Many people aren’t sure just what types of ocean life are safe for their canine companions, so if you’re wondering whether seafood is safe for your personal protection dogs, you’re not alone.
Because our company offers personal protection dogs for sale, we understand the importance of having the right information to guide your dog’s feeding plan. Below, we’ll outline what’s safe, what’s not, and what’s okay in moderation when it comes to aquatic creatures.
Seafood That’s Safe
1. Seaweed
Seaweed can be found in health food stores and some grocery stores. Extremely high in minerals, protein, and fiber, the sheets you’ll find can be baked and sprinkled on your dog’s normal food to support organ function and aid digestion.
2. Kelp
Kelp is a type of seaweed that’s usually sold in the form of a supplement. Rich in minerals and amino acids, it’s a great addition to the diet of personal protection dogs and will benefit overall health. Use approximately .25 of a teaspoon for each pound of your dog’s body weight per day.
3. Oily Fish
Fish is a great choice for supplementing your canine’s food, but often larger fish are likely to have toxins, so stick to smaller fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel.
If you freeze the fish for a couple of weeks before using it, you’ll kill possible parasites. If you prefer the canned variety, you can purchase those instead. In either case, your dog will receive the benefits of calcium, Omega-3s, and protein.
4. Phytoplankton
These microscopic algae are an excellent source of trace minerals, antioxidants, and carotenoids as well as vitamins. Containing large amounts of DHA and EPA Omega-3s, they support immune and cognitive functions and aid joint health. They’ll also assist in digestive activity and can help prevent cancer.
5. Mussels
Green-lipped mussels to be exact, these creatures are full of Omega acids, enzymes, and antioxidants. As a natural supplier of glycosaminoglycans, they’ve been linked to easing discomfort and inflammation in connection with arthritis.
You can purchase them in powdered form or as frozen treats that you can give your protection dog every day to help with movement, healthy skin, and a well-functioning heart.
Seafood That You Should Be Careful With
1. Shrimp
Fresh, wild-caught shrimp is the best choice when it comes to this shellfish. However, you want to be sure to purchase shrimp from a trusted vendor since most of what you’ll find in your normal shopping outlets is farm-raised shrimp that frequently have unwanted chemicals from antibiotics and pesticides.
2. Salmon
Although this dog-preferred fish is chock-full of Omega-3s and vitamin D and offers a wide range of health benefits, you need to be careful when feeding it to your dog. As with shrimp, much salmon is farm-raised and contains antibiotics and other chemicals.
Instead, purchase wild-caught salmon and freeze it for a couple of weeks to kill harmful parasites that may be present.
3. Squid Oil
A new fad that’s storming the frontier is squid oil. As a source of Omega-3s, it also contains EPA and DHA which aid body functions. Squid is also boneless which means it’s often free of contaminants and radioactive elements.
The downside is that squid oil easily goes bad once it’s opened, so be sure to keep it refrigerated if you purchase it, and verify that it has been micro-filtered.
4. Oysters and Clams
These hinged-shell sea dwellers are filled with vitamin B12, protein, and numerous elements. They’re mostly free from contamination though they may pick up toxins from eating microalgae.
When supplementing your canine’s diet with these, ensure they’ve been harvested from clean waters and have been tested.
5. Spirulina
Jam-packed with nutrients and protein, spirulina is also a great source of vitamins and Omega-3s. This makes it an excellent benefit for immunity and digestive health along with cancer prevention.
However, exercise caution when adding spirulina to your dog’s diet, since poor-quality spirulina may be contaminated with lead, mercury, or other metals. Check out brands with high reviews and purchase only organic spirulina that comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA).
Seafood to Avoid
1. Fish Oil
Although fish oil has been touted as excellent for canines, we avoid giving this supplement to our personal protection dogs for sale. Even though it’s rich in Omega-3s, it’s very susceptible to damage from oxidization.
They also carry metal contaminants and PCBs. If you’d still like to give this supplement to your dog, make sure you ask for a COA, keep it refrigerated, and use it fast.
2. Krill Oil
Often suggested as an alternative to fish oil, krill oil has problems associated with it also. Despite companies promising sustainable harvesting, it’s important to verify that such claims are accurate.
Like fish oil, it oxidizes rapidly leaving it prone to breakdown and unsafe results. It does have a natural antioxidant thought that becomes less effective with time.
3. Tilapia
People love tilapia because of its mild properties and affordable cost, but it doesn’t offer much in the way of nutrition because it’s farm-raised. It’s also high in unhealthy fats.
Tilapia is generally safe as far as mercury contaminants. If you’d like to offer your dog this fish, make sure it carries an Aquaculture Stewardship Council seal.
Other fish
Large fish such as tuna, swordfish, and bluefish are better justify out of your dog’s diet because of heavy mercury contamination. Since these fish are predators, they consume smaller fish increasing their levels of mercury.
If you’d like to give your dog canned fish, stick with canned Alaskan salmon since it’s low on the scale of contamination.
