Can Dogs Eat Shrimp? Cooked, Raw and Shells

Yes, dogs can eat plain, fully cooked shrimp with the shell, tail and vein removed. Avoid raw shrimp, garlic- or butter-seasoned shrimp, fried and breaded shrimp, shrimp chips and sauces, and skip it if your dog has a shellfish or food allergy. Offer it as an occasional treat, not a daily food.

Shrimp is lean, high in protein and low in calories, which makes it a tempting treat. It's also a food where the preparation determines the safety: cooked plain shrimp is fine, while raw, seasoned or shell-on shrimp is a problem. Check other foods in our food safety checker.

Is shrimp good for dogs?

Cooked shrimp has about 99 kcal per 100 g, with roughly 24 g of protein and under 1 g of fat. It also provides:

• Vitamin B12 and niacin, involved in energy metabolism and nerve function.
• Phosphorus and selenium.
• Small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Antioxidants such as astaxanthin, the pigment that turns cooked shrimp pink.

Shrimp is also relatively high in cholesterol and, when prepared with salt or brine, in sodium. Dogs handle dietary cholesterol differently from people, so it's less of a concern, but fat and salt from preparation are. Shrimp isn't necessary on a complete and balanced diet.

Cooked vs raw shrimp

• Cooked plain (boiled, steamed or grilled with no oil, salt, garlic, onion or spices): the only form to offer.
• Raw: avoid. Raw shrimp can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and Vibrio, and handling it raises cross-contamination risks in your kitchen.
• Breaded, fried, tempura, scampi, cocktail shrimp with sauce, and shrimp in curry or stir-fry: avoid. Fat, salt, garlic, onion and spices are all problems.
• Canned or pre-cooked shrimp in brine: very salty. Rinse thoroughly or choose a different treat.

Shells, tails and veins

Shells and tails are sharp and hard to digest. They can cause choking, mouth irritation, vomiting and, in small dogs, a blockage. Remove the shell and tail completely. The dark vein running along the back (the digestive tract) is also best removed for hygiene.

How much shrimp can a dog eat?

Treats should stay around 10% of daily calories. A medium cooked shrimp (about 7 g) is roughly 7 kcal.

Offer a couple of times a week at most, and start with a single piece.

Worked example

Meet Scout, a neutered 15 kg (33 lb) dog.

1. RER: 70 × 15^0.75 = 70 × 7.62 = about 534 kcal.
2. Daily calories at 1.6 × RER: about 855 kcal.
3. Treat allowance at 10%: about 85 kcal.
4. Three medium cooked shrimp (about 21 g): 21 × 0.99 = about 21 kcal.
5. Result: about a quarter of his treat allowance, leaving about 64 kcal for other treats.

For a 4 kg toy dog with a treat allowance of about 27 kcal, a single medium shrimp would use about a quarter of it. Use the dog calorie calculator to set your own dog's allowance.

Shellfish allergy and food sensitivity

Shellfish allergy can occur in dogs. Try a single small piece first and watch for:

• Itching, hives or red skin
• Swelling of the face or muzzle
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Ear problems or paw licking

Face swelling or trouble breathing needs emergency care.

Serving ideas

1. Plain boiled shrimp, chopped small as a training reward.
2. A piece mixed into regular food as a topper.
3. Shrimp in a lick mat with a little mashed pumpkin.

If you're using shrimp in homemade dog meals, check with a veterinary nutritionist to make sure the diet is balanced.

Who should be careful?

• Dogs with pancreatitis or high blood fat: even lean shrimp should be discussed with your vet.
• Dogs with kidney or heart disease: sodium and phosphorus matter.
• Dogs with food allergies: shrimp can be an allergen.
• Puppies: a tiny piece is fine, but avoid making it routine.

When to call your vet

Call your vet if your dog ate raw or seasoned shrimp, swallowed shells, or shows vomiting, diarrhea longer than a day, belly pain, lethargy or allergic signs. Call urgently for swelling of the face or trouble breathing. If the shrimp dish contained onion, garlic or xylitol, contact poison control: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661.