Is it possible to feed a cat shrimp?

Shrimp is a fairly common food item for humans, but is it good for cats? The answer is simple - yes! Shrimp are very healthy, as they contain many elements that have a good effect on the health of animals. The meat of this seafood contains sodium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and even omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which improve the condition of your pet's blood, joints and immunity.

Can cats eat shrimp?

Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood for humans. Can cats eat shrimp? Quite, because they contain many useful substances that are easily absorbed by the animal body. These are calcium, sodium and potassium, iron and manganese, phosphorus, riboflavin and thiamine. Shrimp meat is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are vital for both humans and cats. They have a positive effect on the blood, joints, and help the body successfully resist infections and inflammation.

Features of choice

Pay attention to color and shape. The tail of a boiled-frozen shrimp is bent. This fact suggests that she was boiled alive. Shrimp heads should not be black. Dark color indicates late processing. Fresh catch is good for 4 hours. Therefore, it is subjected to chemical treatment. This increases shelf life and preserves its presentation. Animals' bodies are sensitive to chemicals. And it is unclear what consequences and after what time may appear.

Can cats eat shrimp?

As for sizes, small representatives are preferable. If you only accept king prawns, then they need to be chopped before serving. The animal simply cannot cope with the impressive crustaceans. Pets are unable to clean their food on their own. Give it in ready-to-use form. Some owners, with good intentions, offer "waste". Supposedly the product is expensive, but at least it gives you some pampering. This is absolutely impossible to do. The shell and heads of shrimp are prohibited; they are not absorbed by the body and can injure the mucous membranes of the mouth. Moreover, they are unlikely to be assimilated.

What else are shrimp good for cats?

Seafood - fish, squid, mussels, shrimp - contains more useful substances than the same chicken. The most important substance, without which no cat can survive, is taurine. This amino acid is essential for the functioning of the cat's sensitive nervous system and brain. Supports heart function, nourishes blood vessels and normalizes immunity. Positively affects visual acuity. Shrimp meat contains taurine in large quantities.

Fluoride and calcium are essential for cats to have strong teeth and bones. Therefore, shrimp is an opportunity to prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, it is a natural remedy for fighting tartar.

Shrimp meat contains practically no carbohydrates - only 20%. Therefore, the calorie content of the healthy product is very small and ranges from 70 to 100 kilocalories per hundred grams. On the contrary, there is a lot of protein, which is what is needed to maintain good cat health.

Vitamins should also be noted. Vitamins A and D are present here, which is extremely important. The main thing is B vitamins and iodine, which normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland. Folic acid can stimulate hematopoiesis, because the production of red blood cells depends on its presence in the body.

Moreover, the smaller the shrimp, the more useful substances accumulate in its meat. Thus, preference should be given to small shrimp.

What kind of shrimp are suitable for a cat?

Frozen shrimp from the supermarket, are they suitable for a pet? This is a question many cat owners ask. Unfortunately no. Since it is a perishable product, manufacturers and traders treat shrimp with various chemicals.

Fungicides are used as a preservative - these are chemicals that are used to combat fungi and mold. Antibiotics are also added, which can remain in the human or animal body for a long time, negatively affecting it. Therefore, there is practically no benefit from such shrimp.

Manufacturers claim that when cooked, these chemical additives break down into components that are safe for human health. If you trust this information, you can eat frozen seafood. However, you should not give your cat shrimp from a cheap supermarket, since cats are very sensitive to various types of chemicals.

Fresh shrimp are the best for animals. However, they can only be purchased at fish markets in sea cities and towns.

Frozen shrimp are suitable only of high quality from those manufacturers that are well known throughout the world.

A good option for those who do not have access to this healthy seafood product is canned food for cats with shrimp. Here we can hope that the animal will receive adequate nutrition in a balanced form .

What harm can shrimp cause?

Shrimp are not a healthy food for daily feeding:

They are high in phosphorus and sodium, but low in calcium, which does not help maintain balance. In neutered cats, such an imbalance can contribute to the formation of calculi (sand, stones) in the bladder and kidneys.
Shrimp are raised on special farms, where they live in pools with very polluted water and high population density. To prevent crustaceans from getting sick, they are “stuffed” with antibiotics, which accumulate in their tissues. And to increase weight, steroids, growth factors and other stimulants are added to the shrimp feed. To brighten the color, crustaceans are stuffed with dyes. All this negatively affects the health of mustachioed striped animals.
Shrimp is a highly perishable product; in order to reduce losses during transportation, the carcasses are pumped with preservatives (for example, very toxic formaldehyde), frozen or treated with other chemicals. The intake of such substances negatively affects the digestive tract of pets.
Shrimp caught in environmentally unfavorable areas may contain harmful substances, including salts of heavy metals and radioactive isotopes. The harm from such products is obvious.
The shell of shrimp is also dangerous, despite the fact that it contains chitin, which is beneficial for joints and bones, wool and claws, the function of the digestive system, metabolism, and allergies. But the sharp edges of the shell can injure the delicate walls of the mouth, esophagus and intestines.

