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  • ADM and Gnubiotics Sciences announce partnership

    ADM and Gnubiotics Sciences to partner.

  • 4 ways companies can foster innovation

    Speaking at Petfood Essentials, former Google executive Steve Lerch explains the four principles companies must follow to encourage employees to voice their ideas.

  • Petcurean celebrates Mud Bay

    Petcurean celebrates Mud Bay PSC accreditation.

  • Winpak updates financial info

    Winpak releases first quarter financial data.

  • National pet industry exceeds $123 billion in sales

    American Pet Products Association releases 2021 data.

  • US pet food, treat sales hit record US$50 billion in 2021

    This is the second consecutive record-setting year for the industry, with continued growth expected for 2022.

  • US pet food, treat sales hit record USUS$50 billion in 2021

    This is the second consecutive record-setting year for the industry, with continued growth expected for 2022.

  • Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?

    Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?

    can dogs eat shrimp

    We love our dogs, and our quest to pamper our pooches is never-ending. From delicious fruits to homemade puppuccinos, we want to share everything we enjoy with our dogs! Unfortunately, not everything that we eat is safe for your canine companion. 

    Some foods are just not good for dogs, like high-sugar foods and salty snacks while others are downright deadly like chocolate. But, what about foods that are similar to things we know dogs can eat? For example, we know dogs can enjoy meats like chicken, beef, and pork, but what about other proteins? 

    Today, we’ll be covering seafood. Specifically: shrimp!

    Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?

    Yes! As long as you thoroughly cook and peel the shrimp, your pup can happily enjoy a little bit of this scrumptious treat! 

    Shrimp is high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and protein, two things that are fabulous for your pooch. When enjoyed in moderation, shrimp is a generally healthy treat option for your pup. 

    The biggest risk associated with feeding shrimp to your dog is bacterial contamination. Raw shrimp can carry harmful bacteria that could make your dog sick, so it’s important to fully cook any shrimp you share with your pup. 

    Can Dogs Be Allergic to Shrimp?

    Yes, dogs can be allergic to shrimp. Like humans, individual dogs can have allergic reactions to a variety of foods, including shrimp and shellfish. Some dogs may even be severely allergic, which could cause swelling of the throat, possible trouble breathing, and dangerous complications if left untreated. 

    Most allergic reactions will cause vomiting or diarrhea, so if your dog experiences either of these symptoms after eating a small amount of shrimp, you should avoid giving your dog shrimp in the future. 

    How To Prepare Shrimp for Dogs

    can dogs eat shrimp

    Photo credit: @valentepug

    If you’re going to prepare shrimp for your pooches, it’s best to offer them plain shrimp. Remove the shell and tail, cook the shrimp, and hold the salt and spices. If you’re cooking shrimp for yourself, cook a shrimp for your dog first before the pan is seasoned, then set it aside to cool. 

    Small shrimp may be fed whole to medium and large dogs, but large shrimp should be cut into manageable bite-sized pieces to avoid choking. 

    How Much Shrimp Can Dogs Eat?

    Most dogs shouldn’t eat shrimp more than once or twice a week. 1-2 small to medium sized shrimp once a week is plenty for a mid-large sized dog, and smaller dogs should probably be limited to just one. 

    Some dog-food formulas contain shrimp or shrimp parts. In these cases, you should follow the feeding instructions of the manufacturer or your veterinarian. 

    Can Dogs Eat Seafood?

    Beyond shrimp, dogs can enjoy a wide variety of seafood options like salmon, tuna, and whitefish varieties. Many commercial kibbel, freeze dried, and raw dog food formulas include seafood and seafood ingredients like salmon and cod liver oil since seafood is a fantastic source of healthy fats and protein. 

    Can Dogs Eat Shrimp: The FAQ

    Of course, that’s not the end of this crustacean’s tale! There are still a few other questions that puppy parents will want answered. To help you out, we’ve gathered and answered some of the most common questions about dogs and shrimp.

    Can Dogs Eat Raw Shrimp?

    It’s best to avoid feeding raw shrimp to your dog since you cannot be sure whether the raw shrimp harbors bacteria or not. 

    Can Dogs Eat Cooked Shrimp?

    Yes! Cooked shrimp is a healthy and delightful treat for your pooch. As we’ve already noted, the best way to offer shrimp to your pup is by removing the shells and tails, cooking it, and serving it plain without salt or seasoning. 

    Can Dogs Eat Shrimp Tempura?

    can dogs eat shrimp tempura

    Yes, but also no. There are no ingredients in shrimp tempura that are directly harmful to dogs, but it’s not a healthy option, and the frying oil could give your dog a stomach ache.

    Can Dogs Eat Fried Shrimp?

    Much like shrimp tempura, fried shrimp is a fatty and excessively greasy food for your canine companion. You should not feed your pup fried shrimp. Instead, offer them plain grilled and or cooked shrimp, and hold the seasoning!

    Can Dogs Eat Shrimp Tails?

    can dogs eat shrimp tails?

    No. Avoid feeding your dog shrimp tails or shells, since this could cause choking or intestinal irritation. 

    If your pup eats a shrimp tail, closely monitor their behavior. If they begin to show signs of distress, lethargy, pain, or anything abnormal, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

    The Final Verdict

    Yes! Shrimp are a tasty, healthy treat to share with your dog, just be sure to feed in moderation.

  • Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

    Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

    Salty, buttery, crunchy, and so easy to eat by the handful, popcorn is one of the top snacks out there! Perfect for enjoying during a movie, for a light snack, or just because, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t like at least one kind of popcorn. But humans aren’t the only ones who love this (semi) healthy snack. 

    dog with a big bowl of popcorn

    Photo Credit: @bullterrierfred

     Dogs love popcorn too, and if you’ve ever seen a dog chomp down on a piece of popcorn, you know that it’s a delightfully funny experience! But, should our dogs really be enjoying this movie-theater treat, or should we save the popcorn for ourselves?

    Dogs & Popcorn: The Facts

    The simple answer to “can dogs eat popcorn” is yes! But, as is often the reality with owning dogs, there’s some important information you need to know before you start giving your dog popcorn as a treat. 

    Nutritional Value of Popcorn

    Corn is generally safe for dogs, but it doesn’t necessarily add any nutritional value to their diets. Many commercial dog food companies use cornmeal as a filler in their formulas, and while some say that the addition of corn adds important nutrients to the complete diet, there is plenty of debate on the topic of adding grain to dog food formulas. 

    This said, popcorn, in general, isn’t bad for your dog, especially in moderation; it just isn’t “healthy,” either. 

    Dogs can safely eat corn and corn products as long as they do not also contain added ingredients that could be harmful. When in doubt, stick to plain, unsalted, air-popped popcorn. 

    Pros of Letting Dogs Eat Popcorn

    dog with popcorn stuck in its fur

     Photo credit: @brightontolondon 

    Lots of dogs love popcorn, probably in part because their humans love it so much! Giving your dog a piece of popcorn now and then is a fun way to treat them, and can give you a few moments of entertainment, too. Try feeding a piece of popcorn to your dog, and you’ll know exactly what we mean…just prepare for some serious crunching!

    Possible Risks

     

    Whenever you give your dog a new food, it’s important to know whether there could be risks. Popcorn is a relatively safe food to share with your pooch, but there are still a few considerations to make:

  • Allergies: Dogs can have allergies just like people, and sometimes they are allergic to food! Most allergic reactions to corn aren’t serious, but it’s still a good idea to test the waters with a single piece of popcorn. After your dog has had their crunchy treat, keep an eye on them for 24-48 hours to make sure they handle it well. See signs of stomach ache, gas, vomiting, or diarrhea? Your dog could be allergic, and you should consider avoiding popcorn and corn products in the future.

  • Choking Hazards: Popcorn has the potential to get caught in the throat, especially if they are semi unpopped, or still have hard shells intact. Popcorn can also get stuck in teeth, irritating the gums. Be sure to supervise your pup with popcorn and all treats, foods, or chews in case of a choking emergency.

  • Added Ingredients: Salt, butter, and artificial flavorings are delicious, but not good for dogs. High levels of fat and sodium are a recipe for vomiting and diarrhea, and in large amounts can lead to heart disease, pancreatitis, inflammatory diseases, and other chronic conditions. None of these ingredients are toxic in small amounts, but you should not make it a habit to share flavored popcorn with your dog.
  • Can Dogs Eat Popcorn FAQ

    dog eating popcorn

    Photo credit: @enid.does

    Still looking for an answer to your specific question? Here are some of the most common ones we get about dogs and popcorn. 

    Can Dogs Eat Buttered Popcorn? 

    Yes, but in moderation! A piece or two of buttered popcorn now and then is safe for your pup, but it’s not the best kind of popcorn for their tummies. Regular butter from your fridge is the best option if you must use butter since the artificial stuff contains lots of preservatives. 

    Can Dogs Eat Caramel Popcorn? 

    No! High-sugar foods and desserts are not safe to feed your dog. Not only is caramel popcorn too high in sugar, but it could also cause tooth decay. 

    Can Dogs Eat Popcorn Kernels? 

    No! But also yes. If your dog gets an unpopped popcorn kernel there’s no need to panic, but that doesn’t mean you should intentionally give your dog unpopped kernels. Unpopped kernels can be a choking hazard and could upset your dog’s stomach. 

    Can Dogs Eat Microwave Popcorn? 

    Yes, but not the kind with extra butter. Like regular buttered popcorn, a piece or two of microwave popcorn is perfectly fine for your pup every once in a while. Just don’t give them the kind with the extra movie-theater butter, since this could give them tummy trouble. 

    Can Dogs Eat White Cheddar Popcorn? 

    Yes, but in moderation! Like buttered popcorn, white cheddar popcorn is high in fat, salt, and lactose, all things your dog shouldn’t be getting often. 

    How Much Popcorn Can a Dog Eat? 

    Even if you are only giving your dog air-popped, unsalted, unbuttered popcorn, you should still feed in moderation. Remember to make sure your dog has fully finished each piece before you give them another, and try to limit them to just a few (3-7 depending on size) less than once a week.

    Type of Popcorn

    Can Dogs Eat It?

    How Much?

    Air-popped, unsalted

    Yes!

    3-7 fully popped kernels

    Air-popped, salted

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Air-popped, salted w. butter

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Microwave, unsalted

    Yes!

    3-7 fully popped kernels

    Microwave, salted

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Microwave, salted w. “butter”

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Stove-top, olive oil, unsalted

    Yes!

    3-7 fully popped kernels

    Stove-top, coconut oil, unsalted

    Yes!

    3-7 fully popped kernels

    Stove-top, vegetable oil, unsalted

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Stove-top, salted

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Stove-top, salted w. butter

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels

    Caramel Popcorn

    No!

    None!

    White Cheddar Popcorn

    Sometimes

    1-3 fully popped kernels