Can Dogs Eat Prawns and Shrimps? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Most dogs are fine with eating prawns and shrimps as long as it’s in moderation. The main exception is if the dog has any sort of shellfish allergy. For dogs that don’t have allergies to prawn, there are certain safety precautions to account for before you let your dog eat a piece of prawn.

What will happen if dogs eat prawn?

Nothing bad should happen as long as the prawn is thoroughly cooked and it hasn’t been cooked with any ingredients that are toxic or unhealthy for dogs. Garlic, for example, is an ingredient that is used in many prawn dishes but it is an absolute no-no for dogs because of its toxic elements. You must only let your dog eat plain prawns that have been cooked via methods such as boiling or baking. Fried prawns aren’t recommended due to the fat content from the cooking oil.

Are dogs allergic to prawn?

Yes, just like us, dogs can be allergic to seafood such as prawn. Allergy is not something you shouldn’t consider lightly. Dogs that suffer from prawn or shrimp allergy may show symptoms ranging from mild to serious. In serious cases, dogs may suffer from anaphylaxis and show symptoms such as shock and difficulty in breathing. This is why you need to be careful whenever you are introducing a “human food” to dogs for the first time.

How many prawns can a dog eat?

This will differ for every pet. As a general rule of thumb, we wouldn’t offer more than one or two prawns. Smaller-sized dogs may be fine with a partial amount of shrimp. Prawn shells could become a choking hazard so it’s best that you peel up the prawn first.

You can learn more about what other seafood is or isn’t safe for dogs to eat by visiting our list of human foods for dogs. The information we share above would be similar to other crustaceans like lobster and crab.