Do you often give your dog shrimp? Just like us humans, many dogs also love them because they are yum! But can dogs eat shrimp? Before answering the all-important question let’s learn more about Shrimp. Shrimp is a type of shellfish seafood that is consumed worldwide. Be it roadside fast-food stalls or 5-star restaurants, shrimps are cooked and served everywhere. It is a great food to include in the diet. It is nutritious and provides a high amount of nutrients including iodine, which are not found abundantly in other food items. Iodine is necessary for proper thyroid functioning and the brain’s health. It is a good source of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Shrimp is also very beneficial for humans. But what about your dogs?

As a dog owner, you might be thinking of giving some shrimps to your dog so that they too get some healthy content with some exciting crunches. So, can dogs eat shrimp? Is it safe for them? Can this iodine-packed seafood stand out to be a good treat to your dog? Let’s read to find out such major answers. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Watermelon?

Can Dogs Eat Shrimp? Image Source@thelabradorsite.com

Are Shrimps Safe For Dogs? 

Shrimps are safe for dogs if they are well cooked, peeled, and cleaned. It is not only tasty but it is also full of protein and other nutritious values. They are full of nutrients like Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, Antioxidants, and Niacin. In short, they can be fed but in the proper amount and by following important safety measures. 

Health Benefits: 

• For your dog’s metabolic process, vitamins and minerals present in shrimp can play a very vital role. It will help your dog live a healthier life.

1. Vitamin B12 is a very necessary vitamin and it is very important for your pooch’s gastrointestinal health. 
2. Phosphorus can be greatly beneficial for your dog’s bones. 
3. D3 will be helpful for your dog’s immune system and it eliminates cancerous cells.
4. Niacin which is also known as B3 is necessary for good enzyme functioning and production of energy. 

• Shrimps provide several essential amino acids which your dog’s body can absorb and use to make its proteins. It supports your: 

1. Heart 
2. Brain 
3. Eyes 
4. Immune system 

• This small-size shrimp also contains some calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They are also rich in zinc, iron, and selenium.
• It is low in fat, carbohydrates, and calories which is good for a dog’s diet.

Anyways shrimp can cause the formation of high cholesterol which clearly means that shrimps can only be an occasional healthy treat and can’t be fed regularly. 

Important Concern: 

A thing that’s a matter of high concern and the dog owners need to be cautious about is the level of iodine it contains. These seaside snacks are high in sodium and iodine. In simple terms, shrimp is high in salt. Much salt is not good for dogs and can cause GI issues, dehydration, or sodium poisoning if your dog eats it in a huge amount. 

Shrimp and other fish can cause both food allergies and food intolerance in dogs. Seafood can act as a trigger to an allergic reaction. Itchy skin is a sign of food allergy. You can try feeding your dog well-cooked shrimps, uncooked seafood is a very bad choice for dogs. If your dog doesn’t respond in a good reaction after eating a shrimp, it is better not to include it in your dog’s diet. Rush to your veterinarian as soon as you encounter any signs of food poisoning. 

Contaminated shellfish like shrimp and prawns can cause severe health hazards like paralysis, neurological symptoms, and gastrointestinal distress. Hence, it is important to have proper knowledge of the vendors and their credibility so that you don’t buy stale shrimp from them. 

Things To Keep In Mind Before Serving Shrimps To Your Dog: 

• You should learn what and how many ingredients are needed for a well-cooked shrimp for your dog. 
• Make sure you are buying the best quality shrimps from a trustworthy and reliable source. You should not compromise on your dog’s food quality. 
• Do not serve shrimps as a full-day meal. Instead, try to provide shrimps in about 25% of your dog’s meal. Slowly you can increase the amount as per your dog’s capacity and health. Make sure to keep it occasional, not regular. 
• Shells can be a choking hazard, so peeling out shells properly is important before serving shrimps to your dog. 
• You can cut it into pieces to avoid swallowing issues and for proper digestion of the meal. 
• Do not cook shrimp for your dog that is too spicy or too oily because these are not good for animals. Also, try to use minimum food additives, just to bring the taste and nothing much. 
• Raw shrimp contain all kinds of bacteria and parasites too, so don’t think of serving raw shrimp to your dog. It can make your dog sick.
• If your dog gets sick or has allergies, contact the vet as they can help you out in knowing what amount of shrimp is good for your dog and everything else related to feeding. 

Conclusion:

You might have got a brief and clear idea of whether you can feed your dog’s shrimp or not. Dogs get bored of eating the same food again and again, and any new addition to their diet can make them pleased. We too look for some new snack in between our regular food, hence it is pretty obvious for the dogs too to have a change in their regular taste.

Shrimp on another hand can be a go-to food you are looking to add to your dog’s diet. Its health benefits and deliciousness will be very effective for your dogs and they will enjoy having them too. So next time you are bringing shrimp for your meal, surprise your little dogs by feeding a part of it to them.

This special and tasty treat will hit them differently and they will finally have something else apart from their regular boring meal. But make sure to follow the safety measures and feed your dog shrimp in moderation only.