There’s nothing as good as some hot, steamed shrimp! A delicacy amongst many cultures, shrimp is perhaps one of the most commonly consumed seafood in today’s world. Every so often we may be tempted to share this delicious seafood with our pup—but wait! Can dogs eat shrimp?

Can Dogs Eat Shrimp

So, can dogs eat shrimp? The answer is—Absolutely! but, in small amounts. Now, if you’ve just prepared a yummy meal with shrimp, then its perfectly safe to give your dog cooked shrimp.

However, it is never a good idea to feed any pet raw shrimp. Why? Well, just like raw meat, raw shrimp and shellfish contain harmful pathogens that can cause life-threatening diseases in your pooch.

Is Shrimp Safe for Dogs?

It’s important to remember that only cooked shrimp is safe for dogs to consume. Just like with raw fish, raw meat and raw shrimp can be incredibly dangerous towards dogs. This is because according to the FDA, shrimp are classified as a Shellfish. And so they fall under the mollusks group. As such the FDA states that raw shrimp tends to contain harmful bacteria such as:

  • Shigella spp
  • Vibro spp
  • Salmonella spp
  • Campylobacter jejuni

Additionally, raw shrimp can contain harmful viruses such as

  • Hepatitis A
  • Norovirus

Is Shrimp Healthy or Toxic? Breaking Down the Nutrients

Feeding your dog shrimp? and not sure what the health benefits of shrimp are? Well, like most seafood, shrimp can be packed with nutritious goodness.

Dogs Need Their Daily Minerals and Vitamins too!

Shrimp has often gotten a bad rep for not having “heart-healthy fats”, However, this is far from the truth! You see, shrimp actually increases the your “bad cholesterol”, but at the same time, it increases the levels of High-density lipoproteins in the blood. This is what combats heart disease!

Do you want your canine’s coat looking as glossy as ever? Well, shrimp contains fairly high levels of fatty acids which include:

  • Omega- 3 fatty acids
  • EPA, and
  • DHA
Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
  • Helps dogs achieve a shiny and healthy coat with omega-3 fatty acids
  • All-natural nutrients help to keep animal coats soft while supporting overall health
  • Rich in Omega 3 & Omega 6 Fatty Acids

So apart from your heart healthy fats and fatty acids. You may be wondering, “Hmm how else can shrimp be beneficial to dogs?” Well, here I’ve listed some of the most commonly found vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in shrimp!

What Vegetables/Fruits can Dogs Eat?

Is your four-legged friend a vegetarian? Fruits and veggies can be extremely beneficial to pets of all ages. Make sure your pup tries:

Feeding Your Dog Shrimp: Possible Side Effects!

While Shrimp is fairly safe for dogs, it is still one food that should be avoided. This is because dogs who eat shrimp in large quantities may experience:

Additionally, in regards to human beings—approximately 60% of the human population may experience shellfish allergy. Veterinarians theorize that dogs can also be a victim of food allergies caused by shrimp. So, it’s better to stay clear from feeding your furry friend shrimp.

Now maybe your furry friend got a hold of shrimp shells, shrimp tails, or raw shrimp. As a concerned pet parent, you might be wondering: Can dogs get shellfish toxicity? Is raw shrimp toxic to dogs? Oh no, what do I do?

Dogs—just like humans, can get a shellfish toxicity known as Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. As of 2018, there have been reports of dogs dying from consuming species of marine life classed as shellfish. However, many of these dog’s fall victim to raw shellfish found on beaches.
So, if your dog has consumed raw shrimp or shrimp shells.

The best thing to do is call your veterinarian and monitor your dog. Shrimp shells may be considered a choking hazard. Generally, if your dog has consumed a very small amount of raw shrimp, then chances are they’ll simply get an upset stomach.

Eat All The Things: Food Dog Can Eat

Dogs have quite a strong digestive tract! For the most part, they can eat an array of fresh vegetables and fruits. They can also eat human foods like:

  • Lentils
  • Oats
  • Rice, and occasionally
  • Cottage cheese

Make Treats for dogs: The Ultimate No-Shrimp Recipe Your Pet Will Love

To come back to our main question—Can dogs eat shrimp? Yes, but it’s not recommended. We now know that shrimp is okay for dogs to consume, but its generally not recommended for them. However, here’s another fishy-flavored dog treat you can make for your four-legged friend!

Fish Free Fish Flavoured Dog Treats!

Now, this is one of my favorite recipes for those dogs who’ve got a taste for seafood! All you’ll need is:

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of doggie-approved kelp (the fishy flavor)
  • 1 cup of Oats
  • 1 Banana
  • Meat (I actually use meat straight out of a can of quality dog food)
  • Salmon oil or pet approved fish oil

Combine all increased and add a little water to keep the consistency thick. You can choose to bake or freeze these treat! Now, isn’t this just pupalicious!

Dog Won’t Eat Your Meal?  Tips to Help Them Out

  1. Transition them slowly to a new meal
  2. If your canine friend is being really fussy, then experiment with different dog foods and flavors! For example, give them chicken one day, salmon the next!
  3. Choose quality dog food! Try to avoid the store-based pet foods such as Purina, Beneful, and Pedigree. Instead, choose something more nutritious and palatable.

Comparing Apples and Oranges: What Can Cats Eat as Well as Dogs?

Since we’ve been talking about—can dogs eat shrimp? We’ve gotta include cats into our conversation as well! Your cat and dog can share the occasional fishy treat (freeze dried salmon and tuna). Like dogs, cats can also eat:

  • pet grass (wheat grass)
  • Chicken breast
  • Offal
  • Rabbit meat

Just Food for Dogs: 3 Foods Your Dog Can Eat But Not Your Cat

As cats are obligate carnivores, it’s important to make sure their diet is well-balanced and rich in protein. Unlike dogs, cats cannot eat:

  • Too many vegetables ( a cat should never be made vegan or vegetarian)
  • Raw or cooked eggs
  • Dog food

What do Dogs Eat? 2Ways to Feed Your Dog Shrimp

So can dogs eat shrimp that’s raw or can dogs eat shrimp that’s cooked?

Raw

Raw food, raw shrimp, and in general raw meat is never a something you should feed your dog. This is because feeding a pet raw meat in large quantities can put them at risk of developing:

  • pathogen/food-borne diseases
  • Upset stomach
  • Metabolic disorders

Cooked

To finally answer, can dogs eat shrimp that’s cooked? Yes, they can—but only in small quantities or as a treat once in awhile.

So, Is Shrimp Good for Dogs? Can Dogs have Shrimp?

Can dogs eat shrimp? It’s definitely one of those yes or a no answers. While cooked shrimp is generally quite safe for dogs, it is important to remember that shrimp should never make up a huge part of their diet.