Can cats eat shrimp? You may be asking this because you’ve been enjoying some shrimp at the dinner table and noticed that your cat shows an interest in getting in on the crustacean action. Humans can eat shrimp, so is shrimp also safe for cats to eat?
The short answer is yes, cats can safely eat shrimp as an occasional snack. In fact, shrimp is often used in commercial cat foods and can be a good source of protein for your cat.
As always, you must ask your vet before sharing any human foods with your cat, including shrimp. Here’s what you should know about feeding shrimp to cats.
How Is Shrimp Good For Cats?
Shrimp is considered to be a good source of protein. As cats require a diet that’s mostly protein, it follows that shrimp can become a safe and useful part of your feline friend’s diet.
In fact, shrimp also contains some other beneficial nutrients for cats, including vitamin B12, selenium, and iodine.
How Can I Safely Give Shrimp To My Cat?
First of all, you should stick to giving your cat only cooked shrimp. This is because raw, uncooked shrimp might contain bacteria that could upset your cat. The best and safest ways to cook shrimp for cats is to boil or steam it.
Make sure that you don’t add any extra seasonings or salt to the shrimp. Likewise, only serve shrimp on its own; never serve your cat shrimp that has been dressed in a sauce or has been breaded or fried.
It’s also important to make sure that you peel any shrimp that you are giving to your cat. This way, you avoid the shrimp shells turning into a potential choking hazard.
If you’re considering feeding shrimp to your cat in a safe fashion, it’s recommended that you stick to using shrimp as an occasional snack. This is because shrimp is a food that is considered high in cholesterol and sodium.
Also, as a feeding guide, half of a jumbo-sized shrimp is usually an appropriate amount for an average-sized feline.
Does your cat love to snack on some shrimp? How do you like to prepare shrimp for your cat? Let us know in the comments section below!
