digestive problems<\/a>, nasal congestion, or skin reactions. It\u2019s also possible to have an anaphylactic reaction to eating shrimp. This can lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and even be fatal unless it is treated immediately.<\/p>\nCan Cats Have Prawns?<\/h2>\n
Yes, cats can safely eat prawns and shrimp. If you have shrimp or prawns in your kitchen, your cat may be very interested in them and want to try a sample. The best shrimp or prawns for your cat would be fresh and wild-caught.<\/p>\n
There is some debate about whether you should give your cat raw shrimp. Some experts say that cats can eat raw shrimp, as long as you de-vein the shrimp. Others say that you should also remove the shell \u2013 though some claim that the fragile shell is all right for cats to eat. Raw shrimp can carry traces of antibiotics, fungicides, or other chemicals, especially if the fish has been farm-raised. These issues should be less of a concern is you have wild-caught shrimp or prawns.<\/p>\n
Cooked shrimp or prawns is generally safest for your cat. Make sure that you do not use any oils or seasonings when preparing the seafood. Again, experts disagree about whether you should allow your cat to eat the shells but they do agree that all shrimp should be de-veined. The dark vein in the shrimp is its alimentary canal. It contains the last food that the shrimp or prawn was digesting. There is no need for your cat to eat that fecal material.<\/p>\n
Are There Risks with Giving Your Cat Prawns?<\/h2>\n
There can be risks with giving your cat prawns or shrimp. As already mentioned, some cats can be allergic to certain seafood, including shrimp and prawns. If you observe your cat having any problems after eating shrimp, see your veterinarian immediately.<\/p>\n
You should also not use shrimp or prawns as a meal replacement. Shrimp and prawns are high in sodium and cholesterol so they should only be given to your cat in moderation.<\/p>\n
Only give your cat plain shrimp or prawns. Spices, oil, and salt are out. Boil or steam these crustaceans for safety reasons. Make sure that you wash them before cooking.<\/p>\n
Too much oil, fat, or seasoning can lead to pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset in cats that aren\u2019t used to eating shrimp and prawns. That means no butter!<\/p>\n
Raw shrimp can contain bacteria that can infect cats (and you) such as E. Coli<\/em>, Salmonella<\/em>, Listeria<\/em>, and other things that can lead to infections.<\/p>\nIf your cat eats the shells and tails, there is a risk of choking or even constipation.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible for any food to cause digestive upset in a cat for one reason or another. If your cat is having problems, call your veterinarian right away.<\/p>\n
How Many Prawns Can You Give Your Cat?<\/h2>\n
As already mentioned, you shouldn\u2019t use shrimp or prawns as a replacement meal. Use them as a treat or reward instead. You can offer a small amount to your cat unseasoned and de-veined. One-half of a large shrimp should be enough for a small cat; one large shrimp or prawn would be enough for a large cat.<\/p>\n
How Often Can You Give Your Cat Prawns?<\/h2>\n
You should not give your cat prawns or shrimp too often. If you share a delicious prawn with your cat too often it could cause him to stop eating his normal food and start begging for special items. Once or twice per week would be often enough to let your cat enjoy a prawn.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/h3>\n
Prawns and shrimp are high in protein and low in calories. Many cats love them. The safest way for your cat to enjoy a prawn is to wash it, remove the shell, and de-vein it, then cook it. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, call your veterinarian right away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cats have a reputation for loving seafood. For most cats, the reputation is well-deserved. Offer your cat a prawn or shrimp and he will likely go for it eagerly! But, should you feed your cat prawns? Can cats eat prawns safely? The answer is yes but there are a few things you should know before […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":535945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[479],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535944"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=535944"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/535944\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/535945"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=535944"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=535944"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.petfriendlyhouse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=535944"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}