Shrimp is a great treat for people, but did you know your pup can enjoy a piece too? Learn about the benefits of adding shrimp to your dog’s diet.
Many people love seafood, but what about pets? Dogs have eaten seafood throughout history (Trusted Source) , so, when your pup is begging in the kitchen for some shrimp you might be cooking, giving them one or two is okay — as long as you do it the right way. Shrimp in small amounts can be a healthy human food for dogs because they are low in carbohydrates, calories, and fat. Owners with dogs on a diet might find shrimp to be tasty, healthy treats and alternatives to store-bought pet treats. But, shrimp should only be an occasional treat, even for larger dogs. Shrimp are high in cholesterol, so pups really can have too much of a good thing.
The simple answer is yes, dogs can eat shrimp. Shrimp is not a harmful food for dogs, doesn’t contain the things that can worsen health issues in already chunky pups, and it does have some good potential health benefits for dogs.
Shrimp contain certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that dogs need to live their best lives. While dog vitamins and supplements can provide these, a shrimp every once and a while can give pups an extra boost when they need a break from their regular treat.
While there are numerous benefits to letting your dog have shrimp, there are some drawbacks and potential health problems to watch out for.
The good news is that most dogs have little problem with dietary cholesterol unless they are predisposed to triglyceride and cholesterol metabolic problems or hypothyroidism, Canine Cushing's problems, obesity, pregnancy, certain kidney ailments (nephrotic syndrome), or pancreatitis. Certain breeds, such as miniature schnauzers and beagles, are predisposed.
Dr. Bruce Armstrong
If you’d like to give your dog a special treat, it’s important to prepare it properly. Here are the steps to preparing shrimp for your dog so that it’s both a delicious and safe treat.
Cleaning and deveining shrimp before eating them is a must for people, and the same applies to your pets. Here’s Dani with Clean & Delicious on how to clean and devein shrimp.
While it may be tempting to skip this step, remember that shrimp tails and shrimp shells can become lodged in your dog’s throat, making a tasty treat dangerous. If you aren’t able to keep and devein shrimp, buy them pre-prepared instead.
It may be tempting to accidentally let a shrimp hit the floor at dinnertime. After all, if dogs can eat shrimp, why shouldn’t they occasionally indulge in some fried shrimp? The difference is in preparation. Whether shrimp is fried, sauteed, or prepared in some other way, seasoning is often used to enhance the flavor. More than likely, that seasoning isn’t great for your dog, and may even contain harmful ingredients like garlic or onions.
👉 Dogs should never eat raw shellfish, so proper prep and cooking is essential. Boil shrimp until it turns from gray and translucent to white and pink. If your dog experiences paralytic shellfish poisoning, visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.
As with any new foods you introduce to your pets, trying to decide how much shrimp you can give your dog can be tough. A healthy amount will depend on a few factors, including size, energy levels, and breed.
When shopping for shrimp, keep in mind that small, medium, and large won’t necessarily be on the bag. Instead, the number of shrimp per pound measures shrimp. So, medium-sized shrimp may have a 41/50 on the bag, while small shrimp may have a 61/70. The smaller the numbers, the bigger the shrimp.
Also, remember that shrimp should be an occasional healthy snack, not a substitute for pet food or a way to meet your dog’s daily caloric intake. Before giving your dog shrimp, speak to your vet about your pet’s diet and any health conditions they may have.
Not interested in offering your dog shrimp? Some other seafood options are available as occasional treats for your dog, including shellfish and scallops. These other tasty treats offer some of the same benefits as shrimp and provide a flavor that most dogs really enjoy. But it’s important to remember that these are infrequent treats.
Dog owners can also incorporate other dog-safe human foods like certain fruits or vegetables. There are also an array of tasty dog food toppers on the market to help entice their appetites.
Many pet-friendly households have cats and often, what you give the dog, you must also give the cat. But fear not as the answer is yes, cats can have shrimp! It’s perfectly safe to let your cat help the dog enjoy these treats, but it’s best to first cut them into small pieces.
Like other seafood options, dogs can have shellfish but only in small amounts. It’s important to ensure that you feed them food-grade shellfish and that it’s thoroughly cooked to prevent shellfish poisoning or any other foodborne illness.
When a dog eats shrimp that’s undercooked, this leads to shellfish poisoning and symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. It’s essential to cook shrimp thoroughly before feeding it to your dog. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms and you suspect shellfish poisoning, visit your vet ASAP.
Like shrimp, scallops contain many of the same vitamins and minerals beneficial to dogs. It’s vital to thoroughly cook scallops to ensure that any harmful bacteria has been killed off and that you don’t season it with things like butter, salt, or other popular choices.
