Only pet parents with supernatural willpower have never given a bite of their food to their pets. I mean, it’s just a teensy little piece, what harm can it do?.
Read about the pros and cons of giving your dog shrimp to find out if the idea that shrimp is bad for dogs is true or just another myth.
Is Shrimp Paste Safe for Dogs? Let’s Examine the Pros and Cons
As a dog owner who loves Southeast Asian cuisine I occasionally wonder if it’s okay to share some of my shrimp paste with my pup. This salty funky condiment adds tons of flavor to dishes, so it’s natural to be curious if dogs can enjoy it too.
After looking into the science and speaking with veterinarians, it appears shrimp paste does come with some risks for dogs. However, small infrequent amounts may be alright. Here’s what pet owners should know.
What is Shrimp Paste?
Before assessing the effects on dogs, let’s first understand what shrimp paste is. Known as terasi in Indonesia or bagoong in the Philippines, shrimp paste is a key ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking.
It’s made by fermenting small shrimp or krill with salt. This process breaks down proteins into amino acids and peptides, resulting in a very savory umami flavor. The paste left behind after months of fermentation is rich, salty, and cheese-like in scent.
The fermented shrimp paste provides a flavor boost to curries, stir-fries, marinades, dipping sauces, and more in cuisines from Thailand to Malaysia. Now let’s explore the potential pros and cons of this ingredient for canine diets.
Potential Benefits of Shrimp Paste for Dogs
When fed occasionally and in tiny amounts, shrimp paste may offer some nutritional value for dogs:
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Protein: Shrimp paste provides concentrated protein from the shrimp used to make it. This supports muscle maintenance.
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Vitamin B12: Shrimp naturally contain vitamin B12, which may be preserved during fermentation. B12 is important for nerve health.
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Minerals: Shrimp paste likely retains small amounts of minerals like selenium, zinc, and phosphorus from the shrimp. These support immune function, DNA synthesis, and energy production.
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Bioavailability: The fermentation process may make shrimp proteins and nutrients more digestible and bioavailable than regular shrimp.
So in theory, a bit of shrimp paste could supply highly digestible protein, vitamin B12, and trace minerals. But there are also some potential risks to dogs.
Potential Risks of Feeding Dogs Shrimp Paste
While the nutritional profile seems decent, there are also some hazards of feeding shrimp paste to dogs:
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High Sodium: Shrimp paste contains very large amounts of sodium, upwards of 1000mg per 100g. Too much sodium can harm dogs prone to heart issues.
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Allergies: Dogs allergic to shellfish may react to the shrimp proteins in paste with vomiting, diarrhea, or skin irritation.
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Choking Hazard: Despite being smooth and well-mixed, a large lump of shrimp paste could potentially obstruct dogs’ airways.
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Pathogens: Fermentation reduces but does not eliminate all pathogenic bacteria like salmonella. Cooking is required to kill these.
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Pancreatitis: The high fat content may trigger painful pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
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Obesity: Shrimp paste is very calorie dense and could lead to weight gain and obesity when overfed.
Clearly the cons outweigh the pros here. The risks involved make shrimp paste inadvisable as a regular part of a dog’s diet.
Verdict: Shrimp Paste Should Be a Rare Treat for Dogs
Given the potential downsides, the AKC recommends avoiding shellfish products for dogs altogether. The exceptionally high sodium content is problematic, as excess sodium intake is directly linked to heart disease in dogs.
For these reasons, shrimp paste is best limited to only the rarest of occasional treats in tiny amounts, rather than a regular staple food.
However, veterinarians agree that the very occasional lick or taste is unlikely to harm an otherwise healthy dog. As always, monitor your individual dog closely for reactions.
Here are some tips for safely allowing dogs rare tastes of shrimp paste:
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Start with a pea-sized amount and wait a day before giving more to check for allergies.
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Rinse briefly to remove some sodium, or mix a small amount into a larger portion of blander rice or food.
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Never feed dogs raw shrimp paste. Always cook food containing paste thoroughly.
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Avoid giving paste to dogs with heart conditions or prone to obesity. Calculate calories into their intake.
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Supervise closely and never leave paste unattended. Store safely out of reach.
While shrimp paste is not outright toxic to dogs, there are clearly safer and healthier treat options without its strong drawbacks. Used sparingly under supervision, it can add interest, but overall does not equal ideal nutrition for pups.
