You're eating a nice seafood dinner and your furry friend is in his usual spot, under the table begging for scraps of food. Calamari is a delicious meal, but can dogs eat calamari? Should you give your dog a little calamari treat? Is calamari bad for dogs?

Maybe some calamari fell on the floor and your dog scooped it up and your wondering if there is any need for concern.

So can dogs eat calamari? Calamari is safe for dogs to eat, and a small amount won't hurt them. However, there are dangers to be aware of. Does this mean that dogs should eat calamari on a daily basis? Not at all.

Continue reading to learn about the benefits of calamari as well as the drawbacks of giving it to your dog.

The Healthy Side of Calamari

Calamari has a high protein content. Both people and dogs benefit from this protein. Protein  helps to build muscle mass in both humans and dogs.

Calamari also has a low calorie count. Calories can be lowered even further depending on how calamari is cooked. Beyond these benefits, calamari is rich in minerals that can benefit your dog.

High Protein Content

Calamari is a good source of protein, with about 30% of it being pure protein. Calamari is particularly beneficial to large and energetic dogs, who require a lot of protein.

Low Calorie Count

Calamari also has a low fat and calorie content. Calamari has a fat level of around 9%. It's a great food for dogs that need to lose weight and avoid obesity because it is heavy in protein.

Healthy Fats

Calamari is a wonderful source of omega-3 fatty acids, despite its low total fat content. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for heart health, lustrous skin, healthy joints, and general well-being.

Mineral-Rich

Zinc and copper are two beneficial minerals found in calamari. Zinc helps to promote cell division and development. It's also in charge of stopping excessive bleeding and promoting wound healing. Copper, on the other hand, works in tandem with iron to promote the development of red blood cells.

Is Calamari Bad for Dogs?

There are several problems with regularly feeding specific types of calamari. To begin with, breading and frying calamari adds a substantial number of calories, saturated fats, and salt to your pooch's diet, which will undoubtedly add weight to their body over time and may have bad effects on their heart health.

Second, introducing a new and unfamiliar diet to your dog may cause some concerning digestive issues, particularly in our canine pals with sensitive stomachs.

The manner in which calamari is prepared has the biggest effect on whether it is healthy or not for your dog.

High Sodium Content

Fried calamari has a high salt content. Sodium may harm your dog's health in a variety of ways. High salt consumption is linked to high blood pressure.

Salt poisoning is caused by a high-salt diet. It's a serious medical problem that can lead to organ failure, unconsciousness, and even death in pets.

Potential Allergies

Allergies and parasite infections are possible side effects of giving your dog calamari. Some dogs may have constipation, vomiting, and diarrhea as a result of eating seafood.

If your dog is allergic to calamari, signs & symptoms will occur quickly after ingestion. Symptoms include:

• Scratching
• Red skin
• Swollen face
• Itching eyes
• Hives
• Sneezing

If you notice these symptoms, take your dog to a medical clinic right away and phone the vet on the way.

High Fat Content

Feeding fried, breaded, or sautéed calamari to your dog can result in major health problems. These preparation methods will add a lot of saturated fats while taking away calamari's nutritional value. High-fat diets can promote pancreatitis and obesity in dogs. Symptoms such as fever, nausea, sadness, stomach discomfort, and vomiting might develop over time in your dog.

Mercury Toxicity

Calamari is also heavy in mercury. When mercury enters the body, it causes a wide range of neurological and behavioral problems. Emotional instability, frequent headaches, sleeplessness, and even convulsions are just some of the symptoms. 

If you believe your dog has high amounts of mercury, it's critical to have them treated right away.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Calamari?

So, can dogs eat calamari? Yes, but only as a snack. Calamari should not be eaten on a daily basis. Calamari that has been fried is not the finest option for your dog. Aside from losing all of its nutritional value, frying calamari adds a lot of unsaturated fats and sodium.

If your dog is on a raw food diet, you can offer raw calamari to them. If you're going to give your pet raw calamari, make sure it's from a reliable source. Calamari that has been eaten uncooked might be dangerous to your pet.

While modest amounts of squid as a treat aren't necessary harmful to your dog, feeding fried or breaded calamari to your dog has certain hazards; dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other digestive issues should stick to their usual diet.

If your dog eats some calamari and shows signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction or any type of negative response, contact your veterinarian right away for instruction on how to proceed.