Blue-lipped mussels, known more officially as Mytilus edulis, are a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA. These healthy fats are important for helping dogs maintain a normal inflammatory response, good skin health, and overall well-being.
They’re harvested through sustainable rope farming, which is one of the more environmentally friendly aquaculture methods out there today. Mussels like these don’t need extra feed, fertilizers, or chemicals to grow. They just naturally filter the water and help the oceans stay a little bit cleaner while they’re at it.
For pet parents looking for a natural source of hip and joint support without a lot of extra processing, blue-lipped mussels could be a pretty great option to look into. In this article, we’re going to break down the key components, benefits, risks, dosages, and the kinds of results you might be able to expect when using blue-lipped mussels as a part of your dog’s health routine.
The Benefits of Blue Lipped Mussels for Dogs
The most talked-about benefit of blue-lipped mussels has got to be the omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA are essential parts of a healthy diet, and they’ve been studied for helping to regulate inflammation, support healthy skin and coat, and even promote better heart health over time. All of that just from a little shellfish.
They’re also packed with amino acids, and not just a few either — we’re talking about a full set of essential amino acids that dogs need but can’t make on their own. These amino acids play a big role in everything from muscle maintenance to tissue repair, making mussels a strong source of clean, bioavailable protein for dogs of all sizes.
Another thing that makes mussels interesting is what happens after the proteins get broken down. When digested, mussel proteins can create bioactive peptides — basically, small pieces of proteins that are easier for the body to absorb. Some of these peptides have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even heart-protective properties, like helping to protect the cells that line blood vessels from damage. Pretty neat for something that comes from the sea.
And it’s not just the proteins. Blue-lipped mussels bring a lot to the table when it comes to vitamins and minerals, too. They’re naturally rich in things like zinc, selenium, manganese, iron, and vitamin B12 — all nutrients that help with immune function, red blood cell production, joint support, and general vitality in dogs. It’s a real nutritional powerhouse packed into a small shell.
Summary of Blue Lipped Mussels' Benefits for Dogs
As you can probably see by now, the benefits of blue-lipped mussels are pretty wide-ranging, especially when they’re sourced responsibly and given in the right amount to fit your dog’s needs.
Here are the clearly listed potential benefits of blue-lipped mussels for dogs:
- Hip and Joint Support: Omega-3 fatty acids can help promote a normal inflammatory response that keeps joints feeling better for longer.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Essential nutrients like zinc, selenium, and iron help support immune health, skin, and energy levels.
- Amino Acids: Mussels are loaded with complete proteins that help maintain muscle mass and support healthy tissue growth and repair.
- Bioactive Peptides: When mussel proteins break down, they can release peptides that may offer antioxidant and heart-protective benefits.
- Digestibility and Absorption: Mussel protein is highly bioavailable, meaning your dog can actually absorb and use the nutrition it provides without a lot of waste.
Altogether, blue-lipped mussels offer a natural, nutrient-dense supplement choice that could help support different areas of your dog’s health when used the right way and sourced from clean waters.
How Long Does it Take Dogs to See Benefits from Blue Lipped Mussel?
Blue-lipped mussel is a relatively new and under-studied dietary addition for dogs, so there isn't a great deal of evidence to claim how long it should take for an average dog to see benefits.
On average, though, supplements with similar ingredients take about 4-8 weeks to produce significant results when used regularly, at the appropriate dosages. Blue-lipped mussel is best used as a long-term healthy addition to your dog's routine to safeguard them from developing or worsening certain issues.
The presence of omega-3s and the other beneficial compounds in blue-lipped mussels are generally helpful for dogs to have in regular doses. Many dog foods, while complete and balanced, aren't able to fully support your canine companions health in the long term, and that's where the smart use of supplements comes in.
You may see wonderful short term benefits from blue-lipped mussel, but many dogs will experience those benefits in the long term with regular use.
The Risks of Blue Lipped Mussels for Some Dogs
Even though blue-lipped mussels are generally safe and beneficial to the majority of dogs, there are some dogs that it may not be safe for. Additionally, there are ways to give your dog blue-lipped mussel that are unsafe and should be avoided.
Let's explore the potential risks of blue-lipped mussels for dogs, and practices that you should avoid if you plan to give your dog BLMs:
- Shellfish Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to shellfish such as blue-lipped mussels. It's a lesser-known allergy because it's not very common to expose dogs to shellfish. Still, monitor your dog's reaction after giving them their first dosage of blue-lipped mussel supplements or BLM in its natural form. Watch for itching, digestive upset, or hives.
