Can Dogs Eat Calamari? A Great Source of Omega-3 for dogs

Yes, dogs can eat calamari (aka squid!). This seafood is generally safe and not toxic for dogs, and it’s also an amazing source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for healthy joints and cognitive functions. Unlike some other seafood, calamari doesn’t have high levels of mercury, making it a safer choice.

The most important thing, though, is how you prepare it. At my house, we absolutely love grilled calamari with garlic and a squeeze of lemon—so delicious! But when I give it to my dog, I always make sure to set some aside before adding any dressing or seasonings, as those aren’t safe for dogs.

It’s not like I can spend every day in the Mediterranean soaking in the sun and enjoying fresh calamari! I really don’t have access to a lot of fresh seafood, but depending on where you live, if you can buy and make fresh grilled squid, then I envy you!

Jokes aside, what we mostly shop for in supermarkets is frozen, battered calamari that we destroy by deep frying and adding lots of salt. Don’t get me wrong, I sometimes love to indulge, but that’s not the type of food I share with my dog. Deep-fried, battered calamari is definitely not dog food, so if you only eat that, you can share a piece or two with your dog, but don’t give them table scraps or leftovers!

Calamari (squid) as a source of Omega-3 for dogs

Fish and seafood, in general, are considered super healthy food, and they are full of health benefits for dogs.

They are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which will make their coat and skin healthy, reduce inflammation, and support heart health.

We already wrote about how oysters are good for dogs because they are rich in zinc and other essential nutrients. We also mentioned that we love sharing scallops with our dog, even though they are crazy expensive here.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for dogs. While dogs do need more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3 is still an important part of their nutrition.

Omega-3 supports brain functions, brain health, and cognitive abilities. This is important for aging dogs as they definitely need more omega-3 in their diet! That’s why calamari can be a good addition.

Next, omega-3 is important for healthy joints (which your senior dog may need help with) and then healthy muscles.

It also plays a part in keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy, shiny, and gorgeous.

Calamari is a good source of omega-3 compared to other proteins, which is why you can absolutely include it in your dog’s diet.

Now, remember, how you prepare calamari matters. While we may enjoy it grilled with garlic, butter, or a splash of lemon juice, these seasonings can be harmful to dogs.

If you’re sharing calamari with your dog, keep it plain—lightly grilled without any added spices, oils, or dressings. That way, your dog gets all the benefits without any risks!

Types of calamari: What’s good for dogs and what’s not?

Since our dogs shouldn’t eat too much salt and many dressings can hurt their stomach, I really recommend giving them plain cooked or grilled calamari!

Set aside a small piece just for them and cook it without any seasonings.

Now, if you share your calamari, you need to know that some types are better than others, and a few should be avoided completely. Here’s what you need to know:

• Cooked calamari (plain): This is the safest and healthiest way to share calamari with your dog. Boiled, steamed, or grilled calamari without any seasoning is easy to digest and has all nutritional benefits. This is the best way to give your dog that omega-3!
• Grilled calamari: Plain grilled calamari is another amazing option for dogs.
• Dried calamari: Dried or smoked calamari is full of salt, so you should avoid it. A small piece won’t hurt, but it’s best to avoid this type.
• Fried calamari: Deep-fried and battered calamari is unhealthy for dogs. The grease and batter are too fatty and can lead to digestive upset, weight gain, or more serious health issues over time. It’s best to avoid this entirely.

What’s good:

• Plain, cooked calamari (boiled, steamed, or grilled).
• Lightly grilled calamari with no seasoning or additives.

What to avoid:

• Anything seasoned with garlic, onions, butter, or lemon.
• Dried or smoked calamari due to high salt content.
• Fried calamari with batter and grease.

Can dogs eat raw calamari?

You really shouldn’t give raw calamari to your dog. At least not all the time! In Japan, raw squid is very popular for sashimi or sushi toppings, and many people give their dogs raw squid. But you should really avoid this!

Thiamine is essential for your dog’s health. A study about insufficient dietary thiamine in pet food has highlighted the importance of adequate thiamine intake in dogs and cats. Dogs and cats cannot synthesize thiamine and, therefore, need it as part of their diet.

What does thiamine do for dogs?

Prolonged deficiency in thiamine can cause serious health issues in dogs, affecting multiple organ systems and potentially being fatal if not treated.

If your dog has eaten raw squid, I don’t think you should panic, but it’s important to avoid feeding it to them in the future as it can interfere with their thiamine levels. This is what we’re doing here: learning stuff so we can make better choices for our dogs.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Is calamari toxic for dogs?

No, calamari is not toxic for dogs. It’s a healthy treat that some dogs adore. Feel free to share grilled or cooked calamari. However, avoid giving them fried, battered, or heavily seasoned calamari to prevent any health issues.

Can dogs eat raw seafood?

It’s generally not recommended to feed dogs raw seafood. If you buy it from a trustworthy shop, then you probably don’t need to worry about bacteria and parasites. But it all comes down to how you store it, and is it really worth the risk. Specifically, raw squid has thiaminase, an enzyme that can cause a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, leading to serious health problems. It’s much better to cook seafood before you give it to your dog.