Shellfish are aquatic animals with shells or exoskeletons, such as shrimp, crab, lobster, oysters, mussels, clams, or scallops.
Shellfish can be a tasty and nutritious treat for your cat, as they are rich in protein, low in saturated fats, and can provide your cat with minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium.
However, shellfish should not be fed as a main or sole source of protein for your cat, as they are not a complete and balanced diet.
Shellfish should make up less than 10% of your cat’s overall diet and should be fed no more than once a month.
Shellfish should also be cleaned and cooked properly before feeding your cat.
- Avoid raw or undercooked shellfish, as they may contain parasites or bacteria that can cause food poisoning or infections in your cat.
- Avoid shellfish canned or cooked with salt, spices, garlic, onion, or other harmful cat ingredients.
If you want to feed your cat shellfish, you can also look for commercial cat foods that contain shellfish as an ingredient.
These cat foods are fortified with other nutrients that your cat needs and they are certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) as complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage.
