Cats will rub up against your legs and try to get a lick of whatever you are eating if they can smell any animal proteins. They can smell a lot of them. Many parents want to know what foods they can and cannot give their cats. Some cats will go crazy for crab, but that’s not for everyone. It’s natural not to want to feed your cat something that will make them sick.
It is perfectly okay for your cat to eat some crab in moderation, but only when adequately prepared. Here’s the down-low on feeding crab to your cat as an occasional treat. But you should talk to your vet before giving your cat any new food, especially if they are on a special diet or long-term medication.
Cats have to eat carnivores, which are sometimes called “hypercarnivores” because they eat a lot of animal proteins. Animals that eat meat are called obligatate carnivores, and their appendix, colon, and rectum have the highest microbial density. On the other hand, ruminants, which eat plants, are foregut fermenters, and their rumen (one of their stomachs) is where most of their fermentation and digestion happen, thanks to the diverse bacterial population there. 1.
Carnivores don’t have the same bacteria in their guts as herbivores, and their bodies can’t naturally break down plant matter. So, they don’t get the complete nutrients from plant and vegetation matter. At the same time, most vegetation is not necessarily toxic to them. They only don’t derive the whole nutrients from the things they eat unless it’s animal matter.
Because of this dietary need, cats have an innate sense of smell tuned to animal protein.
Cats need a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet with moderate amounts of fat to thrive. Animal proteins are important to their health, so they need to eat a lot of them. Carbohydrates will make them eat less protein because they are full.
As cat owners, we love to spoil our feline friends with treats and human foods from time to time. If you’ve recently prepared some crab and notice your curious kitty eyeing your plate, you may wonder: can cats eat cooked crab? Is it safe for cats? This article provides a detailed overview of feeding cooked crab to cats, including the benefits and potential risks.
Crab refers to various edible crab species like blue crab, Dungeness crab and king crab. With its delicate, sweet flavor, crab is a tasty seafood treat that many cat owners want to share with their pets.
So what do we need to know about crab for cats? Here’s a quick rundown:
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Crab provides protein and nutrients. Cooked crab contains protein vitamins and minerals that can benefit cats in small amounts. This includes B vitamins, selenium, and zinc.
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Only feed cats cooked crab. Raw crab may contain bacteria viruses parasites, and toxins harmful to cats. Crab must be thoroughly cooked before feeding.
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Remove all shell pieces. Crab shells pose a major choking risk and can damage cats’ mouths, throat, and digestive tract. Never feed the shell.
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Avoid seasonings and spices. Onions, garlic, and other seasonings in crab can be toxic for cats. Only feed plain cooked crab meat.
So while cats can eat small amounts of cooked crab meat, there are some precautions to follow.
Potential Benefits of Cooked Crab for Cats
When fed occasionally and in moderation, cooked crab meat can provide some nutritional value for cats:
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High-quality protein. Crab contains lean protein needed for maintaining and repairing muscle tissue.
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Vitamin B12. Crab is very high in vitamin B12, which supports healthy blood cells and nerve function in cats.
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Selenium. This essential mineral in crab boosts cats’ immunity and thyroid health. It also has antioxidant effects.
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Zinc. Zinc aids wound healing, keeps cats’ skin and coat healthy, and supports their senses of taste and smell.
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Omega-3 fatty acids. Crab provides anti-inflammatory omega-3s that can benefit skin, joints, eyes, heart, and brain.
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Low calorie. With about 85 calories per 3 oz serving, crab is a lean source of nutrients for cats.
When included occasionally as a treat, cooked crab can add nutritional variety to a cat’s diet in small portions.
Potential Risks of Feeding Crab to Cats
While cooked crab meat is not necessarily toxic to cats, there are some hazards to be aware of:
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Allergies or intolerance. Cats may be allergic or intolerant to crab proteins. Start with a tiny amount and monitor for any symptoms.
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Parasites. Raw or undercooked crab may contain harmful parasites. Ensure any crab given to cats is thoroughly and properly cooked.
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Shell fragments. Crab shell pieces pose a major injury and choking risk to cats. Be sure to remove every bit of shell.
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Seasonings. Onions, garlic, spices, herbs and other flavorings can be toxic to cats. Only feed plain crab meat.
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Heavy metals. Crabs from contaminated waters may accumulate mercury, arsenic, lead or cadmium. Only feed farmed or store-bought crab.
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High cholesterol. Cats produce their own cholesterol so high-cholesterol foods like crab should be limited.
Check with your vet before feeding crab to cats with underlying conditions like hyperthyroidism, heart disease, or kidney disease. Overall, moderation and proper preparation are key to safely feeding cooked crab.
Preparing Crab Meat Safely for Cats
Follow these guidelines when preparing crab at home for your cat:
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Purchase high-quality, fresh crab from a reputable market or seafood supplier. Avoid wild-caught crab which may have higher parasite risk.
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Cook the crab thoroughly until the internal temperature reaches at least 145°F to kill any potential bacteria or parasites present.
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Once cooked, let the crab cool completely before handling to prevent burns.
