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If you’re like me, you probably love feeding your dog table scraps. And what could be better than seafood? In particular, one of my all-time favorites, squid!
Well, can dogs eat squid? What about calamari?
We spoke with our veterinary consultant, Dr. Littlejohn, and checked with other vets on vin.com to hear their thoughts.
In short, the answer is yes, dogs can eat squid, but with a few caveats.
First, it’s important to remember that how we prepare squid is vital to how healthy it is for our dogs. Squid that is dried, deep-fried, or has added ingredients is not a good choice. Whereas plain cooked squid is a good option. It’s a lean protein low in calories and a great source of vitamins and minerals.
We will cover more details on this below.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- Why squid can be good and bad for dogs
- The dangers & benefits associated with dogs eating squid
- What to do if your dog eats too much squid
- If dogs can eat squid if prepared in different ways
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Squid?
In short, the answer appears to be yes. Dogs can eat squid! However, a few things to keep in mind before you start feeding your pup this seafood treat.
For example, squid can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, but only when prepared right.
It can give them a good source of lean protein, omega-three fatty acids, and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.
However, squid prepared differently can remove some of the benefits and add some risks.
For example, raw squid can be tough on some dogs’ stomachs, especially those not used to a raw diet.
On the other hand, fried squid is never a good idea for dogs to eat. It’s high in unhealthy fats and usually full of salt.
Dried squid is okay for dogs in moderation, but, like all dried foods, it’s very high in salt, and if dogs eat too much, it can cause salt poisoning.
So dogs can eat squid but make sure it is appropriately prepared. It’s best to give them plain cooked squid in moderation.
Also, remember that some dogs can be allergic to seafood, so keep an eye out for any adverse reactions after feeding your dog squid for the first time.
As with any food you introduce to your dog for the first time, it’s always best to start with a small amount and see how they react before feeding them more.
If you’re unsure whether or not your dog can eat squid, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian first.
Here are the nutritional facts for squid.
Squid Nutritional Facts
This is for a portion of 100g calculated from the U.S. Departement Of Agriculture (USDA).
Calories 92 kcal | Carbohydrate 3.08 g |Fat 1.38 g |Saturated Fat 0.36 g | Monounsaturated Fat 0.11 g | Polyunsaturated Fat 0.52 g | Omega-3 Fatty Acids 0.50 g | Omega-6 Fatty Acids 0.01 g | Protein 15.58 g
Vitamins
Riboflavin (B2) 0.41 mg | Cobalamin (B12) 1.30 mcg | Choline 65.0 mg | Niacin (B3) 2.18 mg |Vitamin C 4.70 mg |Vitamin E 1.20 mg | Pantothenic Acid (B5) 0.50 mg | Pyridoxine (B6) 0.06 mg |Thiamin (B1) 0.02 mg | Folate 5.0 mcg | Vitamin A 10 mcg
Minerals
Copper 1.89 mg | Selenium 44.8 mcg | Phosphorus 221.0 mg | Zinc 1.53 mg | Magnesium 33.0 mg | Potassium 246.0 mg | Iron 0.68 mg | Calcium 32.0 mg | Sodium 44.0 mg | Manganese 0.04 mg
Can Dogs Eat Dried Squid?
Dried squid is okay for dogs to eat in small amounts. However, dried foods are usually very high in salt.
If dogs eat too much, it can cause salt poisoning, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
It’s best to give your dog a small piece of dried squid as a treat and not make it a regular part of their diet.
Can Dogs Eat Calamari?
Calamari is just fried squid with a batter which is not suitable for dogs to eat. In addition, it’s high in unhealthy fats and usually full of salt.
The batter and seasonings used when making calamari can cause dogs to have upset stomachs.
Any food deep-fried is not good to feed your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Squid?
Raw squid can be tough on some dogs’ stomachs. However, dogs used to a raw food diet may not have a problem.
If you’re going to feed your dog raw squid, it’s best to start with a small amount and see how they react before feeding them more.
If your dog can handle the raw squid it can be a great addition to their diet. Squid contains a good source of protein, healthy fats, and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Can Dogs Eat Squid Ink?
Squid ink is safe for dogs to eat. The biggest risk for dogs is if they eat too much or have a squid or shellfish allergy.
Otherwise, it’s okay for dogs to eat squid ink in small amounts.
