Food queries of cats are a topic that will never go old and will always retain its relevance in the cat world.
I went through different queries that cat parents were putting down on the internet and wanted to know the answers of.
That intrigued me to a personal level and I thought of why not answer these questions all at once.
There is a saying that goes by “If you really want to see the intensity of the world, see the eyes of a cat”. For me, it spoke in high volumes.
Today, I have brought such a topic for you that is universally inseminated and usually filled with many contradictions that never cultivate into something.
You guessed that right, it’s about prawns. To answer the very first thought that might have strike your head,
Yes, cats can have prawns but only as a treat as it doesn’t have any properties to balance out the nutrients that cats require to have in their daily intake.
I hope you continue reading to know the best.
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Can Cats Eat Prawns?
Yes, cats can eat prawn shells, but It shouldn’t be a staple food.
Even though prawn shells can be fed to your cat but it should be brought to you that It doesn’t possess any essential nutrients that a feline needs to balance out other nutrients of their diet.
Prawns are healthy, low in fat, and can be given to your cat, but the thing to keep in mind is that it shouldn’t be a staple food in your feline’s diet and be only be given as a treat.
Prawns are also not a good choice for your cat if it’s on a low-protein diet. Feeding your cat only seafood also can be harmful and lead to many deficiencies.
If you are wanting to add prawns as the only food, then I should break this to your that it is not everything that will be able to sustain your cat in the most healthy way. It does have some nutrients but don’t rely on it as a whole.
Can Cats Eat Frozen Prawns?
Frozen prawns can be given to your cat but in moderation.
When I say prawns can be given to your cats, most of you thought of frozen prawns. To clear that out, frozen prawns can be given to your cats but the thing that should be crystal clear is that cats usually don’t like to have cold food because the scent and smell of the food Are gone in the process of freezing the food.
In some cases, it also has become a reason for vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
Also, Try to give prawns in their natural form and not by adding any preservatives or additives to make them more appealing as doing so will extract most of the nutrients that your feline could have had.
The key here that works for good health is to only give prawns once in a weak and not extend this table for long. Keep prawns as an addition to their diets and not the whole diet.
Can Cats Eat Uncooked Prawns?
Yes, cats can be given uncooked or raw prawns.
When I say raw prawns can be given to cats, I am also pointing out the possibility of it being full of parasites that can affect your cat in worse ways. But I am also not denying that giving it in its natural or raw form will keep the nutrients intact.
Raw prawns contain a high amount of taurine, an amino acid that is important in the metabolism of cats. raw prawns also contain healthy enzymes and are rich in proteins.
After mentioning the benefits, it’s time to unfold the other side of the coin too, that is side effects of prawn which are mentioned thoroughly below.
1.High In Cholesterol
It is high in cholesterol and one serving is amounted to be of200 gm of cholesterol. Such high values can give your cat heart-related issues.
2.Contains Toxic Content
Prawn comprises some toxic content such as dioxins that can be fatal for your cat if given to unusual limits.
3.Contains Extra Skin
Prawns contain some extra skin which can be hard to digest and also turn out to give digestion problems such as diarrhea, lethargy in the cat.
4.Contains Sodium
Prawns are high in sodium too which is prohibited for cats as it can rise its effects by turning into muscular spasms, loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, and rapid heartbeat which can make your cat’s health adversely affected.
Know both sides before putting anything on your feline’s plate.
Can Cats Eat Cooked Prawns?
Cats can be given cooked prawns without adding any preservatives and additives such as sauces etc.
It is advisable to give your cat-cooked prawns without adding anything extra to it such as sauces, garlic, and onions on top of it to make it look appealing.
Cats’ digestion systems are not that complex and not made to cope up with such food contents. They are carnivores who rely on others for their food which is another reason why they are very sensitive to anything that is made for humans if gets served on their plate.
As all along with the article, we have made up a notion which you can also call a fact is, that only moderation is the king here.
It might sound amusing but that’s what the real picture looks like. Get your cat’s vet involved if you can foresee any problems before making such an addition.
Another thing to consider here is that some cats are intolerant to seafood and are very prone to show up signs of allergies which you need to be cautious about.
How Many Prawns Can A Cat Have?
After giving your cat their normal diet, prawns should be used as an addition or extra.
There have been a lot of questions related to this topic and I will have to say, that it depends on the kind of diet they are accustomed to having, if your cat is on a low protein diet then there is no point in giving your cat prawns as it is high in protein diet.
In other scenarios, one or two pieces of prawn will do enough considering it’s not a staple food. Prawns should not make more than 10% of your cat’s diet to keep it in a simpler way.
Can Cats Eat Prawn Shells?
refrain from giving your cat prawn shells as ut can be harsh for your cat’s throat and can also choke your cat.
a lot of you have somewhere thought of this question and I am afraid I had to bring this to you that prawn shells are not a great choice to give to your cats.
prawns shells have heavy metallic contamination which is not in any way recommended for cats. as I mentioned, it can be a reason for choking which if gets undetected can leave a severe danger of death.
in simpler words, it’s great to keep it away from your cats as the complexity of such food substances isn’t meant for cats as they don’t have any coping mechanism to deal with it.
Can Prawns Make A Cat Sick?
There hasn’t been any case claiming as such, but some researchers believe that it can make your cat sick.
While prawns can’t make your cat instantly sick. I am not denying it’s a great substitute for junk-based treats.
It should also be considered that some researchers have shown the clear possibility of the parasites and bacteria present in prawns can make your cat severely ill as an aftermath result or repercussion if because of your negligence you end up giving prawns in excess.
It is said that you should never give your cat-cooked prawns cooked in salt, tomatoes, onions, and garlic as it may be appealing to you as a human but it’s a health hazard for cats, your little furry baby’s body can react extremely in such situations.
Can Cats Be Allergic To Prawns?
Yes, cats can be allergic to prawns considering it’s a portion of seafood.
Much like humans, cats too can develop allergies if they ingest something then their bodies are very likely to react to it. Some common reactions can be as follows
- Rashes
- Extreme redness
- Extreme licking
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
You need to be cautious of these signs and take urgent consultations if the reactions escalate further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to give my cats shrimp?
Yes, you can give your cats shrimps as it is non-toxic. But moderation should be always kept in mind.
How to tell if a cat is allergic to prawns?
According to veterinarians, your cat will shoe excess scratching, biting of the skin, hair loss, trouble in breathing, and inflammation as a sign of allergies.
Why onions are not advisable for cats?
Onions are not advisable for cats as onions can break down cats red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.
My cat has stopped eating food, what to do?
You need to visit your cat’s veterinarian if this situation keeps worsening. Try to change your cat’s diet to bring a change to your cat’s taste buds. If this doesn’t work, it’s time to bring your cat to the vet.
Final Words
At the end of this article, we have concluded, that prawns indeed are a healthy choice and can be given to your cats as an addition to your cat diet.
But the whole crux of this conversation and writing this article was to make you retain that cat’s diet Is all about moderation and any food choice shouldn’t exceed the daily intake of your cat’s diet.
To bring a halt to my words, I want to put across a question and give you some time to process the answers and pen it down in the comment section below so that I can have a look and our other buddies can reflect on the mistakes they should have avoided.
Okay so, how the first time went when you served your cat prawns? What was the reaction?
Come and share.
