Can Cats Eat Shrimp Shells? (Yes & Feeding Procedure)
I was writing the shrimp tails and searching google to gather more information. I found out that people also asking a lot in different forums that can cats eat shrimp shells or not. So, I thought to include this in my article so that people will get to know about it.
Yes, cats can eat shrimp shells if they are cooked and broken down into smaller pieces. Shrimp shells contain chitin, which is a type of fiber that can help with digestion.
In this blog post I’ll share everything you need to know about feeding your cat shrimp, including the benefits and risks, as well as some helpful tips.
The Nutritional Value of Shrimp Shells
It was very hard for me to find actual nutritional values for shrimp shells. To dig out actual numbers, I had to contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here’s what they told me:
1. Protein and Fat (not including the meat)
Did you know that shrimp shells are mostly composed of protein and fat? In fact, they’re about 60% protein and 40% fat. This is a higher ratio of protein to fat than even lean beef!
One statistics website I found (Statista) claims that shrimp shells contain about 18% protein and 2% fat. This is a bit lower than the USDA’s estimation, but it’s still a high protein, low fat food.
2. Chitin (a type of fiber)
Chitin is a type of carbohydrate that’s found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans. It’s also found in the cell walls of fungi. Chitin is indigestible by humans, but it can be broken down and used as a source of energy by some animals.
Shrimp shells are about 10% chitin. This means that they’re a good source of this indigestible carbohydrate.
3. Minerals (including calcium, phosphorus, and iron)
Shrimp shells are also a good source of minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and sodium. Calcium is necessary for strong bones and teeth, while phosphorus is necessary for cell growth and energy production. Sodium is needed for proper fluid balance in the body.
4. Vitamins (including vitamin A and vitamin E)
Shrimp shells also contain small amounts of vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Vitamin A is necessary for vision and immunity, while vitamin C is needed for wound healing and collagen production. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect cells from damage.
5. Other Nutrients (including omega-3 fatty acids and astaxanthin)
Shrimp shells also contain small amounts of other nutrients, including amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and iodine. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, while omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for heart health. Iodine is necessary for proper thyroid function.
How to Feed your Cat Shrimp Shells?
If you already convinced and want to feed your cat shrimp shells, then you should know the proper way of feeding them.
1. Start slowly (one shrimp shell per day)
If you know me, you know that I’m a big proponent of starting slowly when introducing new foods to your cat. This is especially true for foods that may be hard to digest, like shrimp shells.
When introducing shrimp shells to your cat, start with just one per day. If your cat tolerates this well, you can gradually increase the amount over time.
2. Cook the shrimp shells before feeding (to make them easier to digest)
I know I said that shrimp shells are a good source of chitin, which is indigestible by humans. However, this doesn’t mean that cats can digest them raw. In fact, it’s best to cook the shrimp shells before feeding them to your cat.
This will make them softer and easier to digest. You can steam or boil the shrimp shells for a few minutes before feeding them to your cat.
3. Remove the meat from the shrimp shells (to avoid overeating)
When you’re cooking shrimp shells for your cat, be sure to remove the meat from the shells first. This will help to prevent your cat from overeating and becoming overweight.
To make sure your cat doesn’t miss out on the nutritional benefits of shrimp, you can add the cooked meat to their food or feed it to them as a treat.
4. Feed the shrimp shells as a supplement (not a complete meal)
Shrimp shells should not be fed as a complete meal. They should only be fed as a supplement, in addition to your cat’s regular diet. This is because shrimp shells are low in calories and nutrients like fat and vitamin A.
If you’re looking for a complete and balanced diet for your cat, I recommend feeding them a high-quality commercial diet or homemade diet that’s designed for cats.
5. Store the shrimp shells properly (to prevent spoilage)
Once you’ve cooked the shrimp shells, be sure to store them properly. This will help to prevent them from spoiling and becoming contaminated with bacteria.
Cooked shrimp shells can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months.
When feeding shrimp shells to your cat, be sure to throw away any that are left over after each meal. Do not reuse them.
