Your dog will happily eat anything you put in front of them.
So even though they are asking you for a mouthful of your favorite treats, you will need to know whether they are safe to give to your dog before you indulge those puppy eyes.
Oysters are considered to be an excellent source of protein, and not to mention the fact that they are a tasty treat in general.
But can your dog eat the smoked oysters that you enjoy? What types of oysters are safe for your dog to eat?
Today, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about giving oysters to your dog.
Whether you opt for raw oysters, cooked oysters, or canned oysters, we’re going to tell you which ones are and aren’t safe to give to your dog.
We’re also going to cover things such as quantity so that you don’t give your dog too much of a good thing.
So let’s take a look at whether dogs can eat smoked oysters and whether this is safe!
Are Smoked Oysters Good For Dogs?
All types of fish are exceptional sources of omega 3 fatty acids. This is a great way to help your pooch maintain a healthy coat and skin.
However, can your dog eat canned oysters?
The short answer is that yes, it is safe to give your dog canned smoked oysters, however, there are a few caveats to this.
The smoked oysters will only be safe for your dog in small quantities. This should be given to your dog as an occasional treat, rather than their main meal for the day.
A quick snack sometimes won’t have any harmful effects on your pet.
There are many benefits of oysters for your dog. These are rich in protein, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, selenium, and iron.
However, you will need to make sure that you only select certain oysters for your dog.
This is because if you feed your hound the wrong type of oysters, this could actually make them very ill.
Which Oysters Are Safe For Dogs?
So, we now know that it is safe to give your dog smoked oysters in small quantities. But what oysters are actually safe to give your dog?
You should always avoid giving your dog raw oysters, as the raw fish can carry certain toxins that will be harmful for your pet.
Instead, you will be better off saving the fresh oysters for yourself. Fresh oysters aren’t intended for your dog to consume.
It will also be crucial to avoid any oysters that have been packed with spices and other flavorings.
These can be very harmful for your dog, as their sensitive stomachs won’t be able to cope with any spice or seasonings.
If your smoked treat of choice only features oysters in oil, then these should be safe for your dog.
Make sure to drain the oil before you give your dog one or two smoked oysters.
If your preferred oysters come with additional stuffings, you will need to take a look at what the canned oyster stuffing contains.
If there are any onions, garlic, or chili peppers included, you can’t give this to your dog.
How Many Oysters Can A Dog Have?
Remember that smoked oysters should only be given to your dog as an occasional treat. So this will mean only giving them a bit of oysters at any one time.
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet, and these should supplement the usual food for dogs that you give to your pet.
They will get the vast majority of the protein sources, daily zinc, and other vitamins and minerals from their usual diet.
So How Many Oysters Should Your Dog Have?
If you have never given your dog smoked oysters before, you will need to start off small. Only give your pet 1 or 2 oysters to start with, and see how they react to these.
As long as these don’t irritate your dog’s digestive system or cause an allergic reaction, you can rest assured that they will be safe to give your dog as a treat.
Even if you find that your dog is safe with oysters, it will be crucial to only give them canned oysters as an occasional treat.
Anything more than this and you could cause your dog some serious digestive discomfort.
If your dog eats too many canned oysters or the wrong type of oyster, such as raw fish, then this will make your dog very ill.
If in doubt, you should always consult with your vet before altering your dog’s diet too much.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Oysters?
If you feed your dog cooked oysters or canned oysters, then there shouldn’t be an adverse health reaction. Remember that you will need to feed your dog the right type of oysters.
If you make sure that you cook your raw oysters before you give them to your dog, this will minimize the likelihood of foodborne illness.
Once you have given your dog a small amount of oysters to start, you will need to monitor them to see if they have a bad reaction.
If you stick to the smoked oysters, cooked oysters, or canned oysters, you shouldn’t notice much difference at all.
If your dog does suffer from a bad reaction to the oysters, this will typically display itself with vomiting, an upset stomach, diarrhea, and other types of discomfort.
In the event that your dog eats the wrong type of oyster, or even gets their jaws on any oyster shell which could cause a blockage in their stomach or intestine, you will need to contact your vet right away.
If in doubt, you should avoid feeding your dog oysters as a treat, and instead opt for something you already know your dog loves and is safe for them to eat.
How Do You Cook Oysters For Dogs?
As we’ve mentioned in more detail above, if you feed your dog raw oysters, there is more likelihood of transmitting foodborne illness to your beloved pet.
So you will be better off cooking the oysters before you give them to your dog just to give you more peace of mind.
It couldn’t be simpler to prepare your oysters for your dog.
All you will need to do is bake, lightly sauté, boil, or use a dehydrator to prepare your raw oysters so that they can be safe for your dog to eat.
Remember to avoid any butter, onion, garlic, and seasonings when you cook your oysters.
This is because they are highly harmful for your dog, and could even poison them if you give it to them in large enough quantities.
Your dog won’t need to have their oysters prepared in the same way that we enjoy them, so just give them to your pet plain.
In Summary
So there you have it! You now know everything there is to know about giving your dog oysters.
Your dog can eat smoked oysters, however, these should only be given to your pet in small amounts.
You should also only ever give your dog cooked oysters, as this will prevent them from becoming ill. Raw oysters should be avoided at all costs.
You should also avoid any canned oysters that have been prepared with lots of seasonings, garlic, onions, and spices, as these will be harmful for your dog.
As long as you stick to giving smoked oysters to your dog as an occasional treat, there’s nothing to say you can’t do this.
But remember that if you are in any doubt, you can always consult with your vet before you give smoked oysters to your dog.