Major health hazard. For modern domestic cats, a product of crossing and selection, seafood can be harmful to the body, since along with new features of body structure, color, and coat quality, animals also inherit numerous breed diseases. If the yard outbred “Murki” and “Vaska” can eat almost anything, then purebred cats need a carefully selected diet. “Human” foods, including shrimp, are harmful to them. Shrimp cause an allergic reaction and are dangerous for animals prone to food allergies.

Is it possible to feed a cat shrimp every day?

You cannot feed your cat shrimp every day due to the protein oversaturation of the product. This is more of a treat than a main dish, which is best served to your pet a couple of times a week.

Shrimp is also suitable for pregnant cats, as it is rich in vitamins and minerals, but also only as a “yummy”.

Cats really love something pleasant to taste, so once they try shrimp, they will beg them from their owner every day. You need to be prepared for this and not spoil your pet. Shrimp cat food should also not be given continuously.

How to cook shrimp?

For cats, shrimp should be boiled separately in clean water, without salt or spices. After all, many spices that people eat can be unfavorable for the health of their pets.

Raw shrimp should never be served. Before cooking, you should clean their digestive tract by first cutting the butterfly-shaped body. You can serve your cat boiled peeled shrimp . The shell should be removed completely, leaving only the meat. Otherwise, you can provoke indigestion and intestinal obstruction. Large specimens should be cut into pieces.

The portion should be small so that the cat does not overeat. After all, animals, when they like something, cannot control satiety.

For a small breed cat, one small shrimp or half a large one will be enough. Large animals, weighing over four kilograms, are given one large shrimp.

How to feed a cat correctly

Owners do not always feed their pets correctly, because they are easily provoked by a cute little face and a demanding “meow”. Mistakes in nutrition lead to digestive problems.

To prevent them, you need to follow several rules:

There should not be any special dishes with an unusual taste in a cat’s diet. No matter how much cat food manufacturers assure us otherwise in their advertising campaigns. The cat should eat a fairly monotonous, but well-balanced diet. This is what happens in nature. She gets used to her diet, and something new always confuses her. Therefore, the cat begins to refuse even its usual food.
It is better to feed a little less than to force him to eat more than he should. A little malnutrition is even beneficial, but obesity is always fraught with serious health consequences.
When a cat very persistently asks for something, for example, a piece of cucumber or carrot, this does not mean at all that it lacks vitamins. He just wants to enjoy himself.
Giving your pet everything he demands, even chocolate or ice cream, is dangerous. You can get seriously poisoned and damage the health of your digestive tract.

Good quality shrimp are an excellent option for animals of any age, but you shouldn’t overuse them. Yes, once upon a time cats lived “in the wild” in villages and towns, ate organic products: fish straight from the river or sea, the same shrimp, and feasted on village dairy products. Now not all city-dwelling cats have access to such luxury. Therefore, feeding a pet today is a serious matter; it should be given enough attention.

What herbs do cats like most?

List of useful plants (except for cases of individual intolerance):

Catnip (catnip). Probably the most favorite plant for cats. It has a calming effect on them, although in the first 10 minutes after eating, pets may show increased activity. Catnip phytohormones act on them as happiness hormones and pheromones. But not all cats react violently to this mint, although in any case it will only bring benefits.
Thyme (thyme). It has a calming effect, like catnip. But if you decide to grow thyme, it is better to plant several bushes at once, because it takes a very long time to grow.
Valerian. This herb is known for helping people calm down and get a good night's sleep. But for cats it works as a stimulant - it makes even fat and lazy cats hyperactive. Cats will definitely dig up the roots of valerian if it grows in your garden.
Lavender. It has a sedative effect not only on us, but also on cats. Safe for animals.
Chamomile. As a tincture or decoction, when applied to the skin, it soothes itching. May also reduce inflammation.

Wheat, oats and barley. They contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements (potassium, magnesium, phosphorus), as well as folic acid. With the help of these herbs, the stomach is well cleansed from lumps of swallowed hair. If your cat does not have the opportunity to eat grass in its natural environment, for example in winter, you can grow it on the windowsill in a few days. Pet stores always have suitable sets of seeds in their assortment.
Peppermint and lemon balm. Cats love almost all types of mint and lemon balm, but they should not get too carried away with eating these plants. Everything is good in moderation, but overeating may cause stomach upset.
Parsley. Rich in potassium and vitamins, in particular A, B and C. If your pet willingly eats it, do not deny him the pleasure.
Carrot tops. Cats love soft and juicy greens, especially if their diet lacks essential vitamins.
Marigold. Not only are they safe for cats, but they are also natural repellents, repelling harmful insects with their scent. Due to their lutein content, their extract is found in many medicated foods, such as Royal Canin Veterinary Diets.
Budra ivy (dog mint). For cats, this is also a source of phytohormones. It acts similarly to catnip and valerian.
Evening primrose. It is a source of healthy unsaturated fatty acids.

