Can Cats Eat Shrimp? Yes, Cooked, Plain and Peeled

Why plain cooked shrimp is safe

Cats are obligate carnivores, and shrimp is pure animal protein with very little fat when it is boiled or steamed. It is a natural fit for a cat's taste and is easy to digest in small amounts, which makes it a useful high-value treat for nail trims or vet trips.

It is not a meal, though. Shrimp lacks the balance of taurine, vitamins and minerals in complete cat food, and Cornell's Feline Health Center suggests treats stay under 10 to 15 percent of a cat's daily calories. Think of it as a garnish, not dinner.

Raw shrimp, shells and seasoning

Do not feed raw shrimp. Raw seafood can carry bacteria, and VCA Animal Hospitals explains that raw fish and shellfish contain thiaminases, enzymes that break down thiamine, an essential B vitamin for cats. Cooking destroys thiaminases, which is one more reason to cook it.

Remove the shell, legs, head and tail. These are hard and sharp and can cause choking or a blockage. Avoid shrimp scampi, garlic shrimp, coconut shrimp, popcorn shrimp and shrimp cocktail sauce. Garlic and onion are especially harmful to cats, and breaded, fried shrimp is too fatty.

How to prepare shrimp for your cat

Buy plain raw shrimp, peel and devein it, then boil or steam it in unsalted water for two to three minutes until it turns pink and opaque all the way through. Let it cool completely and cut it into pieces about the size of a pea.

Frozen cooked shrimp from the store is often brined in salt, and canned shrimp is salty too. If you use them, rinse well and give less. Skip any shrimp that has sat out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.

A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.

How much shrimp to give

For a small cat under 8 lb, about half a medium shrimp once or twice a week is enough. For a larger cat over 12 lb, one medium shrimp is the most to offer at a time. Count shrimp as part of the day's treat allowance, not on top of it.

Cats with kidney disease, heart disease or on a low-sodium or prescription diet should only have shrimp if their vet agrees. Start with a single small piece the first time, because shellfish allergies do occur in cats.

Kittens and shrimp

Kittens can try a tiny piece of plain cooked shrimp once they are eating solid kitten food well, usually from about eight weeks. Their stomachs are easily upset, so one pea-sized piece is plenty.

Growing kittens need the precise nutrition of kitten food, so keep shrimp rare. Cut pieces very small, since kittens gulp food and can choke on firm chunks. Skip shrimp entirely for a kitten with a sensitive stomach or loose stool, and ask your vet before adding new foods.

Signs of trouble and when to call the vet

Too much shrimp or a sensitivity usually shows up within a few hours as vomiting, diarrhea or gas. An allergy can cause itching, scratching at the face, hives or swelling. Offer water and stop the shrimp.

Call your vet the same day if your cat vomits repeatedly, has facial swelling or trouble breathing, gags or paws at the mouth after eating a shell, or ate shrimp cooked with garlic or onion. Facial swelling or breathing trouble is an emergency.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.