Can My Cat Eat Raw Shrimp? A Vet’s Guide to Safe Shrimp Snacking

Shrimp can make a tasty treat for cats, but is it safe to feed raw shrimp to your feline friend? I did some digging to find out if cats can eat raw shrimp and the best way to serve this shellfish snack

An Overview of Shrimp for Cats

Shrimp is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals for humans. It also provides health benefits for cats, including:

• Boosting the immune system
• Supporting heart and brain health
• Maintaining healthy skin and coat
• Building muscle mass

However, there are some important things to consider before feeding shrimp to cats:

Raw vs Cooked

Raw shrimp may contain bacteria like Salmonella and Vibrio that can make cats sick. For this reason it’s safest to only feed thoroughly cooked shrimp to cats with the shell head and tail removed.

Seasonings

Avoid shrimp seasoned with butter, oil, garlic, onion or other ingredients that are toxic to cats. Only plain cooked shrimp should be fed to cats.

Allergies

Some cats may be allergic to shrimp. Monitor for signs of an allergic reaction like vomiting, diarrhea or itchy skin.

Moderation

Shrimp is high in cholesterol so only feed cats small amounts as an occasional treat.

Can Cats Eat Raw Shrimp?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s focus on the question at hand – can cats eat raw shrimp?

The short answer is no, raw shrimp should not be fed to cats.

Here’s why:

• Bacteria risk – Raw shellfish like shrimp may contain harmful bacteria including Salmonella, Vibrio vulnificus and Listeria. These bacteria can survive freezing and make cats sick.

• Parasite risk – Raw shrimp may also contain parasites. Some parasitic worms can be transmitted to cats who eat infected raw seafood.

• Nutritional concerns – Cooking helps release more nutrients from shrimp. The protein in cooked shrimp is easier for cats to digest than raw.

• Choking hazard – Raw shrimp with the tail shell on pose a choking risk, especially for cats who gulp their food.

So raw shrimp is clearly risky for cats. But what about rare or lightly cooked shrimp?

Is Lightly Cooked Shrimp Safe?

Lightly cooked and rare shrimp are safer than completely raw but could still pose a health risk to cats.

The FDA recommends cooking shrimp to an internal temperature of 145°F to destroy bacteria and parasites.

Searing or lightly cooking shrimp may not reach this temperature throughout the whole piece. Light pink shrimp could still harbor dangerous organisms in the center.

For maximum safety, shrimp fed to cats should be thoroughly cooked until opaque and flaky. Don’t take chances with rare or pink shrimp.

How to Prepare Shrimp for Cats

Follow these steps for safely preparing shrimp as an occasional treat for cats:

• Buy fresh or thawed shrimp and cook thoroughly to 145°F. Do not refreeze raw shrimp.

• Remove the shell, tail, head, legs and veins before cooking. Discard any shrimp with black spots.

• Cook shrimp plain without any seasonings, oil, butter or salt.

• Chop cooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces. Cut any large pieces in half or quarters.

• Refrigerate leftover shrimp and use within 3 days. Discard any old, smelly shrimp.

• Start by feeding your cat a small amount of shrimp. Monitor for signs of an allergic reaction.

• Introduce new foods slowly and discontinue if your cat has an upset stomach or diarrhea after eating shrimp.

Follow these safe handling and feeding tips and your cat can enjoy shrimp without the health risks! Always check with your veterinarian before introducing new human foods.

How Much Shrimp Can Cats Eat?

Shrimp make a healthy, protein-rich snack for cats, but it should only be fed in moderation. Here are some serving guidelines:

• For an average sized cat, limit shrimp to 1-2 small cooked pieces 2-3 times per week.

• For larger cats, 2-3 medium shrimp a few times weekly is appropriate.

• Tiny or petite cats can have half of a small shrimp as their portion.

• Avoid feeding cats more than 3-4 ounces of cooked shrimp per week.

It’s also best to pair shrimp with your cat’s regular meals instead of replacing their diet with this human food. Too much shrimp could lead to nutritional imbalances.

Monitor your cat’s weight and adjust the shrimp serving size if they start to gain excess weight. The high cholesterol content of shrimp makes overfeeding risky.

Are Shrimp Tails and Shells Safe for Cats?

You already know raw shrimp is risky. But what about cooked shrimp tails or shells?

The tails and shells of cooked shrimp are unlikely to make cats sick. However, it’s still best to remove shells and tails before feeding shrimp to cats for a few reasons:

• Choking risk – Shrimp tails and shells can pose a choking hazard or become lodged in the mouth or throat, especially for gulping eaters.

• Digestive upset – Shell pieces can potentially cause vomiting or diarrhea if cats swallow larger fragments.

• Texture issues – Some cats may find the texture of shells or tails unappetizing. This varies based on your cat’s preferences.

So while shrimp shells likely won’t poison cats, they provide no nutritional value. It’s safest to remove the shells and tails and just feed your cat the meaty shrimp flesh.

If your cat accidentally eats a small bit of shell, just monitor them closely. Contact your vet if you notice vomiting, appetite loss or other signs of obstruction from swallowing the shell. Indigestible objects usually pass through the digestive tract without issue, but call your vet if you have any concerns.

Can Cats Be Allergic to Shrimp?

Seafood allergies are very rare in cats but not impossible. The most common food allergens for cats include:

• Beef
• Dairy
• Chicken
• Fish
• Wheat
• Corn
• Soy

Shrimp and other shellfish are way down on the list. But any novel protein, even fish, poses a low risk of triggering an allergic response when introduced.

Monitor your cat closely when first trying shrimp and watch for these allergic reaction signs:

• Itchy skin or ears
• Hives
• Excessive licking/grooming
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Facial swelling

If your cat shows any allergic symptoms after eating shrimp, discontinue feeding it and see your vet. They can help confirm or rule out a shrimp allergy through testing and treatment.

Allergies are uncommon but possible with any new food. Use caution when initially introducing shrimp or other novel proteins to your cat’s diet.

The Bottom Line on Raw Shrimp for Cats

Can cats eat raw shrimp? I recommend avoiding raw and undercooked shrimp due to bacteria risks. Raw shrimp may also contain parasites.

For health and safety, cats should only eat thoroughly cooked shrimp that is plain with no seasonings or additives. Remove the shell, tail and veins before cooking. Introduce new foods slowly and watch for allergies or tummy upset.

Shrimp that is properly handled and prepared can make a tasty, protein-packed treat for cats in moderation. But take care not to overfeed shrimp to cats due to the high cholesterol content.

Check with your vet before feeding pets any human foods like shrimp. Together you can determine if shrimp is appropriate based on your cat’s health conditions and needs. With some precautions, your kitty can enjoy shrimp without getting a nasty case of shellfish poisoning!