Cats vomit a little after eating non-poisonous plants, so they can cleanse their stomachs with the help of grass, there is no need to be afraid of this.

“Tailtails” specifically eat tough grass to remove fur from the gastrointestinal tract by regurgitation. Of course, they have no idea that they are doing this precisely because of the accumulated hairballs. In fact, they first start to feel sick, and then they think about what kind of hard food they can eat to induce vomiting.

Vomiting works as a protective mechanism to remove a foreign object located in the gastrointestinal tract.

And this happens not only because of hairballs, but also because of eating any food or objects that cause discomfort, as well as against the background of any disease. And as a hard object, essentially working like a brush for cleaning, the cat can choose not only grass, but anything: wires, threads, Christmas tree tinsel, and any other small inedible objects. Therefore, it is recommended to grow healthy cat grass (such as wheat, oats or barley) so that your furbaby always has access to it.

Unfortunately, there are many more dangerous plants. Of course, not all pets show interest in them. As a rule, street cats are more selective and do not eat everything. But if your pet rarely goes outside, when going out into nature, he can try literally anything.

Shrimp to cats: can it be given, benefits and harm?

Cat owners often pay little attention to the diet of their furry pets. Great love for a four-legged friend sometimes has a very negative impact on his condition, both physical and psychological. People want to pamper a cat, but in the end they cause irreparable harm to the body.

On the Internet you can come across a lot of advice on how and what to feed your pets. There is often a question about the benefits and harms of shrimp in the diet. Unfortunately, most advice will lead to negative consequences.

Mistakes in feeding your pet

Even experienced breeders and veterinarians have not found a common opinion on the topic of the dangers of shrimp in the diet of pets. Therefore, the owners are confused in their decisions. But we can say with confidence that there will be no benefit from such nutrition. In order to understand the correctness of the choice, it is necessary to clarify what breeders are definitely doing wrong in relation to their pets:

You can't give a cat everything it wants on demand. If you want to pamper an animal, you can poison it.
Heavy feeding is much worse than mild malnutrition. Obesity in a cat is quite difficult.
You should not think that if a pet actively asks for something, it means that it feels a lack of certain vitamins in the body.
There should be no variety in the menu of furry friends. A cat is not a gourmet, as commercials try to instill. She easily gets used to a certain correct diet.

You can often hear the opinion of “Old Believers” that cats in villages used to eat everything, but they were healthy and lived long. It is not difficult to guess that village meat and milk did not contain preservatives. The pets grew up free-range; they had access to the necessary herbs and organic products. Now you should carefully monitor your diet.

How to prevent poisoning

If the cat is domestic and does not walk outside, then preventing poisoning is not difficult:

All chemicals, medications, household chemicals, cosmetics and perfumes must be removed from its access zone. Cabinet doors must have a reliable lock, because some pets can easily open them with their paws.
You need to pay close attention to your diet and avoid purchasing food that is of questionable production or has expired. If your pet is fed natural food, then you need to be selective in your choice of food, and do not leave food in a bowl for a long time;
remove indoor flowers from the house whose leaves and stems are poisonous;
observe the dosage of flea and helminth medications;
Do not self-medicate for any disease.

If your pet is walking outside, it is more difficult to keep track of him. It is advisable to purchase and keep on hand first aid supplies - laxatives, diuretics, vitamins K and D3, activated carbon. You should remember the veterinarian's phone number so that you can contact him immediately.

Is it possible to give shrimp to a cat?

In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand what shrimp is in essence, and what is included in its composition. This seafood contains a huge amount of microelements and vitamins .

It contains a huge amount of protein, but almost no fat. Shrimp meat contains a lot of iodine, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. In addition, the product is rich in vitamins and iron. At first glance, it seems that the benefits of shrimp in the diet are obvious, but this is only on people’s menus.

Of course, protein is also important for the animal’s body, but its amount should be within the normal range . Specialized feeds with shrimp contain the required mass fraction of the product. In addition, it undergoes the necessary heat treatment, during which only suitable minerals and vitamins remain.

Fish products, contrary to popular belief, are not at all healthy for cats. If you are going to pamper your pet with such delicacies, then only seafood ones . It is also not recommended to give raw shrimp, squid and other foods. This can cause allergic reactions, vitamin deficiency or infection with worms.

