Can Dogs Eat Scallops?

Yes, scallops are not only safe but also healthy for dogs. However,  there are some precautions to consider before feeding this seafood to dogs to ensure their safety. First, scallops should be properly cooked before serving to dogs. This ensures that harmful bacteria and parasites do not find their way to your dog, wreaking havoc on its digestive system. Secondly, scallops for dogs should not contain any additives like oil, salts, or seasoning, which may cause digestive upset to your dog. Finally, these marine bivalves should be fed in moderation, just like any other good thing, as large amounts can cause health problems.

If fed in the right way, scallops can offer various health benefits to dogs.  They are an excellent source of lean proteins, which help dogs to build and maintain healthy muscles and provide the fuel they need for their activities and playtime. 

Scallops are also rich in several valuable minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Magnesium is crucial as it helps dogs absorb other minerals and vitamins. It also supports heart and nerve function. Potassium aids in maintaining body fluid balance, improves kidney and nerve health, as well as helps overall body health. Phosphorus is vital for strong bones.

While cooked scallops are safe for dogs, the fried version of this delicacy is not. The high amounts of fats in fried scallops put dogs at the risk of obesity, stomach upset, and pancreatitis. Thus, this should never be fed to dogs, even in small quantities.

Raw Scallops 

Raw or poorly cooked scallops are unhealthy and extremely dangerous for dogs to consume. Feeding these to your dog may make it seriously ill. Worse still, dogs may pass infection-causing parasites in raw scallops to other family members, especially young children.

Can dogs eat raw scallops safely?

No, dogs can’t and should never eat uncooked scallops. This is because, like other seafood, raw scallops harbor harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can cause serious health issues to dogs. Some of the viruses you may find in raw scallops include Astrovirus or Parvoviridae and bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella. The most common parasites found in this food include tapeworm, roundworm, and trematodes.

These parasites and microorganisms can cause abdominal pains, vomiting, gastroenteritis, and salmonella infection among other health problems. However, cooking scallops will destroy these harmful bacteria and parasites, making them safe for dogs.

Grilled Scallops

Grilled scallops are tasty and flavorful. Usually, people add seasonings and oils while grilling scallops to enhance their taste and make them more appealing. However, how safe is grilled scallops for dogs? Let’s find out.

Can dogs eat grilled scallops?

Yes, dogs can eat grilled scallops, but only if no seasonings or butter is used in the grilling process. If you decide to feed your dog scallops, ensure they are plain as any seasonings, oils, or spices added can upset its stomach.

Grilled scallops should also be served in moderation. Giving a large number of scallops to dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive system issues.

Fried Scallops 

Fried foods generally are not good for dogs. They are very high in oils and unhealthy fats, which can cause serious health complications to dogs if fed in large amounts. It’s thus best to keep fried foods, scallops included, out of your dog’s way.

Can dogs eat fried scallops safely?

No, dogs can’t eat fried scallops safely. This is due to their high-fat content that poses various health risks to dogs if consumed in large amounts. Fried scallops can cause gastrointestinal upset including diarrhea and vomiting in dogs and pancreatitis, obesity, and heart problems in the long run.

Pancreatitis is a serious condition marked by inflammation of the pancreas. If not properly handled, this condition can even be fatal. Symptoms of pancreatitis include:

• Vomiting
• Increased heartbeat
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Abdominal tenderness

Added seasonings in fried scallops are also another concern for dogs. The dogs’ systems are unable to handle these additives and can cause stomach upset.

Scallop Meat 

Scallop meat is not only safe but also loaded with helpful nutrients. It’s a good source of protein, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and some good amounts of omega fats that contribute to the overall health of dogs.

Can dogs eat scallop meat safely?

Yes, dogs can eat scallop meat safely provided it’s properly cooked and devoid of any additives like spices, oils, butter, and other seasonings which can be problematic to dogs. Removing the shells from scallops before feeding eliminates the choking risk to dogs. 

When fed in moderation, scallop meat can help dogs build healthy muscles, bones, and teeth, as well as improve heart, nerve, and kidney functions. However, feeding too much scallop meat can cause tummy upset, including diarrhea and vomiting in dogs.

Baked Scallop 

Scallops for dogs can be prepared in various ways including boiling, steaming, grilling, or baking. When baking scallops for dogs, stay away from spices, oils, and other seasonings and stick to plain scallops.

Can dogs eat baked scallops safely?

Yes, dogs can eat scallops safely as long as it’s baked plain without any seasonings, oils, or salts. Dogs aren’t capable of handling these additives as they can disturb their stomachs. Just like other versions of cooked scallops, baked scallops should be fed in small amounts to avoid causing stomach upset to dogs.

What Else Can Dogs Eat Together with Scallops?

The following foods can go well with scallops for dogs:

Carrots: Carrots are highly delicious and packed with multiple nutrients that support the overall well-being and health of dogs. They are low in calories but contain a lot of antioxidants that help in fighting diseases, combating oxidative stress, and slowing down the aging process in canines.

Can dogs eat carrots safely?

These vegetables also contain vitamins such as vitamin C and K. These help in boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, enhancing blood clotting, and promoting bone health and density.

Minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese are also present in carrots. These are important in supporting several body functions and enhancing overall health.

However, feeding whole carrots to dogs presents a choking risk. It’s thus crucial to chop these into small pieces to minimize this risk. Feeding too many carrots can lead to obesity, diarrhea, tooth decay, and other digestive issues.