Healthier Umami-Rich Alternatives for Dogs
If you want to provide a savory umami boost without shrimp paste’s risks, try these healthier options:
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Lightly roasted veggies like carrots or tomatoes
- A spoonful of canned pure pumpkin
- Low sodium beef or chicken broth
- Nutritional yeast seasoning
- Pureed sweet potato seasoned with herbs
These whole foods provide safer ways to add flavor complexity. Experiment with preparation techniques like roasting, grilling, or sautéing to develop tasty flavors.
The Verdict on Shrimp Paste for Dogs
While enticingly savory and flavorful for our palates, shrimp paste carries notable risks like high sodium for canine consumption. Used excessively or regularly, it could endanger dogs’ health and wellbeing.
However, the occasional small taste is unlikely to cause harm, as long as dogs are monitored closely afterward. In moderation, it can provide mental enrichment. But there are healthier everyday options to excite dogs’ taste buds and satisfy their cravings for flavor.
When shared as a rare treat in tiny amounts, shrimp paste can enrich a dog’s culinary world. But pet owners need to be mindful of its limitations as an ingredient for our furry companions. Though perhaps delightful for dogs’ taste buds, it’s best embraced cautiously rather than routinely.
Can dogs eat shrimp tails and shells?
Shells and tails also present a huge risk for canines, especially for small breeds or puppies. Yes, I know a lot of pet owners say, “My dog ate shrimp tails and is fine!” but that doesn’t mean your dog will be one of the lucky ones who wasn’t hurt.
Dogs shouldn’t eat shrimp shells and tails because they can choke on them and make a mess in their intestines. Shrimp tails and shells are made of chitosan, a substance that is hard to digest. They are also very brittle and sharp, which makes them easy to get stuck in the digestive tract or puncture the intestine wall.
Stop Googling – Ask a Real Vet
Shrimp is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fats have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and inflammation. However, shrimp contains more cholesterol than other types of seafood — around 190 mg per 100 g. If your pup is overweight or diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, it’s best to avoid cholesterol-rich food.
Also, keep in mind that farm-raised shrimp can have up to 700 mg of sodium per 100 g, while wild-caught frozen shrimp only has 100 mg. This is important if your dog has high blood pressure, heart problems, or kidney problems that need you to watch how much sodium they eat. In terms of sodium content, this means you should choose frozen shrimp that was caught in the wild over fresh shrimp that was raised on a farm.
On top of that, shrimp can cause an allergic reaction, or block your dog’s intestines.
All things considered, the risks of feeding shrimp to dogs outweigh all the benefits. If your dog is not allergic to shellfish, though, and you really want to give them shrimp, make sure you do what you need to do. Shrimp should be thoroughly cooked, deveined, shelled, and given only as a tiny portion.
Some dogs don’t mind eating shrimp, but many others have suffered needlessly because they love fish, so think twice before giving your dog a prawn cocktail.
Because there are risks when dogs ingest shrimp, this may lead to a pet emergency. In fact, dogs may be prone to a number of emergencies over the course of their lives, including ingesting poison and getting seriously hurt. With that in mind, knowing that our pets will get the right care in an emergency without breaking the bank can literally save their lives. Petcube’s Pet Emergency Fund may help with this.
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Can Dogs Eat Shrimp? All You Need to Know!
FAQ
Is it OK for dogs to eat shrimp?
Is shrimp broth good for dogs?
Is crab paste good for dogs?
Is shrimp cocktail good for dogs?
Is shrimp safe for dogs to eat?
Shrimp is safe for dogs to eat, according to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. They’re a healthy, protein-packed food, but should always be served fully cooked and without the shell.
Can dogs eat shrimp scampi?
Shrimp scampi is not a good snack for dogs because of the garlic, which is toxic to dogs, and the butter, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and pancreatitis (painful and life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas). Shrimp prepared for shrimp cocktail is safe for dogs, but skip the cocktail sauce! Can Dogs Eat Fried Shrimp?
Can dogs eat shrimp if they have high cholesterol?
Compared to skinless chicken breast, shrimp has about 25% as much fat, but 150% as much cholesterol. Although high cholesterol is uncommon in dogs, and is generally an indication of another health issue, such as diabetes, it’s good to know that shrimp could become a contributing factor if your dog ever develops high cholesterol.
What kind of seafood can dogs eat?
When it comes to seafood that’s beneficial for dogs to eat, shrimp is a great option. First of all, it’s very high in vitamin B12, which is excellent for soothing stomach issues your pooch might be suffering from. Shrimp also contains a lot of niacin, which can assist with your dog’s fat and energy production along with improving blood circulation.