Can dog Eat Shrimp? Shrimps are a delicious addition to your own dog meal. Have you ever wondered if it is safe to share shrimp with your dog?
Although it is okay for your dog to eat shrimp, you must be careful what shrimp you buy.
Many of them are full of very dangerous chemicals in the market.
I’ll talk more about this, first, let’s look at why shrimp (and shrimp tails) are good for your puppy.
1. Shrimp is a good source of glucosamine
Glucosamine is considered an amino sugar made from glutamine in combination with glucose. It helps to form and repair cartilage for better joint health.
Cartilage bone is a connective tissue that acts as a cushion between multiple bones to absorb shock.
Dogs naturally produce glucosamine. But as they get older their bodies become less productive. This reduces shock absorption and causes the joints to harden.
Adding glucosamine to your dog’s diet improves mobility.
Shrimp shells (including tails) are a great source of glucosamine.
2. Shrimp are packed with antioxidants
Have you ever wondered why shrimp turns into pink color when cooked?
When heated, astaxanthin which is in-built inside the shrimp is released.
Astaxanthin is a red pigment that turns predatory animals into pink… flamingos, salmon, lobster, and shrimp.
Also Read: Dogs with Pink Noses: why do dogs have pink noses?
But it does not add a little color to our world. Astaxanthin is also a powerful antioxidant.
This means it can fight free radicals that damage your dog’s cells, proteins, and DNA and can lead to:
- Cancer
- Premature aging
- Chronic diseases
Astaxanthin also found in shrimp:
- Reduces inflammation and pain for better joint health.
- Increases immunity.
- Provides essential nutrients beyond the blood-brain barrier.
- Reduces conditions such as the dry eye.
- Lowers C-reactive protein (CRP) in the body is a sign of inflammation and heart disease.
3. Shrimp contain taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that helps:
- Heart
- Eyes
- Brain System
- Immune system
Like glucosamine, dogs can create their own taurine. But adding taurine to their diet can reduce your dog’s risk of dilated cardiomyopathy and blindness. Especially with age.
It acts as a regulator for nerve impulses, which can protect against epilepsy.
Shrimp is a great source of taurine. On average, shrimp contains 48 milligrams of taurine.
4. Shrimp contain a lot of vitamins & minerals
Shrimp live in mineral-rich water. This means they are packed with nutrients that will help your dog live a healthier life.
- D3 for immune function and cancer prevention
- B12 for gastrointestinal health
- B3 (niacin) for energy production, blood circulation, and enzyme function
- Phosphorus for healing
What kind of shrimp is safe for dogs?
While shrimp offer tons of benefits, most shrimp are agro-farmed. This means they are full of:
- Antibiotics
- Pesticides
- Pesticides
That’s why you should always make sure to buy wild shrimp from a reliable source.
The problem is that the packaging for seafood products is very unreliable.
Although changes have been proposed to improve labeling, there are still concerns about whether this information will be as reliable.
So, if your shrimp are not 100% positive from where they came from or if they are not wild and farmed, then
Choose a different treat to share with your furry friend.
How to feed shrimp to your dog?
Are you confident that your shrimp are wild and free of harmful chemicals? Then shrimp is a great occasional treat for your dog.
The best way to serve shrimp is raw. As with many foods, heating the shrimp will reduce the number of nutrients available to your dog.
To benefit from the added glucosamine, serve the shrimp with shells. Or share shrimp tails from your own meal. But keep in mind some additives like salt and some spices are not good for your dog.
You can make a glucosamine-rich broth by drying the shrimp shells in water for a few hours.
Can dogs eat raw shrimp?
Raw, uncooked shellfish contain harmful pathogens that can be easily prevented by cooking the shrimp before feeding it to your dog.
It is also advisable to remove the shell completely, as making shrimp shells can cause breakage and obstruction, especially in small dog breeds.
Boiled shrimp are the best shrimp for dogs because fried or breaded shrimp contain unwanted fats and oils that are harmful.
The Good and Bad About Feeding Shrimp to Dogs
[wptb id="1477" not found ]Good alternatives to shrimp
Seafood, in general, is one of the most dangerous food groups for dogs – unlike allergens and toxins, there is always a risk of choking and internal injuries from fish bones or shells.
If you are looking for healthy, protein-rich dinners for your pooch who loves to eat seafood, there are many alternatives to shellfish. Here are some dog-friendly foods that your furball enjoys:
Sardines: These small fish are small, inexpensive and high in nutrients, and are an excellent source of protein and omega-3.
Salmon: Boneless and fully cooked. Great treat for healthy and tasty, cooked salmon dogs!
Green Lip Muscles: Filled with essential fatty acids and glycosaminoglycans, these New Zealand mussels have been praised by canine experts for their pain-reducing properties in dogs with arthritis.
Of course, there are store-bought goodies and many other nutritious treat options for home-cooked delicacies based on vegetables or meat. It all depends on how well accustomed your pet’s refined palate is!
Follow the above given simple rules and your dog can benefit from all the goodness that shrimp has to offer.
