Only the dog parents with superhuman self-control have never given some bits of their food to their pets.
“It’s just a tiny little piece, it can’t be that bad!” You may have said that to yourself before allowing your dog to eat plenty of things you probably shouldn’t have.
How safe are shrimp when it comes to feeding your dogs? Let’s find out!
Can Dogs Eat Shrimp?
Not only is shrimp generally safe and delicious, and it is also rich in nutritional values that can make it an outstanding treat to give to your dog on occasion.
Some of the numerous health benefits of eating shrimp are:
It promotes healthy joints
Shrimp is a great source of glucosamine, which is an amino sugar composed of glucose and glutamine. It assists in forming and repairing cartilages that promote a better joint health in canines.
Although your dogs produce glucosamine naturally, its production declines as they age.
Adding glucosamine to your dog’s diet through shrimp treats can help improve their mobility and the shock-resistance of their joints.
It improves the functioning of organs
Shrimp is an excellent source of an amino acid called taurine which supports the eye, brain, heart, and immune system functioning in dogs.
Similar to glucosamine, your four-legged friends can create their own taurine but as its production declines with age, supplementing taurine in their diet via shrimps can help decrease your dog’s risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy and age-related vision impairment.
It can make dogs more fit
Shrimp is rich in minerals and vitamins.
Wild shrimp —not raised in commercial farms — live in mineral-rich seawater their entire lives which imparts even more minerals in them!
This nutritional wealth of shrimp helps with your dogs’ gastrointestinal health, immune system, cancer resistance, blood circulation, and enzyme function.
Could Shrimp be Bad for My Dogs?
A cooked, steamed, boiled, or roasted shrimp is fantastic for your dogs, but raw shrimp has harmful parasites.
Your dogs shouldn’t eat raw shrimp for the same reasons you shouldn’t eat them. It poses the risks of indigestion, bacterial infection, and food poisoning.
Depending on the pathogens present in a shrimp such as roundworms, tapeworms, gapeworms, or flukes, there could be several other health concerns correlated to eating raw or undercooked shrimp.
Can My Dogs Eat Shrimp Tails?
It’s not safe for your dogs to eat shrimp tails.
Similar to the bones of small chicken or fish, the tail of a shrimp can be a choking hazard if your pets swallow it.
Also, the sharp edges of a shrimp’s tail can irritate your dogs’ upper gastrointestinal tract.
The tail should be unconditionally discarded from the cooked shrimp before you feed it to your dogs.
Can My Dog Eat Shrimp Shells?
Just like the tail, the shrimp shell should also be removed before you feed your dog cooked shrimp.
Unlike the tails, however, you don’t have to throw away the shells, as there are various delicious shrimp shell recipes that you could use to treat yourself.
Can Dogs Have Too Much Shrimp?
If it may be possible your dog ate too much shrimp, watch carefully for any symptoms of stomach issues.
Symptoms could include fatigue, reduced appetite, apparent discomfort, vomiting and/or diarrhea, decreased water consumption, and/or increased licking of lips, objects, or the air.
Contact your veterinarian if you observe these symptoms.
Learn more helpful tips for mastering dog care at The Dog’s Avenue.
Editor’s Note
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not to be used as a replacement for veterinary advice. Factors like a dog’s age, health, and diet can impact the safety of a food, activity, or product for the dog.
You should regularly consult with your dog’s veterinarian to learn how you can provide the best care for your dog. Always ask your dog’s veterinarian before giving your dog a new food or trying out a new activity or product.