Health Benefits Of Squid For Dogs
Squid is packed with vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial for dogs. For example, it’s a good source of:
- Protein: helps support strong muscles and a healthy coat
- Omega-three fatty acids: can improve cognitive function, joint health, and skin health
- Vitamin B12: helps with energy production and red blood cell formation
- Selenium: an important antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage
- Copper: helps with the absorption of iron and is necessary for proper immune system function
- Iodine: supports thyroid health
These are just a few good nutrient sources dogs get from eating squid.
While many potential health benefits are associated with feeding squid to dogs, there are also some risks.
Can Squid Be Poisonous For Dogs?
No, squid is not poisonous for dogs. However, suppose your dog has seafood or shellfish allergy. In that case, they can have a severe reaction, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, and vomiting.
Dangers Of Dogs Eating Squid
Here are the main dangers for dogs eating squid:
Allergies
Squid can also be a problem for dogs with seafood allergies. As mentioned earlier, if your dog has a seafood allergy, they can have a severe reaction, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives, and vomiting.
Choking
Squid can be a choking hazard for dogs.
If you’re going to feed your dog squid, cut it into small pieces.
Eating squid can also cause intestinal blockage if your dog overeats and swallows large pieces whole. It also doesn’t help that squid can be challenging for some dogs to digest.
Overeating
Another danger is feeding your dog too much squid.
Dried or fried squid can be high in salt, leading to salt poisoning in dogs if they overeat.
Symptoms of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
It’s best to avoid giving your dog dried squid and only give them small pieces of fresh or cooked squid as treats or toppers for their food.
Raw or cooked squid is fine for eating, but if you want to make it the main staple in your dog’s diet, it is best to speak with your veterinarian first.
What To Do If Your Dog Overeats Squid
If your dog gets their paws into an entire plate of calamari or cooked squid, you might be wondering what you should do.
Most of the time, dogs who overeat something they shouldn’t end up with diarrhea and stinky farts for a day or two.
If they ate a lot of squid, keep an eye on their stool. Diarrhea can dehydrate a dog quickly, so make sure they have plenty of water to drink.
If your dog is vomiting, has a fever, or seems lethargic, give your vet a call.
These can be signs of something more severe like salt poisoning or an allergic reaction.
If your dog has a seafood allergy, they will likely need to be seen by a veterinarian as they can have a severe reaction.
Symptoms usually depend on how much they got into, the ingredients in the food, and how big your dog is.
If your dog ate a bunch of calamari high in salt, this is more dangerous than if they just ate a few pieces of plain cooked squid.
After speaking with Dr. Littlejohn to find out what he’d recommend, here are the main takeaways I got.
Vets online or over the phone will usually ask about the following things:
- Ingredients in the food
- Amount consumed
- The size of your dog
- How long ago they consumed it
- Any changes to your dog’s behaviors
- Your dog’s energy level
- Signs of physical pain or discomfort
- If your dog’s drinking or eating
- If they vomited or pooped since eating it (and what it looked like)
Knowing these common questions vets will ask can help determine what you should pay attention to.
Of course, you know your dog best, so if you think something is off, you’re likely right.
As a rule of thumb, always seek medical advice from your vet if you know they ate something dangerous or suspect an issue with your dog.
In rare cases, dogs who overeat may have more severe issues like pancreatitis, food bloat, or salt poisoning.
So always air on the side of caution.
You can also use online services to speak directly with a vet for immediate help.
Click here if you wish to speak with a vet online right now.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Is Calamari Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Generally speaking, calamari is safe for dogs to eat in minimal amounts. However, it’s not good for them due to the high salt content and added ingredients found in the batter and seasonings.
Calamari is not toxic to dogs, so technically safe. However, dogs should not eat calamari regularly. Calamari is usually sauteed, grilled, or fried, which makes it unhealthy for canine consumption.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp And Squid?
Yes, dogs can eat shrimp and squid. Shrimp is a good source of protein and omega-three fatty acids. As long as it’s cooked without adding seasoning or batter, it should be safe for your dog to eat.
Squid can also be given to dogs in small amounts as a treat or topper on their food. However, avoiding giving them shrimp and squid with any added ingredients is best.
Just be sure your dog has no seafood allergies before giving them either of these foods.
Other posts you might find interesting:
Can Dogs Eat Fish Heads? Dangers & Benefits (We Asked A Vet)
Can Dogs Eat Jelly? Is Jelly Safe For Dogs? (We Asked A Vet)