well-being.
Is Seafood Right for My Frenchie? Final Thoughts
Now you have the information at your fingertips.
Properly-cooked, deshelled, and deboned seafood is an excellent source of selenium, B vitamins, omega fatty acids, and proteins. These are the building blocks of a healthy and strong French Bulldog.
Some seafood is, however, not safe for your Frenchie. They may have toxins or high mercury levels, making them unhealthy. Such seafood includes tuna and king mackerel.
Although some seafood is safe and healthy for your French Bulldog, moderation is key. Consuming large amounts of seafood increases the risk of pancreatitis and other health issues due to its high-fat content.
Always talk to the vet before introducing seafood to your French Bulldog.