Can cats eat shrimp?
Plain cooked shrimp can be an occasional treat – iCatCare even lists shrimp blended in water as a way to get cats to drink more. Don’t feed them raw: uncooked meat and fish can carry germs and parasites (Cats Protection, Cornell).
How to serve it: fully cooked, peeled, no head or tail, unseasoned
Good to know: Pan-fried shrimp is often cooked with garlic, which is toxic to cats (ASPCA).
How much is okay
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. Enter your cat’s weight:
Shrimp
up to 0.86 oz a day
24 g
10% of 241 kcal a day, for a spayed or neutered cat with normal activity. If your cat gets other treats too, give less.
Questions
What amount of shrimp is okay for my cat?
All treats together: at most 10% of daily calories. For a spayed or neutered cat with normal activity weighing 9 lb, that’s up to 0.86 oz (24 g) a day. Work out the amount for your cat above.
Can dogs eat shrimp?
Yes, but only a little. One or two plain, fully cooked, peeled shrimp are enough for most dogs, and small dogs get just part of one (AKC). Raw shellfish can carry harmful germs, and shrimp are high in cholesterol (AKC).
Sources
- International Cat Care – How to encourage your cat to drink
- Cats Protection – Cats and human foods
- Cornell Feline Health Center – Feeding Your Cat
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control – People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Nutrition data: USDA FoodData Central (99 kcal per 100 g)
Last checked: October 2026