Raw Shellfish for Dogs - Mollusks

[dogs4life]

Anyone feed raw oysters, scallops, clams, mussels, octopus, squid, abalone, sea snails, cuttlefish, or other mollusks?

I was looking into shelled whole blue mussels and clams because they're economical, anti-inflammatory and have great amino acid profiles. I'm however a little concerned about the B12 levels, Vitamin C and the Iron levels, they seem a little high.

What do you all think?

Raw Shelled Clams Nutrition value from Nutrition Facts and Information for Mollusks, clam, mixed species, raw

Vitamins

Vitamin A 681 IU 14%
Vitamin C 29.5 mg 49%
Thiamin 0.2 mg 12%
Riboflavin 0.5 mg 28%
Niacin 4.0 mg 20%
Vitamin B12 112 mcg 1870%


Minerals

Calcium 104 mg 10%
Iron 31.7 mg 176%
Phosphorus 384 mg 38%
Manganese 1.1 mg 57%
Selenium 55.2 mcg 79%

Whole Shelled Raw Blue Mussels Nutrition values from Nutrition Facts and Information for Mollusks, mussel, blue, raw

Vitamins

Vitamin C 12.0 mg 20%
Vitamin B12 18.0 mcg 300%

Minerals

Manganese 5.1 mg 255%
Selenium 67.2 mcg 96%

[calgal]

My guys get fresh salmon once a week when we grill, and they get tuna. (in the pouch) If I had a cat I would give it raw fish, but not my dogs.

[Rivsky]

I think it'd be alright in moderation - but if you are concerned about the high levels maybe make a point to not feed them too regularly.

River absolutely LOVES seafood - he's eaten shrimp (sometimes with at least part of the shell attached), raw sardines, tuna, and cooked snapper, whiting, octopus and has been known to pick up small crabs from the beach and crunch right through them.

I was a little hesitant about feeding raw fish but he's been having one a week for a few months now and haven't noticed any adverse effects from it - though it did take him a couple of times to get used to the idea that he could eat them.

[Cassiepeia]

My parents are fish mongers and I work in a seafood shop. We get a lot of people in buying fresh seafood for their dogs. One woman in particular buys around 4kgs of Mullet every month or so for her little dog. Seafood is great for dogs, but I'd feed it (as Rivsky said) in moderation. Particularly in the beginning and I'd avoid foods that had small bones in them. Salmon (as Calgal mentioned) is fantastic!

Cass.

[dogs4life]

Thanks everyone, I'm good with fishes, just haven't heard much about dog's eating shellfishes. SInce Hank will not eat organ meats, I was looking into other ways to balance his diet. I'll try both and see if he'll even eat them....crossing fingers!

[dogs4life]

Update on my research....I have not found any clams, oyster or mussels I'd bother buying yet I'll keep looking.

I'm still researching the use of mollusks in feline and canid diets, so I'll let you all know what I find. So far I've found canned bivalve feeders, no raw feeders yet