Can Cats Eat Shrimp?

Yes, cats can have shrimp if it’s cooked, plain, and served in small amounts. 

Stick with fully cooked shrimp with the shell and tail removed. Raw shrimp, fried shrimp, buttery shrimp, or heavily seasoned shrimp can make cats sick. 

If you’d rather reach for something store-bought, a few fishy cat treats include: 

Shrimp can have a few upsides for cats, but it shouldn’t be a major source of nutrition. 

A couple possible benefits include: 

• Protein: Shrimp is high in protein, which fits well with a cat’s natural diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are built to get most of their nutrition from animal-based foods, like shrimp. 
• Low carbohydrate content: Plain shrimp is naturally low in carbohydrates, which aligns better with a cat’s nutritional needs than many other human foods. 

While shrimp offers some benefits, it can cause problems for cats if the preparation is wrong or the portion is too large. 

A few things to watch out for: 

• Shells and tails: These parts can become a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage or irritation. 
• Raw shrimp: Raw shrimp can expose cats to harmful germs that cooking would normally kill. Cooking also deactivates thiaminase, an enzyme in some shellfish that can lead to a thiamine deficiency in cats. 
• Rich preparations: Fried shrimp, buttery shrimp, and shrimp cooked in oil can be much harder on your cat’s stomach. That’s especially true if your cat has a sensitive stomach or is on a veterinary diet. In those cases, even a treat that looks healthy may not be worth the risk of stomach upset. 
• Seasonings: Garlic and onions are toxic to cats, while salty or spicy seasonings can make shrimp much harder on a cat’s stomach. 

If you do give your cat shrimp, limit their intake—all treats, including shrimp, should make up no more than 10% of their diet. 

For smaller cats, half of one large shrimp once or twice a week is plenty. Larger cats can have one whole shrimp. 

Before sharing shrimp with your cat, take a few extra minutes to prep it safely: 

• Remove the shell and tail. 
• Cook the shrimp thoroughly. Skip butter, oil, sauces, and seasonings. 
• Let it cool completely. 
• Cut it into small pieces. 

If your cat ate too much shrimp, they may end up with stomach upset. 

You might notice: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Belly discomfort 
• Gagging (if a shell or tail was involved) 

Usually, mild stomach upset goes away on its own, but call your veterinarian if: 

• Your cat ate raw shrimp 
• Your cat swallowed shells or tails 
• The shrimp was cooked with garlic, onions, or heavy seasoning 
• Your cat keeps vomiting or seems uncomfortable 

If your cat ate shrimp cooked with garlic, onions, or another risky ingredient and you can’t reach your veterinarian right away, you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) for advice on whether your cat needs emergency care. 

Can cats eat cooked shrimp? 

Yes, cats can eat a small amount of cooked shrimp if it’s unseasoned and served without the shell or tail. 

Can cats eat raw shrimp? 

No, cats should not eat raw shrimp. Raw seafood can expose them to potentially dangerous germs that cooking would normally kill. Some raw shrimp also contain thiaminase, which can lead to thiamine deficiency in cats. 

Is shrimp good for cats? 

Shrimp can be a fine occasional treat for cats, but it isn’t something they need for a healthy diet. A balanced cat food should be their main source of nutrition. 

Can kittens eat shrimp? 

No, kittens shouldn’t eat shrimp. Growing kittens should get their nutrition from complete kitten food, and unusual treats can disrupt their diets. Wait until your cat is about a year old to give them any shrimp.