Can Cats Eat Shrimp? Benefits & Right Amount For Cats

In fact, shrimps contain choline, protein, Omega -3 fatty acid, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and calcium. Moreover, shrimps contain a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants.

They also consist of anti-inflammatory properties. In other words, shrimps are made up of vitamin B12, B3, B6, and E.

Omega 3 oil present in shrimp facilitates smooth blood flow and circulation. Also, older cats require omega 3 acids for health reasons. Not to mention, fish oil presents merits for the brain and heart health.

Eating shrimps are known to prevent colon cancer.  Since they contain very less protein, shrimps reduce the chance of obesity in cats.

As a matter of fact, shrimp is amazing seafood. Cat normally love those crunchy snacks. However, while feeding raw uncooked shrimp, you should avoid dipping the shrimp in any sauce for that matter.

The smell of raw shrimps entices your cat like nothing else. Since cats are carnivorous, the fishy flavor and raw fresh and moist smell will tempt them with the feeling of real hunters.

Moreover,  they love the delicacy of raw shrimp. Overall, to be on the safer side, you may serve your cat raw shrimp or cooked ones without any seasoning occasionally.

You need to clean the shrimp thoroughly before even thinking of feeding your feline friend. You better remove the digestive section of the shrimp.

Never feed them with large quantities of seafood all at once. Always you must cook frozen shrimps before giving them to your cat.

Yes, they do love shrimp tails and legs. But, before feeding them, thoroughly clean the shrimp and you must remove the shrimp’s digestive system.

Do not feed your cat with raw shrimp on a daily basis. In fact, raw shrimps are some of the best treats loved by any healthy cat. Feed them after cleaning the shrimp thoroughly from head to toe.

In order to handle the crispy nature of the shrimp shells, you should soak them in a brine solution before freezing the same.  Since some shrimp shells may be high in sodium content.

Cats adore shrimp chips and dried shrimp. But, you should avoid using too much salt while preparing shrimp chips. The reason? Too much salt content can cause sodium poisoning or extreme thirst.

Cats need a well-balanced diet for overall growth and development. So, it’s best advised to limit the intake to not more than twice a week. Also, if you are feeding your cat with shrimp for the first time, please watch your cat for any side effects.

All in all, you should take your cat to the nearest vet if you suspect anything serious.

The right amount of shrimp to feed your cat

A cat around 12 to 15 lbs has the capacity to digest a big shrimp but a medium-sized breed can manage with a single regular shrimp. The most effective method to clean the shrimp is to butterfly it or rip it completely.

The Bottomline

To sum up, shrimp should remain as an occasional protein-rich treat. Usually, we suggest serving fresh, wild-caught shrimp or plain-cooked shrimp. Most importantly, never forget to clean the shrimp before feeding your cat.