Green beans: Dogs can safely eat both raw and cooked green beans provided they are served plain without any oils, salts, and other seasonings which can be harmful to dogs. Canned green beans are also safe for dogs as long as they are preserved in water and not brine.

Can dogs eat Green Beans safely?

Green beans are high in critical vitamins like A, B6, C, and K, all of which are beneficial to immune health, vision, and reproduction. Important minerals including iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and manganese are also abundant in these vegetables. These are crucial for blood production, bone, heart, and kidney health, body fluid balance maintenance, and healthy metabolism.

Due to their low-calorie content and high dietary fiber amounts, these vegetables are ideal for weight management in dogs. They help keep dogs satiated for longer, thus helping them maintain a healthy weight. 

However, green beans should be fed in small amounts, as they can cause upset stomachs in dogs due to their highly fibrous nature.

Blueberries: Blueberries are healthy and safe for dogs to consume in moderation. They are packed with nutrients that can give a big boost to a dog’s health. Because these fruits are low in calories but high in fiber, they make an excellent snack for dogs struggling with digestion and weight management.

Other benefits of blueberries for dogs include:

• They contain anthocyanins which help reduce the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.
• They contain vitamins A, C, and K which help in reducing inflammation, supporting proper coat and skin health, boosting immunity, and promoting bone health and density. Vitamin K is also essential in blood coagulation. 
• Blueberries are loaded with minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus which play crucial roles in a dog’s body.

However, these fruits are also very high in fiber and natural sugar and can thus lead to digestive upset, weight gain, diabetes, or dental problems if consumed in large amounts.

Cantaloupe: This is a superfood that’s not only healthy but also enjoyed by dogs. It’s packed with beneficial nutrients for dogs including minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Besides containing 90% water, which makes it an excellent hydrating snack for dogs, this fruit has the following other benefits for dogs:

Can dogs eat cantaloupe safely?

• Dietary fiber: The meaty part of cantaloupe provides a good amount of fiber, which keeps things moving smoothly in the digestive systems and prevents constipation in dogs.
• Antioxidants: This fruit contains lutein, choline, zeaxanthin, selenium, and vitamins A and C which are all powerful antioxidants that help in fighting free radicals, boost immunity, and combat diseases in dogs.
• Magnesium: cantaloupe is high in magnesium, which aids in the metabolism of proteins and fatty acids
• Manganese: This is essential for energy production, protein and carbs breakdown, as well as bone and cartilage maintenance.

What are the health advantages of feeding Scallops to your dog? 

Scallops are not only delicious but also packed with health benefits for dogs. Some of the health advantages that dogs can get from scallops include:

• Healthy muscles and tissues: Scallops are extremely rich in lean proteins. These supply the essential amino acids that dogs need to build, repair, and maintain healthy tissues, cells, and muscles and to ensure proper growth.
• Boosts energy: The proteins available in scallops form important sources of additional energy for dogs. This is essential for fueling their activities and play and keeping them healthy and active.
• Rich sources of omega fatty acids and vitamin D: Scallops come with generous amounts of fatty acids and vitamin D which can help in regulating heart rates, promoting cell growth, improving skin and hair condition, and maintaining strong teeth and healthy gums.
• Healthy bones and teeth: Scallops are rich in calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, which are essential in building strong and healthy bones in dogs.
• Improved immune and nervous systems: This seafood contains minerals like magnesium, which improves the immune system in dogs. The potassium present in scallops is also great for the nervous system.
• Better heart functioning: Scallops are loaded with magnesium. This mineral plays a crucial role in promoting the proper functioning of the heart.

What are the disadvantages of feeding Scallops to your dog? 

While scallops are filled with health benefits, there are some disadvantages that are associated with feeding them to dogs. These include:

• Digestive upset: Just like other human foods, feeding a high amount of scallops to dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and other signs of digestive upsets. Scallops that include spices and other seasonings are also likely to cause stomach upset in dogs.
• Parasitic and bacterial infections: Feeding raw scallops to your dog puts it at the risk of getting parasitic infections. Raw seafood, scallops included, harbor harmful bacteria and parasites including E. Coli, salmonella, shigella, roundworm, and tapeworms.
• Allergic reactions: Although rare, some dogs are allergic to scallops and may react adversely to consuming them. Feed this in very small amounts for the first time and watch out for any adverse reactions.

What are the best dog foods with Scallops? 

Scallops are not only delicious but also highly nutritious and beneficial for dogs. They are packed with protein that’s essential in building and maintaining healthy tissues and muscles. These bivalves also contain good amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and magnesium, which play crucial roles in supporting the overall health of dogs.

Magnesium is a necessary mineral that helps dogs absorb other minerals and vitamins and boost immune health. Phosphorus and calcium help enhance bone strength and health, while potassium is necessary for the proper functioning and health of the nervous system.

Some dog food brands include scallops in their formulations, given these health benefits. Some of the best dog foods containing scallops are:

• Inaba Churu Rolls Chicken with Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
• Inaba Churu Bites Wraps Chicken with Tuna Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Dog Treats

How Much Scallops Should I Feed My Dog? 

Although scallops are healthy and safe for dogs to consume, they should not be fed regularly or in large amounts. Giving a high amount of scallops to dogs can lead to digestive upsets including diarrhea and vomiting.

Scallops should thus be fed occasionally and in very small amounts as treats or infrequently as a way of sprucing up your dog’s mealtime. Generally, this should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s total daily calories. 

The specific amount of scallops that a dog can eat however depends on its size and weight. The bigger the dog, the more the number of scallops it can take and vice versa. The table below shows the number of calories that dogs can get from scallops based on their weight.