Risks Associated with Feeding Cats Shrimp Shells
As I said yes, cats can eat shrimp shells if they are cooked and broken down into smaller pieces. But, there are some risks associated with feeding them to your cat.
Here I’ll try to list all of the potential risks I could find, so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to feed your cat shrimp shells.
1. Allergies (in both humans and animals)
Shrimp is one of the most common food allergies in both humans and animals. Symptoms of a shrimp allergy can include itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If your cat is allergic to shrimp, they may have a reaction if they eat shrimp shells.
2. Digestive Issues (mostly in kittens)
Shrimp shells are indigestible by humans, but some animals (including cats) can digest them. However, there’s a risk that your cat could experience digestive issues if they eat too many shrimp shells. Symptoms of digestive issues can include vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
3. Choking Hazard (especially for kittens)
Shrimp shells can be a choking hazard for cats, especially if they’re not broken down into small enough pieces. Make sure to chop or grind the shrimp shells into small pieces before feeding them to your cat.
4. Intestinal Obstruction (a potentially life-threatening condition)
Shrimp shells can also cause an intestinal obstruction if they’re not broken down into small enough pieces. Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction can include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
5. Allium Poisoning (due to over-consumption)
Allium poisoning is a potential risk if your cat eats too many shrimp shells. Allium is a type of onion that can be toxic to cats. Symptoms of allium poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. If your cat experiences any of these symptoms, they should see a veterinarian right away.
Tips for Preparing and Serving Shrimp Shells for your Cat
I got it from a couple different sources, but the general consensus seems to be that you should:
1. Cook the shrimp shells until they’re soft
Did I mention that you should cook the shrimp shells before feeding them to your cat? I’m sure I did, but it bears repeating. You should cook the shrimp shells until they’re soft, to make them easier for your cat to digest.
2. Remove the hard parts of the shrimp shell
After cooking the shrimp shells, you should remove the hard parts of the shell. The hard parts of the shell can be a choking hazard for cats. To remove the hard parts of the shell, simply peel them off with your fingers or use a fork.
3. Chop or grind the shrimp shells into small pieces
After cooking and removing the hard parts of the shell, you should chop or grind the shrimp shells into small pieces. This will help to prevent choking and digestive issues.
4. Add the shrimp shells to your cat’s food
Once the shrimp shells are cooked and chopped or ground into small pieces, you can add them to your cat’s food. You can mix them in with their regular food, or you can feed them as a treat.
5. Store leftover shrimp shells in the fridge or freezer
I know I’m going repetitive here, but it’s important to mention that you should store leftover shrimp shells in the fridge or freezer. This will help to prevent them from going bad.
Recipes for Homemade Cat Food with Shrimp Shells
Once I visited a couple of pet stores and did some research online, I found a few recipes for homemade cat food that includes shrimp shells. Here are a couple of the recipes I found:
#1. Shrimp and Salmon Cat Food
This recipe is for a homemade cat food that includes shrimp shells, salmon, and vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked shrimp shells
- 1/2 cup cooked salmon
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix together cooked shrimp shells, cooked salmon, whole wheat flour, and water.
- Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Let cool before serving to your cat.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
#2. Shrimp, Chicken, and Brown Rice Cat Food
Another recipe I found was for a homemade cat food that includes shrimp shells, chicken, and brown rice.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cooked shrimp shells
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup brown rice
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, mix together cooked shrimp shells, cooked chicken, brown rice, and water.
- Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Let cool before serving to your cat.
Final Thoughts
I hope you are now well known guy who gives the shrimp shell to his cat. I think it’s a good idea to give shrimp shells to your cat if they are cooked properly and given in moderation. Shrimp shells are a good source of calcium, and they can help to keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy.
Just be sure to cook the shrimp shells before feeding them to your cat, and remove the hard parts of the shell. You should also chop or grind the shrimp shells into small pieces before adding them to your cat’s food. If you have any leftovers, be sure to store them in the fridge or freezer.
Do you give shrimp shells to your cat? Let me know in the comments below!
