Shrimp is a rather delicious go-to food for everyone at a black-tie event or a backyard barbecue. Just like other seafood, it tastes delightful with the right dips and sauces. But when you have the sweetest German Shepherd as your pet, don’t you wonder if he can have the same juicy taste? We all want the best for our pets, and when it’s about tasty treats, we cannot overlook shrimps!
Let’s find out if German Shepherds can eat shrimp or not!
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Can German Shepherds Eat Shrimps?
Yes, German shepherd can absolutely eat shrimp! It’s high in nutrition like Phosphorus, vitamins b12, and b3. A rich protein source like shrimp is a great energy inducer for your pet. However, just because you know you can feed them shrimp, doesn’t mean you should! At least, not the raw ones.
You cannot feed shrimp directly as it comes with shells, so how to feed it safely? You’ll find the proper way to feed shrimp to your German shepherd later in this article. First, let’s look at a few of the many reasons why you should consider feeding shrimp to your pet!
Benefits of Eating Shrimp for your German Shepherd
Shrimp is rich in proteins, and is an excellent source of Cobalamin and Niacin, providing better gastrointestinal health and enzyme function. Just like that, it gives plenty of health benefits for dogs. Let’s look at a few of the many nutritional qualities that make shrimps a great treat!
A source of glucosamine
Glucosamine amino sugar is made from glucose and glutamine, which helps repair cartilage in dogs. It improves joint bone health and acts as a cushioned connective tissue to absorb shock between multiple bones.
The strange part is that body of a dog naturally produces glucosamine, but its production decrease as they get older. That’s the reason their joints become hard with time. With a glucosamine-rich diet, your German shepherd is less likely to face mobility issues in the future. And shrimp is undeniably the best source of glucosamine you can have for your dog.
Packed with antioxidants
You must have noticed a shrimp turn pink in color while it’s cooked. What’s that all about ever wondered? A red pigment called astaxanthin present in shrimp is released when heated. All the other red-turning animals like lobster, flamingos, and Salmon have this pigment in them.
Other than the coloring, it is also a potent antioxidant. That means it has the potential to fight the free radicals which can damage the DNA proteins for other cells in your German shepherd, leading to-
- Chronic illnesses
- Cancer
- Premature aging
Shrimp has taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid that improves dog health in multiple ways! It helps strengthen the immune system, brain function, heart, and eye health!
Just like glucosamine, dogs are capable of producing taurine. However, if you add shrimp to their diet, it will reduce the risk of blindness or dilated cardiomyopathy with growing age.
It regulates nerve impulses and helps protect epilepsy. On average, a shrimp provides 48 mg of taurine which is still better than most sources
Shrimp is rich in vitamins & mineral
Shrimps thrive in mineral-rich water, meaning they are constantly intaking minerals! This is how those minerals are good for your German Shepherd-
- It helps prevent cancer and immune function through vitamin D3.
- Improve gastrointestinal health by supplementing enough Cobalamin.
- It has B3, which helps increase energy, improve enzyme function and blood circulation in dogs.
Risks of Feeding Shrimp To German Shepherd
Raw shellfish contain abundant intestinal parasites which can cause serious infections. If your dog takes a couple of raw shrimp, you might see the symptoms of intestinal parasites like-
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Distended abdomen
- Vomiting
These are clear indications of intestinal irritation due to shrimp shells. In such a case, seek help from your vet immediately.
Shrimp posses cholesterol risk
Shrimps are low-fat food but surprisingly high in cholesterol. It typically contains 25% more fat and 150% more cholesterol than skinless chicken breast. High cholesterol is uncommon in dogs; still, if shrimp contributes to it, you better stay careful. If your dog has a condition that can get worse because of high cholesterol, you might want to skip shrimp for good.
Which kind of shrimp can a German Sheperd eat?
With abundant types of shrimps available, knowing which one is suitable for your dog is the first step, to begin with. Mostly agrofarm shrimps contain harmful chemicals like pesticides and antibiotics. That’s why it is always recommended to get wild shrimp from a reliable source with hygienic packaging.
How to feed shrimp to your German Shepherd?
Although some might prefer raw form to intake maximum nutrition still, you should avoid feeding it raw to your dog as it might contain harmful bacteria. Heating the shrimp would kill some percentage of nutrients, but also, it would kill the harmful parasites. It’s better not to take a risk and cook it thoroughly before feeding.
You can feed shrimp to your German shepherd as a Special treat or a snack, or as an Ingredient in dry or canned food.
The freeze-dried shrimp is the most convenient and delicious way to feed it to your dog. They have an appealing scent and soft texture, which would melt right away in your dog’s mouth! You can also opt for shrimp-flavored food in the market to see how they react to that taste before giving them the real treat.
Preparing Shrimp For Your German Shepherd
- Consider the amount
The first step in preparing shrimp is to know how much you are going to feed. Make sure you don’t include it in every other meal of your German shepherd and only keep it an occasional treat.
- Cook it thoroughly
Cook it well before you serve. Feeding raw shrimp German shepherd is a big no because of the harmful pathogens over its shell. You need to boil or steam the shrimp at least to ensure it is safe and rid of the harmful bacterias.
- Peel it off
The shell and head of the shrimp can lodge in your dog’s throat and cause choking injury. Also, these parts are really hard to digest and might give serious stomach issues. Make sure you peel it off and make it safe to eat.
- Monitor allergic reactions
Rarely a dog ever catches a shrimp allergy. However, that doesn’t mean your German shepherd is off the list. You need to notice your dog’s reaction when he eats shrimp for the first time. You might see symptoms like excessive scratching, swelling over legs, joints, and face, paw licking, or an upset stomach. Any of these symptoms will indicate your dog is allergic to shrimp and needs the vet’s help immediately.
Hom much is the too much.
Anything beyond moderation can get harmful. If you want all the benefits of the shrimps for your dog, you better be fed in limit. German Shepherd has different flavor choices and may act differently to shrimp. Initially, it would be enough to provide one or two shrimps in a day.
If you want to add more shrimp to your dog’s daily diet, you must seek a professional opinion. Or you can start feeding one or two pieces initially and observe the reaction. If you see any discomfort in your dog’s behavior, discontinue feeding shrimp.
Summing Up,
So, can your German shepherd eat shrimp? Absolutely! Although it is an excellent source of nutrients, you should follow the precautions to keep your pet safe. Just remember-
- Remove the shells of a raw shrimp
- The best form to feed shrimp is in the boiled or steamed way
- If you cook, avoid adding too much oil or spices
- Don’t feed shrimp if your dog can’t handle high cholesterol
Considering shrimp is not very harmful and provides a lot more benefits, you should feed it to your German shepherd unless he’s allergic! Make sure you follow these simple tips so that your German Shepherd gets full benefits from its nutrients.