Since shrimp contain a whole vitamin complex, it is allowed to treat your cat with a boiled product 2-3 times a month. But you cannot use salt, pepper or other spices. Be sure to remove all parts of the shell. The shellfish must be thoroughly cleaned, since this skin contains a huge amount of chitin, which is a real poison for a pet. It is worth knowing about your pet's diseases. So, in case of problems with the genitourinary system, fish and seafood are necessarily excluded from the diet.

Harm and allergies

Despite the enormous benefits of shrimp, they also have properties that do not allow everyone to consume them in large quantities. The presence of tropomyosin in their composition makes the product highly allergenic, that is, allergies can manifest themselves in severe form:

skin rashes;
tingling in the mouth;
disruption of the gastrointestinal tract;
up to anaphylactic shock, accompanied by convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Excessive and regular consumption of shrimp, even in the absence of allergies, negatively affects the organs of vision, the functioning of the digestive system, and contributes to the exacerbation of diseases of the genitourinary system.

It is also worth taking into account the fact that all the benefits of marine life are available only if their wild representatives are consumed. But on store shelves you often find products from shrimp farms.

The danger comes from the various medications used by farmers to maintain health and increase the shrimp population: antibiotics, antiseptics, pesticides.

To avoid causing a serious blow to your dog’s liver, make sure that the packaging says wild or sea caught. If the product is unpackaged, you must take into account that wild crustaceans are not large.

How to properly plan your pet's diet

It is better to entrust such a troublesome task to professionals and opt for high-quality ready-made cat food. In them, manufacturers monitor the balance of all components. Four-legged pets need not only meat rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fats on their menu, but also vegetables, vitamins and microelements.

If breeders prefer home-produced food, then you need to know some subtleties:

Only dietary meat or offal can be given.
Fish, such as halibut, must be cooked; You can pour boiling water over the chicken.
It is not recommended to give pasteurized milk to small kittens. High lactose content will cause indigestion. But natural goat milk is very healthy.
Cabbage, carrots, and pumpkin are desirable in the diet in raw form. But eggplants can lead to death.
It is strictly forbidden to feed cats potatoes. The starch contained in the culture will lead to serious illnesses.

Monitoring your pet's diet is not at all difficult. Cats quickly get used to a certain menu and will happily eat the same foods. Fresh water must be constantly available.

Vegetable menu for your pet

Owners who feed their pets with ready-made diets do not need to create a full menu that includes healthy and necessary ingredients. When feeding naturally, the owner needs to balance the components when choosing foods that can be given to cats. The useful category includes:

Zucchini - goes well with meat ingredients; they can be served raw, boiled or steamed.
Beets - can be given in small quantities, after boiling, chopping and mixing with meat or offal. Large amounts can cause diarrhea in the animal.
Broccoli – a little of this vegetable in your pet’s menu will provide his body with valuable bioflavonoids. But a large dose to a cat is dangerous because broccoli contains the toxin isothiocyanate.
Cauliflower - a cat can be fed this product only after it has been heat treated.
Carrots are rich in vitamins; pets can eat them raw or boiled. Suitable as an addition to almost any dish.
Cucumber - a little raw vegetable will not harm your pet, unless we are talking about a nursing cat or an animal suffering from an intestinal disorder. It is not recommended to give canned and lightly salted cucumbers to cats.
Spinach – finely chopped greens will enrich any dish with valuable microelements.
Pumpkin – 1-2 tbsp. l. It is recommended to add pumpkin puree to your furry pet’s dishes. But it is better to avoid large amounts of this product, since excess fiber in the body can lead to upset of the animal’s digestive tract.

When including vegetables in your pet’s menu, we must not forget that they can make up no more than 20% of the total diet.

Is it possible to give shrimp to a cat?

Is it possible to feed a cat shrimp? On the one hand, it is difficult to refuse when a cat asks to eat shrimp. The question is: is this beneficial for the cat itself, and will shrimp harm its health? At what age can you give shrimp to a cat? Does your cat eat shrimp?

For my cat, shrimp is like a drug. He eats it boiled. I haven’t tried giving them raw. As soon as I take them out to cook, she is already on my heels and looking at me. He wraps his tail around my legs, and sometimes steps on them. Sometimes he starts running back and forth, that is, from the bowl to me and vice versa. But I don’t give her much, because we love her ourselves. I can’t say whether it’s harmful or beneficial, but if it eats, it means the body requires it. But he doesn’t eat chicken at all. If you don’t give too much, it’s unlikely to cause harm to the body. He doesn't eat every day. She started asking for shrimp when she was still 6-7 months old, that is, up to a year, and she still eats them and doesn’t refuse.