Imitation crab is not real crab meat, but it is a mixture of different elements like surimi, a paste made from white fish, and several other preservatives to increase the shelf life. Food coloring is also added to the imitation version to make it appealing as human food, but the case may not be the same for dogs. The thing is, dogs will tend to chew on anything you give them, even when they should not eat it in the first place. Imitation crab meat has a lot of processed elements and contains harmful ingredients so they should not consume it.
Ingredients in Imitation Crab Meat That are Harmful to Dogs
Artificial coloring and flavoring are part of the ingredients that give the imitation crab meat the original taste. However, some of these additives make it a bad choice as dog food.
Carmine
It may sound insane, but carmine is made from dead insects and is utilized as an artificial food coloring. The substance is the reason for the cherry red color in items like yogurt or imitation crab meat. Now carmine is toxic to dogs and has been said to cause respiratory issues like asthma. If your dog takes too much, it could lead to breathing problems.
Sodium Pyrophosphate
It is a much stronger version of table salt. It is also found within tuna and chicken nuggets with high salt content compared to the table salt in human food. The additive has the same effects because of the sodium on dogs, leading to high blood pressure and eventual heart disease.
High Salt Levels
Aside from the other salts, imitation crab meat also has the typical table salt seasoning, which is too much for the dog. Dogs have a lower salt tolerance than humans, even if it strengthens their nervous systems. Imitation crab meat sticks, though, have too much of it, leading to high blood pressure, kidney and heart issues over the long term. Dogs cannot eat Vienna sausage, bacon grease, and other food for the same reason.
Potassium Chloride
This is one flavor addition that gives the food its savory taste. Interestingly, it is a salt that reduces the level of blood pressure and relaxes the blood vessels. In dogs, though, it will lead to darker and smellier stool. Though, if they take it in excess, potassium chloride [1] will cause vomiting, bloating, and overall nausea.
Food Coloring
Food colors are essential parts of imitation crab meat, but they are not healthy for pets. The Food and Drug Administration has only approved using ten food colors for human consumption, but these agents are not necessarily safe for dogs. Similarly, some dog food producers also contravene these policies, adding other harmful chemicals to their products.
Some have lead, arsenic, and mercury, which are toxic to human beings, so you can imagine what they would do to dogs. They also spoil your dog’s eating habits because of the appealing taste. Your dog may prefer artificial flavoring from these foods more than the taste of nature or organic options.
Disodium Isonate
This is an additive typically found within imitation crab meat and can cause the dog to have a tight feeling around the mouth if consumed in excess. It can also cause your dog to feel a burning sensation in the chest. Dogs that experience these symptoms are likely to sweat and pant. Their skin may also suffer, and they can develop swollen areas in the body.
Preventing the Dog from Eating Imitation Crab
Some dogs appreciate seafood, and the natural versions have nutrients to offer. This is not the case with imitation crab meat as it does not have omega-three or lean protein. That information is not available to dogs, of course, so they are likely to steal a few whenever possible. Preventing your dog from stealing a few imitation crab meat sticks whenever possible may mean changing your purchase behavior.
You may have to stop buying imitation crab sticks that would attract them because they would rather have it than kibble. Even if you purchase it, the dog will likely find a way to get to it unless it is stored high beyond their reach. They have an excellent sense of smell, so rooting the forbidden treats out would be easy.
Some pets may not like dog imitation crab meat sticks, but most do. Some of the signs you may want to consider to see if your pup is very fond of them is they jump and howl as soon as they get a whiff of the imitation crab meat in the kitchen. The dog’s ears will also go straight up when you take the imitation crab meat out. They will not be able to help themselves if they get a taste for crab sticks, so it would be advisable to avoid keeping them in the house altogether.
FAQs
Can dogs eat imitation crab?
Organic crab meat is not toxic to dogs and, in most cases, provides nutrients to the pup. Though, it would be advisable to avoid them especially if the dog has seafood allergies. Imitation crab meat however, has a lot of processed elements and contains harmful ingredients so dogs should not consume it.
What is imitation crab made of?
Imitation crab is made from surimi, a fish paste from shredded and pulverized fish. The fish is minced and heated into shapes resembling a crab limb’s meat. Eating imitation crab meat is a risk for dogs.
Can dogs eat crab meat?
Imitation crab meat has no nutritional value because it is a mixture of processed white fish and other additives. Dogs can technically eat imitation crab meat in very small quantities, but it is not healthy for them because of the additives and various chemicals in processed food.
