The world’s oceans are a treasure trove of delicious and nutritious foods, among them everyone’s favorite shellfish: the shrimp.
Fortunately, humans aren’t the only species that can enjoy the benefits shrimp offer, because dogs can eat shrimp, too. In fact, this food is chock full of nutrients every dog needs to stay healthy—not to mention they make a mouthwatering snack! Just remember to cook them and feed them to your pet in moderation.
Read on as we discuss why shrimp is good for dogs!
Why are shrimp good for dogs?
Shrimp are good for dogs because they’re rich in nutrients that boost your dog’s health. These nutrients are as follows:
Protein
Shrimp are an excellent source of protein, a nutrient dogs use for the development and maintenance of muscles, skin, nails, hair, blood, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments.
When broken down by the canine body, protein also helps generate the energy dogs need to move around and stay alive. Working dogs, hunting dogs, and other dog breeds that live an extremely active lifestyle can especially benefit from eating high-protein foods such as shrimp.
Minerals
Shrimp are loaded with a wide range of minerals that every dog needs to stay in great health.
Shrimp boast significant amounts of phosphorus, a mineral that plays a vital role in many biological functions. It’s also essential for protein and amino acid synthesis, cell growth, and energy storage and use.
This seafood contains copper, which helps keep the heart and immune system functioning properly. It’s also involved in the formation of bone tissue and hemoglobin; the production and function of various enzymes; and the development of connective tissue.
Then there’s zinc, which is involved in wound and skin healing, immune system function, protein production, carbohydrate metabolism, and more than 100 enzyme functions.
Shrimp is also rich in magnesium, which provides dogs with energy by assisting in fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Meanwhile, potassium helps the muscles to contract, the nerve impulses to travel, and more.
Calcium not only keeps the bones and teeth strong but also plays a role in muscle function, blood clotting, nerve transmission, and cell communication.
Selenium helps maintain the immune system’s health and protects cells from damage caused by oxidative stress.
Lastly, there’s iron, which is vital for the transportation of oxygen throughout the canine body, and manganese, which is involved in bone development and the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.
Vitamins
Shrimp are a great source of cobalamin a.k.a. vitamin B12, which is involved in many vital metabolic processes as well as helps to keep cells functioning as they’re supposed to. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to stunted growth and anemia.
Shrimp also contains niacin, or vitamin B3. This is necessary for energy production, proper enzyme function, blood circulation, fat production, and various other processes.
This food also contains choline, a nutrient that’s similar to B vitamins. Choline reduces the liver’s fat absorption and plays a role in blood clotting.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Shrimp contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation and keep cartilage functional and healthy.
Low calories
Shrimp are low in calories, making them a great snack for dogs that need to lose weight. This food also helps healthy dogs maintain their ideal weight.
When are shrimp bad for dogs?
Shrimp are good for dogs as they’re packed with nutrients they need to stay in good health. However, as you’ll see below, there are cases when shrimp can be bad for dogs.
Raw shrimp
Raw or undercooked shrimp can be home to harmful bacteria such as listeria and salmonella, which can make your dog extremely ill when ingested. As high temperatures are deadly to these microbes, shrimp should be properly cooked before feeding them to your dog.
Eating raw or undercooked shrimp can lead to food poisoning symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive panting
- Excessive salivation and drooling
- Extreme thirst
- Uncontrolled urination
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Hyperactivity
- Cramping
In the worse of cases, a dog may also experience:
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Heart palpitations
Severe food poisoning can even kill a dog if allowed to go untreated.
Contact a vet for assistance if your dog displays the above symptoms after eating raw or undercooked shrimp.
If you can’t reach a vet, those in North America can instead call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Choking hazard
In addition to cooking shrimp, it’s best to remove the shrimp shells before feeding the meat to your dog. This is because the shells can get stuck in your dog’s throat and choke them. They may even cause an intestinal blockage, which can be deadly if not addressed by a vet.
Smaller dogs are at particular risk of suffering after eating shrimp shells. Call a vet for help if your dog experiences any problems after ingesting shells.
Allergic reaction
Like some people, some dogs are allergic to seafood such as shrimp.
What happens when a dog that’s allergic to shrimp eats shrimp? They’ll likely experience symptoms such as the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchiness
- Hives
- Facial swelling
- Inflamed, reddish skin
- Sneezing
- Runny ears
- Excessive licking
A severe allergic reaction can even cause a potentially deadly anaphylactic shock, during which the blood pressure suddenly plunges and the airways constrict to make breathing exceedingly difficult.
Seek veterinary assistance if your dog experiences an allergic reaction due to shrimp consumption. If this reaction is severe, your best course of action is to rush your pooch to the vet for emergency, life-saving treatment.
At any rate, it’s always a good idea to have a vet examine your dog so they can determine what foods they’re allergic to. This way, you can avoid feeding your dog anything that can make them sick.
FAQs about shrimp for dogs
It’s time to answer more commonly asked questions about shrimp for dogs!
How should I cook shrimp for my dog?
While you should cook shrimp before feeding them to your dog, how you cook shrimp is also important.
After removing the shell, you can steam, roast, bake, or boil the shrimp meat for your canine pal. Steaming is ideal as it preserves the most nutrients. Boiling is your worst option as it removes nutrients from the shrimp.
Don’t feed your dog fried shrimp!
Whatever cooking method you use, you should keep the shrimp as plain as possible. Never use any seasonings or unnecessary ingredients as these can make your dog ill or even kill them. That means no salt, sugar, spices, herbs, dairy, fat, or oil.
In short, keep shrimp plain and unseasoned if you plan on feeding them to your dog.
How much shrimp can I feed my dog?
Shrimp shouldn’t be a regular part of your dog’s diet. They should, instead, be eaten as an occasional snack.
It’s safe to feed the average dog one or two shrimp around twice a week. A smaller dog should be given less.
Because some dogs have a habit of swallowing their food whole, it’s a good idea to cut shrimp up into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of choking. The smaller your dog, the smaller those pieces should be.
How should I introduce shrimp to my dog?
If you’re giving your dog shrimp for the first time, you should give them only a few slices of shrimp meat. Monitor your dog for issues such as digestive concerns or an allergic reaction. Contact your vet for advice if such problems arise after shrimp consumption.
If no problems occur, wait a few days before giving them a larger portion of shrimp cuts. For the next couple of weeks, gradually increase the portion size every feeding session; this will allow your dog’s digestive system to get used to the new food. Once it’s obvious shrimp isn’t making them ill, you can give them the recommended amount of shrimp per week.
Can dogs eat raw shrimp?
No. Uncooked shrimp contain pathogens that can seriously harm dogs. Cooking shrimp kills these pathogens, making them safe for dogs to eat.
Can dogs eat shrimp shells?
Shrimp shells can obstruct the esophagus to cause choking, or get stuck further down the digestive tract to cause an intestinal obstruction. Both issues are potentially life-threatening.
If your dog chokes on the shells, you may need to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
If your dog is unable to pass the shells naturally, they could end up causing an intestinal blockage, which is typically removed via surgery.
Can dogs eat fried shrimp?
Don’t give dogs fried shrimp.
Any fried food can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, and indigestion. Frequently feeding dogs fried foods can lead to more significant problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis – issues that can harm their quality of life and even shorten their lifespan.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat shrimp? They definitely can! Shrimp makes for a great snack as they’re both delicious and nutrient-rich. And as long as you feed your dog cooked shrimp in moderation, they’ll continue to enjoy the many benefits this amazing food provides.