Can Dogs Eat Crab Sticks?

Crab imitation sticks, also known as krab or mock crab, are an inexpensive and readily available alternative to the much more expensive real crab meat. So, no wonder it is a staple in many households in the country.

But you may be wondering whether dogs can eat crab sticks too.

The short answer is that while krab sticks are not toxic for canines, they contain too much salt and certain synthetic ingredients, which can harm your pup.

Read on for a brief overview of why you shouldn’t add imitation crab meat to your dog’s regular diet.

Dogs Can Safely Eat Imitation Crab Meat, But They Really Shouldn’t

While eating a few krab sticks will hardly harm your pup, adding these highly processed products to your dog’s everyday diet is not recommended.

The reason is that these sticks are made of highly processed white fish. They have added artificial colors, flavors, synthetic preservatives, and a lot of salt.

Some dogs, especially those with more sensitive stomachs, may suffer from digestive upsets as a result of eating this processed food.

Others with seafood allergies are at risk of mild to severe allergic reactions from the ingredients added to krab sticks.

Salt is yet another ingredient in imitation crab sticks that is not good for canines. In excess, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, heart issues, and more.

Krab often contains the artificial food coloring called Carmine. It gives the sticks a red color and is made of dead bugs. It is known to cause respiratory problems in some pups, especially those with asthma.

These surimi crab sticks also contain potassium chloride as an artificial flavoring. This can lead to digestive issues in dogs, such as bloating or smelly feces.

The disodium inosinate, which is used for making imitation crab meat, can cause burning and discomfort in the dog’s mouth and chest areas, swelling, and itchy skin.

So, overall, imitation crab sticks contain more potentially harmful ingredients than beneficial ones for canines. This is why you should abstain from giving your four-legged companion krab sticks as a regular snack or treat.

But if your furbaby has gotten a hold of a few of these sticks, don’t panic because a couple or so will most likely cause no harm to your pet.

Instead, opt for some real, unprocessed fish and seafood products, such as salmon, herring, whitefish, Arctic char, flounder, or walleye. These are rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and are superb protein sources, especially for pups that are allergic to other more common proteins, such as poultry.

Further Reading:

• Can Dogs Eat Fish Sticks? Adding Fish To Your Dog’s Diet