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Pick through the crab carefully, removing every single piece of shell, cartilage, and bone. Check for hidden fragments.
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Hold back any mustard (the crab’s digestive system) which can cause stomach upset in cats.
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Pull off plain pieces of crab meat before any seasonings, butter, or spices are added.
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Chop the meat into bite-size pieces appropriate for your cat to safely chew and swallow.
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Refrigerate leftover crab meat promptly and use within 2-3 days to prevent spoilage.
Introduce new foods like crab gradually and in tiny amounts to watch for any signs of sensitivity or allergic reaction in your cat.
Feeding Guidelines for Crab
Use these general guidelines for determining how much crab to feed your cat:
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Small cats (5-10 lbs): No more than 1 teaspoon of crab meat, 1-2 times weekly.
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Medium cats (10-15 lbs): No more than 1 tablespoon a few times monthly.
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Large cats (15+ lbs): No more than 2 tablespoons a few times per month.
Any more frequently than this may lead to pancreatitis or other issues. Always supervise your cat when feeding crab to prevent choking hazards.
Safe Ways to Include Crab in Your Cat’s Diet
Once you’ve properly prepared plain crab meat for your cat, here are some recipe ideas:
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Dice crab meat over your cat’s wet food as an added protein boost.
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Make crab broth by simmering shells, then strain and mix into food.
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For a treat, place small pieces of crab in an ice cube tray with broth and freeze.
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Lightly coat bites of crab in a cat-safe puree like pumpkin or sweet potato.
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Mix a few crumbs of crab with your cat’s usual treats like freeze-dried chicken.
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Add a teaspoon of crab to a cat-safe veggie like steamed carrots or peas.
Creative recipes allow you to safely add a novel protein and diversify your cat’s diet. But always feed crab in strict moderation.
The Verdict: Occasional Cooked Crab is OK
In conclusion, cooked crab meat represents an excellent occasional protein source that most cats can tolerate well. When fed in small, infrequent portions, it provides healthy nutrients without risks of toxicity. Just be sure to cook crab thoroughly, remove all shell, hold any seasonings, introduce slowly, and moderate portions.
Check with your veterinarian before feeding crab to any cat with pre-existing conditions, allergies, or special dietary needs. For the average healthy cat, a bite of plain cooked crab can be a safe and tasty treat. With proper precautions, you can safely indulge your cat’s curiosity for crab when you crack some open in the kitchen!
Can Cats Eat Crab Sticks?
There may be a lot of sodium in crab sticks or fake crab, which helps them taste like salty crab. It’s usually made of surimi, a paste made of ground seafood from different kinds of fish. It’s like a seafood hotdog.
Surimi, and thus imitation crab, is generally non-toxic for cats, but it’s also low in nutrients because of the amount of processing the surimi goes through from start to finish. It also contains various preservatives and colorings that may be harmful in large amounts, while the high carbohydrate content is not suitable for cats.
If cats only eat a few crab sticks every once in a while as a treat, they won’t get any health benefits from them. The biggest worries with crab sticks are the high sodium intake, phosphorus, carb content, additives, and flavorings. A small piece of a crab stick once in a while probably won’t make your cat sick, but they shouldn’t eat it all the time because it can make them fat and cause digestive problems.
People eat junk food like crab sticks, so it’s best not to give them to your cat.
Feeding Cats Crab Safely
When giving your cat crab, one of the most important things to remember is to never give them raw crab. The raw crab might have pathogens in it, like viruses, bacteria, and parasites, that get into your cat’s digestive system. They usually can’t finish their lifecycle in cats because cats aren’t their natural host, but they can still make cats sick and may need to see a vet.
Clean and cook crab meat the same way you would for people to make sure your cat doesn’t get any pathogens. When cooking for cats, don’t use any oils or spices. These are only for human taste and can be bad for cats or even poisonous.
Human Foods that Are Actually Good for Cats
FAQ
Is crab safe for cats?
What seafood can cats eat?
Is cooked crab safe to eat?
Why can’t cats eat shellfish?
Can cats eat canned crab?
Cats should never eat canned crab. Canned meats can contain high levels of sodium and should be avoided. Most canned meats also have various preservatives, such as citric acid, additives, and colorings, that may be harmful or even toxic depending on the particular compound and the amount. Avoid feeding your cat canned meats wherever possible.
Is it safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy?
It is safe to eat crab meat during pregnancy as long as it comes from a reliable source, with appropriate hygienic and sanitary conditions for pre-preparation, preparation and packaging of this food.
Can cats eat raw crab meat?
Raw or undercooked crab meat can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning in cats. To cook crab, simply boil it in water for about 10-15 minutes, until the meat is fully cooked. Once the crab is cooked, remove the meat from the shell and chop it into small, bite-sized pieces.
Can cats eat too much crab?
Too much crab too often could contribute to a stomach upset while not benefiting your cat in any way, but a little bit here and there won’t hurt them and makes a tasty snack for a curious cat. One thing to keep in mind is the type of crab and how it’s prepared.