Can dogs eat shrimp?
Thankfully, yes!
Dogs can eat shrimp.
But just how much of it they are to be given is a different question altogether.
In our research, we’ve found that overall, shrimp is a safe diet for dogs. And you might be wondering, well… if something makes my pup happy, why not give it to him?
Here’s why.
Is Shrimp Good for Dogs?
In small amounts, yes. Dogs can eat shrimp as a treat every now and then and it will provide them with a lot of nutrition in the form of minerals and vitamins like selenium, vitamin B12, phosphorous, etc.
More than a few servings though and your dog might run the risk of having a diet that is higher in fats than it needs to be.
The key point to note here is that most dogs are sensitive when it comes to high-fat diets. So, while dogs can eat shrimp, giving them a high amount of it might push them to have pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp: Is Shrimp Toxic for dogs?
If you’ve read this far, you know that the answer to that is no. Well then, why are we talking about this?
Simply put, while most dogs can eat shrimp, some might still be allergic to it.
In this case, it is always important to know that a dog can be allergic to anything.
To avoid putting your dog’s life in danger, we’d suggest offering it a little bit of shrimp once and waiting to see if well- anything bad happens.
If the dog continues to remain unreservedly happy afterward then all is clear. And congratulations!
You just removed your doubts on whether dogs can eat shrimp or not.
If not, however, we’d suggest an immediate visit to the vet.
Is Shrimp Unhealthy for dogs?
Dogs can eat shrimp, and they might not be allergic to it. But it’s important to know that seafood is a tricky thing.
The process of storing and freezing the shrimp for long periods of time means that it needs to be treated.
In doing so, some harmful chemicals might still be present in the shrimp. Therefore, it is important to always get good quality foods when it comes to your pets even if it means spending just a little extra.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp In Its Raw Form?
Physically, yes. Dogs can eat shrimp if it’s raw, but they really shouldn’t. This is because raw shrimp can be very dangerous for dogs.
In general, raw food or food which has only been half cooked tends to contain bacteria and other pathogens which can negatively impact your dog’s health.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp If It’s Cooked?
Yes. In fact, this is how shrimp should be fed to dogs.
To make things easier for you, we’ve linked a few recipes down below and even added step-by-step instructions on how you can cook and serve shrimp to your dog.
With that said, cooking techniques should not involve frying or adding any seasoning like garlic, onions, etc., since some of these can be poisonous for dogs.
What about Steamed Shrimp?
This is the best way to prepare a delicious shrimp-based diet for your dog.
Steaming will heat the shrimp enough to raise its temperature to a point where the bacteria die because of protein denaturation.
At the same time, using this technique means that no other harmful ingredients need to be added to the mix before feeding it to your pet.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp Tails and Shells?
The rough exterior is a big no. While dogs can eat shrimp if it’s cooked, the tails and shells still tend to be an undesirable part of the diet.
Firstly, because your dog just won’t like it.
Think about it, they’d have to pick through all the hard, crusty stuff just to get to a little bit of the moist, meaty bit.
More importantly, however, dogs should not be given shrimp tails/ eggs because these pose a genuine health risk. Especially for small dogs or puppies, the coarse stuff can get lodged in their throats and lead to choking.
How Much Shrimp Should Dogs Eat?
Unlike seafood like salmon, shrimp should not be served as a whole meal. Instead, the best way to offer it to your dogs is in the form of cute little treats of one to two shrimp at a time.
Why?
Well, simply put, as mentioned earlier, shrimp can be fattening.
And while some pet owners might want a doggo who is cute and bulky, the truth is, it is never a good idea to make your pets gain extra weight. Doing so will only make them lethargic and lead to various health problems down the road.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp: Best Recipes
Ingredients:
- Cooked, ground shrimp- 1lb;
- Sweet Mashed Potato- 1;
- Plain Organic Yoghurt- 1/2 cup;
- Thyme- 1/4 tsp;
- Capsuled Turmeric- 1/4 tsp;
- Canned tuna- 12 ounces.
Recipe:
- Simply add in the ground shrimp and other ingredients.
- Mix well and serve!
Video Recipe:
For more information on the best dog foods, you might want to read further!
Can Dogs Eat Corn? Is Corn Safe For Dogs Stomachs?
Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers? Can Dogs Have Cucumbers?
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp: Some fun facts about Shrimp!
- Shrimp are all born male, then mature into females;
- Overall, shrimp only has seven calories;
- All in all, there are more than 2000 species of shrimp in the world!
FAQs
Can dogs eat shrimp if it’s fried?
They can. But the extra oil only leads to fattening and should be avoided.
Can dogs eat shrimp daily?
No. Giving dogs shrimp regularly is not advisable.
Can dogs eat shrimp with seasoning or without?
Some types of seasoning can be poisonous for dogs. Ideally, therefore, the meal should be simply steamed and not contain anything extra.
