- Scientific Name: Decapoda (order)
- Common Name: Shrimp
- Dangerous Compounds: None
- Toxic to Dogs: No
- Common Symptoms: None
So, can dogs eat shrimp? Read on to find out.
Dogs love meat and protein is an important part of the canine diet. Not only does it satisfy your dog’s carnal cravings, but it helps to support his lean muscle mass as well.
When you think about the different types of meat your dog can eat, you probably don’t think about seafood – especially not shellfish like shrimp. But shrimp is an excellent source of lean protein for dogs and completely safe.
Health Benefits of Shrimp
In addition to being full of natural flavor, shrimp are also rich in protein and a variety of other healthy nutrients. These shellfish contain healthy antioxidants as well as vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12, phosphorus, and niacin (or Vitamin B3). Here is an overview of the health benefits your dog can derive from eating shrimp:
- Shrimp is a lean source of protein – it only contains about 100 calories per 100 grams but has 24 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of fat.
- Rich in Vitamin B12 which is a water-soluble vitamin essential for nerve and blood health – it is also important for neurotransmitter signaling.
- Is a good source of niacin, or Vitamin B3, which helps to prevent high cholesterol, helping to preserve your dog’s heart health.
- Contains plenty of essential minerals like phosphorus, choline, copper, and iodine which are important for nutritional balance.
- Is rich in two types of antioxidants which help to protect against free-radical damage and which support your dog’s immune system.
- Contains high quantities of selenium which is important for healthy thyroid function, immune function, and cognitive function.
- Has astaxanthin, an antioxidant pigment which helps to reduce inflammation and prevent chronic disease.
All shellfish have the potential to transmit food-borne pathogens when served raw or undercooked. To keep your dog safe from harmful pathogens, cook the shrimp before feeding them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?
Yes. Feeding shrimp to your dog is very simple – you can just feed it to him whole. The easiest way to feed your dog shrimp is to buy frozen cooked shrimp and to thaw it out for feeding.
If you prefer to buy raw shrimp, make sure it has been peeled and deveined then cook it by boiling it in water until it turns pink and opaque.
The skins can get stuck in your dog’s teeth and might pose a choking hazard for smaller dogs. The skins don’t provide any nutritional value for your dog anyway, so there is no reason to keep them on for feeding them to your dog.
When feeding your dog shrimp, it is important that you cook it first to destroy any potentially harmful pathogens. Raw shellfish are known for containing bacteria which can cause shellfish toxicity, but cooking the shrimp usually destroys the problem.
You should also be sure to remove the shells and tails from the shrimp before offering it to your dog and only feed him shrimp in moderation. Supplemental foods should make up no more than 5% of your dog’s daily diet.
Also read: Can Dogs Eat Scallops?
Homemade Recipes for Dogs Using Shrimp
Though you can certainly feed your dog whole cooked shrimp as an occasional treat, there are also some tasty ways to incorporate this lean protein into homemade dog treats.
Below you will find a few simple recipes using shrimp that your dog is sure to love:
Shrimp Dog Rice
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 6 cups Water
- 1 lb Ground Turkey
- 1 lb De-shelled Shrimps
- 2 cups Rice
- 1 tsp Dried rosemary
- 16 oz Package frozen broccoli, carrots and cauliflower combination
- 2 Eggs
Instructions
- Place the water, ground turkey, rice, and rosemary into a large Dutch oven.
- Stir until the ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add shrimps then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes
- Add the frozen vegetables & eggs, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool.Â
- Refrigerate until using.
Tuna and Shrimp Dog Food
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 lb Cooked shrimp
- 12 oz Canned tuna in oil
- 1 large Sweet potato
- 1/2 cup Plain yogurt
- 1/4 tsp  Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp  Thyme
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric
Instructions
- Grind the shrimp in a food processor.
- Poke a few holes in the sweet potato, and cook it in the microwave until soft.
- Mash the potato with the skin included.Â
- Â Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Serve once not too hot
Healthy Homemade Dog Food
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb Shrimps shells removed
- 3 cups Cooked old-fashioned regular rolled oats
- 2 cups Shredded yellow squash or zucchini
- 1 cup Shredded carrots
- 1 cup Frozen green peas, thawed
- 1/2 cup Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts & shrimps in a large saucepan; add water until chicken is covered. Bring to a boil over high, and once water boils, reduce heat to medium.
- Simmer until chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and let chicken cool in broth in saucepan for 30 minutes.
- Transfer chicken & shrimps to a cutting board, reserving broth.Â
- Chop chicken into small pieces and mince the shrimps
- Combine chicken, oats, shredded vegetables, peas, and parsley in a large bowl.Â
- Add reserved chicken broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached based on your dog’s palate.
Storage Instructions
- To store dog food: Place in ziplock plastic bags, seal and store in refrigerator up to 3 to 4 days, or in freezer up to 3 weeks.
- Check with your veterinarian to determine your dog’s nutritional needs and serving size.
Is cooked shrimp bad for dogs?
Shrimp are also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates, which makes them a good choice for dogs on a diet. However, shrimp are high in cholesterol. This means that while an occasional shrimp is a healthy treat, too many shrimp can contribute to unhealthy levels of cholesterol in your dog's diet.
How much shrimp can a dog eat?
Yes, dogs can eat a small quantity of cooked shrimp as an occasional treat. Limit your dog to a half cup or less per serving, no more than once a week. Never feed your dog raw shrimp, and remove shells, tails, and veins from cooked shrimp.
Does shrimp make dogs sick?
Raw shrimp is a source of all kinds of bacteria, including dreaded salmonella and listeria. Even undercooked shrimp can make your dog sick, so if you think your pooch has gotten ahold of some raw shrimp, make sure to contact your veterinarian.
How do you cook shrimp for dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat shrimp as long as it is plain and cooked, and only in small amounts. Steaming is the best way to cook shrimp for dogs, as fried or breaded shrimp contains unnecessary fats and oils that can be harmful.