- Dogs with Some Conditions: Dogs with heart disease and kidney disease should avoid blue-lipped mussels due to its moderate salt content. Additionally, dogs prone to bladder stones (Dalmatians, English Bulldogs, and Miniature Schnauzers, for example) should avoid blue lipped mussels to due its purines, which can break down into uric acid.
- Poorly-Sourced Products: Mussels are filterers of the waters they're raised and farmed in. That means that blue-lipped mussels for your dog should be sourced from regulated, clean water sources otherwise they could contain heavy metals like lead or mercury. Always check with your manufacturer and, if possible, view certificates of analysis for the products you purchase for your dog.
- Choking Hazard (If Fed with Shell): Feeding your dog raw blue-lipped mussel can be dangerous, but feeding it too them with the shell is absolutely a choking hazard. Additionally allowing your dog to eat the shell could cause internal bleeding, extremely difficult digestive pains, and more. Never give your dog any mussel with the shell intact.
- Overfeeding: Due it its moderate salt content, feeding dogs blue-lipped mussels raw, or feeding them too many blue-lipped mussels, can be dangerous. This is especially true over time if you make it a regular practice. The same is true for any other contaminants that could be in the mussel if it's sourced from a poor manufacturer.
While blue-lipped mussel can be a great way to support your dog's overall mobility and wellness, there are some risks for certain dogs, and it's important to find and use green-lipped mussel properly for your dog's safety.
What Happens if Your Dog Eats Too Much Blue-Lipped Mussel?
While there's no toxicity in the flesh of blue-lipped mussels, the risk of overeating or eating excessive amounts of it lie in the presence of salt and purines.
Say, for example, that your dog ate a whole bag of blue-lipped mussel supplements and consumed a total of 15,000mg.
Small Dogs: Will likely have some digestive upset, and may be fatigued or lethargic for a while afterward. It's unlikely that any serious side effects will occur, but watch out for anything more than vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Contact your vet if those signs get worse or lead to more symptoms.
Medium-Large Dogs: Will likely have the same symptoms as small dogs, just a little lighter.
The key risk is for dogs vulnerable to salt or fat, as eating that amount of blue-lipped mussel would mean consuming a high amount of salt and fat: much more than is healthy, potentially leading to more severe symptoms.
Contact your vet if your dog vomits repeatedly, bloats, shows signs of pain, is weak, is confused, has tremors, or has any pre-existing heart or kidney conditions.
How Much Blue Lipped Mussel Should I Give My Dog? (Raw vs. Supplement)
There's a distinct difference between raw and supplemented blue-lipped mussel. Raw mussels are rich in all of the beneficial compounds, just at a lower concentration per gram.
If you have a trusted and reliable source of blue-lipped mussels for your dog, make sure to remove the shells entirely and wash them before feeding them to your pup. Additionally, feed the mussels to your dog in their raw form without any additional ingredients or seasonings, as these could be harmful to your dog.
As a General Rule for Feeding Raw Blue Lipped Mussels to Dogs:
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Small Dogs (Under 25 Lbs): feed 1/2 to 1 mussel per day.
- Medium Dogs (25-60 Lbs): feed 1-2 mussels per day.
- Large Dogs (Over 60 Lbs): feed 2-3 mussels per day.
At these rates, blue-lipped mussels can be a reliable proten and omega source for your pet, and you won't be giving them too much salt or purines according to their size.
Blue Lipped Mussel Supplement Dosage for Dogs
Blue-lipped mussel supplements are typically freeze-dried powders, often put into capsules. They could also come in the form of soft chews, treats, or other edibles. You can also find blue-lipped mussels mixed in with other ingredients intended to benefit canine health.
Supplement powders are much more condensed, and therefor stronger per gram.
Here's a General Dosage Rule When Giving Your Dog Blue Lipped Mussel Supplements:
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Small Dogs (Under 25 Lbs): 250-500mg per day
- Medium Dogs (25-60 Lbs): 500-1,200mg per day
- Large Dogs (60+ Lbs) 1,200 and beyond (see rule)
Rule for BLM mgs for dogs: 10-20mg of blue-lipped mussel per pound of dog's body weight.
Conclusion
The blue-lipped mussel is a shellfish ripe with omega-3s and other compounds that are beneficial to dogs. While benefits to hip & joint health and overall wellness could come to dogs after 4-8 weeks of regular use, the real benefits show over longer periods as a form of lasting support.
There are some additional considerations that make blue-lipped mussel risky for some dogs. Dogs with heart disease, kidney disease, or urine stones should especially avoid blue-lipped mussel. Overall, though, blue-lipped mussel supplements can be a great option for pet parents looking to support their dogs' mobility, overall health, and wellness.
