Singaporeans love their seafood. From chilli crab to cereal prawns, every Singapore household is a gourmet when it comes to finding the perfect seafood feast, and sometimes the best fried mantou to chilli crab sauce combination. However, it has always been a luxury to have fresh seafood when growing up because of its expensive price tag compared to the usual hawker fare. We usually had it only on special occasions. Never did we realise that we will be able to bring high quality seafood to our pets and allow them to enjoy the same delicacies we looked forward to.

Where are Mussels from?

Mussels have become popular in recent years here as availability of supplies began to grow through a bumper harvest in New Zealand’s fresh ocean waters. The Green-Lipped Mussel is the largest species of its kind, and it is exclusive to New Zealand’s waters.

Can Dogs & Cats Eat Mussels?

The answer is a resounding YES! The orange-green mollusc is not only safe, but extremely beneficial to your dogs & cats when prepared properly. Mussels are considered a superfood because it contains a wide variety of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. They are not only beneficial to pets but also for humans (hoomans).

Benefits of Mussels for Dogs.

The omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin commonly found in mussels are the source of many health benefits that these shellfish have to offer. The high concentration of fatty acids give them the pain-reducing properties, and the glucosamine and chondroitin found in these shellfish help to reduce inflammation. In addition, these nutrients have immunity-boosting properties, which help to reduce risk of allergic reactions and heart problems.

Your dog’s joints will not be the only part that is supported by consuming mussels. The same omega-3 fatty acids promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. This will help to keep your dog’s coat feeling soft while also reducing any irritations or itching that they may experience. Introducing omega-3 to Bagel’s diet helped him make a huge difference (less scratching & itching), especially when he was a puppy and spotting hot spots regularly.

Are there any Side Effects?

Mussels are a natural food source, therefore, there are hardly any side effects to feeding your dogs & cats. 

Serving Ideas for Mussels.

Fresh or Frozen

You can serve your pets mussels fresh or frozen. If you are not comfortable with feeding raw mussels to your pet, then you can steam the mussels prior to giving it to them. However, remember that heating the mussels causes them to lose more than 50% of its nutrients.

Dehydrated

There are three main methods of dehydration: Freeze-drying, Low Temperature Air-drying, and Food Dehydrator Dried (heat). We advocate the freeze-dried and low-temperature air-dried mussels as they retain more than 85% of the mussel’s original nutrient content, and also help to extend the shelf life of the mussels for more than 12 months. Food dehydrator processed mussels use a heat-based approach to dehydrating, and causes the mussels to lose more than 50% of its nutrients after dehydration.

Powder / Crumbs

Another common option is to add a bit of green-lipped mussel powder to your dog’s meals as a topper. The powder is just a broken-down form of the raw mussel, so it has similar health benefits. Also, with BELLY UP’s launch, we have released our low-temperature air-dried green-lipped mussels to bring its nutritious benefits to all pet parents in Singapore. The crumbs at the end of your bag of green-lipped mussels should never go to waste! Top off your pet’s meals with the mussel crumbs to give it an added boost of nutrients.

Try BELLY UP’s 100% Natural New Zealand Wild-Caught Green-Lipped Mussels today!

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xo
Nellie