Have you ever wondered if it was okay to feed your pet cat some shrimp off your dinner plate?
Yes, you may give your cat some shrimp, and he or she is bound to enjoy it.
As delicious as we find shrimp, cats find it even more delicious and would love to eat it all the time.
But would that be healthy for them? Keep reading to know how much of this delicious snack you should give your cat.
We’ve included other tips you should also know about your pet’s diet.
We have already established that cats can eat shrimp. After all, they are carnivores.
But rather than red blood meat, cats prefer their meat to be from the sea.
Any variety of seafood is something to salivate over for them.
Shrimp is even more special because it is small and easy for them to chew, swallow, and digest.
But no matter how much your pet cat loves his shrimp, it can only be a snack and not a full meal.
Shrimp might be tasty, but it doesn’t contain the necessary nutrients your cat needs to grow.
Remember this the next time your pet is whining for more shrimp.
Indoor cats seem to enjoy shrimp even more than their outdoor counterparts.
This is because living indoors has numbed their instinct to hunt prey.
But more than that, the distinct taste and flavor of shrimp would make for a refreshing change from their regular kibble meals.
A piece of shrimp now and then is suitable for your pet.
Please don’t make it a habit to give him/her too much shrimp.
He/she might become very attached and start rejecting their regular food. Shrimp is great for a cat’s taste buds but doesn’t contain the essential nutrients that the kibble has.
The kibble and wet food contain all the nutrients that your cat needs to grow up healthy.
As lovely as shrimp is, it doesn’t contain all the crucial nutrients needed by your pet cat. You can still let your cat have some shrimp, but it shouldn’t exceed two times each week.
How to feed shrimp to your cat
Even knowing that cats love shrimp, and it is okay to give them some, you still need to be cautious.
Slowly introduce shrimp to your pet cat’s diet. A sudden introduction of shrimp to your pet’s diet could upset his/her digestion.
Before you give your cat shrimp treats, find out about his/her allergies, if any. If your pet is allergic to seafood like some cats, don’t give him/her shrimp.
It could be fatal.
If your cat shows no signs of allergies, you can proceed with testing the waters.
Start with small bite-sized pieces and gradually increase it if your cat does not react to it.
Carefully monitor any side effects that might show up. If you notice any of the following symptoms, take your cat to the vet immediately.
• Swelling
• Difficulty in breathing
• Increased heart rate
Is Shrimp Good for my Cat?
Shrimp contains a substantial amount of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
It contains vitamins B3, B12, E, and B6. It also has large amounts of Omega-3 fats, zinc, copper, phosphorus, iodine, and selenium.
Shrimp is quite a nutrient-filled snack for your cat.
Omega-3 fats might be one of the top nutrients your cat will get from shrimps.
Why? It aids blood circulation in the body. Omega-3 fatty oils are also healthy for plump cats, need surgery, or old cats. That’s not all, Omega-3 fats optimize brain function while ensuring your pet’s coat has a healthy sheen to it.
Shrimp is also an excellent source of protein, and that’s something your cat would love.
With shrimps high in protein, you don’t have to worry about your cat adding weight.
He/she can enjoy as many shrimp treats as you can give while staying healthy.
Despite how healthy it is, keep the shrimp treats to a minimum of twice per week.
You don’t want to have a picky eater on your hands.
Feed your cat only fresh shrimp
It is crucial that you only feed your pet cat fresh shrimp when it is still fresh. If the shrimp stays longer than that, it becomes a health risk to your pet.
Fresh shrimp is still good within two to three days of purchase.
After three days, there is a higher chance of harmful bacterial activity. If consumed after this period, it can make you and your cat sick.
How can you tell that a shrimp is fresh even on the second day?
Color and smell. These two indicators are close to foolproof. A fresh shrimp should smell of saltwater.
If you sniff it and it has a slightly different smell, don’t give it to your cat. It could be dangerous. Carefully look over the shrimp. If you notice any discoloration (green or black), dispose of it.
If fresh shrimp is a hassle for you, get frozen shrimp. Frozen shrimp can last for a while as long as you keep it in the freezer. Most importantly, your cat would love it.
On hot days, you might not even bother defrosting it. You may give it to your cat frozen and let him/her chew on it.
The frost would provide much-needed hydration.
Frozen or fresh, shrimp is an excellent snack for your pet cat.
What are the benefits of Carnivores Eating Shrimp?
Shrimp contains astaxanthin, a carotenoid known for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
When animals consume food that contains this carotenoid, it boosts their nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Further studies on astaxanthin have shown that it also reduces the risk of diabetes and colon cancer.
Cooked or Raw?—How would your Pet Cat like it?
We might like our shrimp cooked or fried, but cats love theirs fresh and raw.
The smell is as appealing to them as it is repelling to us. Don’t bother trying to cook the shrimp because your cat would love it better when it’s raw and smelly.
The smell of raw shrimp activates the part of a cat’s brain that is linked to hunger and makes them want the snack even more.
For indoor cats, the thrill is more primal than their love for shrimp and other seafood. Most indoor cats haven’t explored the predatory aspects of their genes.
Eating raw, smelly shrimp is a way for them to feel like the natural predators they are. The smell activates the part of their brains that is predatory.
When your cat finally gets to eat the shrimp, the combination of taste and smell makes him/her feel like a natural carnivorous hunter.
Although your cat prefers raw food, you still have to prepare it properly.
The process of preparation covers cleaning the shrimp well and removing its digestive tract. You must remove the digestive tract of the shrimp before giving it to your cat.
Harmful substances from the shrimp’s last meal might still be inside the gastrointestinal tract.
The preparation process of your cat’s favorite shrimp treat shouldn’t take too long. Clean and get rid of the digestive tract.
Don’t bother removing the tails or legs—it’ll be something extra crunchy for your cat to snack on.
Once you’re done cleaning the shrimp, watch as your pet cat devours its fresh smelly and utterly delicious snack.
If your little feline friend has a great appetite, what do you feed it? The usual dry cat food may do, but you may want to add variety in your kitty’s diet.
In case you happen to have shrimp, give your cat a shrimp or two. Your cat would surely enjoy eating shrimp. However, you should also be careful because there’s a limitation about how much you should feed your cats shrimp.
As carnivores, meat is a big chunk of their diet. Thus, seafood may be a lump of appealing meat to cats. Cats love salty and fishy food. Since shrimp is small in size and shape, this makes it the perfect snack for cats to nibble on.
Shrimps are especially a great treat for domestic indoor cats since they do not have a chance to practice their predatory skills. Feeding a shrimp or two can provide variety from their usual dry kibble diet.
Treats, however, should be given in moderation. It may be hard to resist spoiling your kitten, but try to give treats in moderation as it may refuse to eat its regular meals which provide the nutrients and vitamins felines need.
So make sure to feed your kitty just a shrimp or two once or twice a week is more than enough.
If you plan to give shrimps to your cat as a treat, make sure to include it in your pet’s diet gradually. It would help if you introduced the treat slowly and in small bite sizes not to upset your cat’s digestion.
Gradually introducing shrimp in your cat’s diet will also help you identify if your cat reacts to some food or has allergies.
Is shrimp the right treat for your cat?
Shrimp is a healthy treat for your cat because it is an excellent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients.
Among the various health benefits shrimp offers is omega-3, which can help circulation and blood flow. Omega-3 is especially suitable for older and heavier cats.
