Can German Shepherds Eat Chicken?

It’s seafood day in your house, and you have settled on breaded shrimps.

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The news has everyone in your household excited, and your furry friend is following you around as you work on the recipe.

Finally, the meal is ready, and your dog looks at you in disbelief.

Oh yes!

She wants in, but should you?

Can dogs eat breaded shrimp?

Yes, your dog can have a share of the breaded shrimp but only in small quantities, given the high amount of oil and carbs.

Also, some dogs have a problem digesting oils and the bread coating; that’s why you should only do it in moderation.

This article explores everything you need to know when treating your dog to some breaded shrimps, including the benefits and potential risks the treat could have on your dog.

Benefits of Breaded Shrimps for Dogs

Occasionally sharing breaded shrimps with your dog will have the following positive impact:

Increased Energy

Nobody wishes to have a feeble dog without balance.

If you are looking to increase your dog’s energy and stamina level, then go for a breaded shrimp treat, as it contains the following nutrients that will boost its energy levels:

Proteins
Omega 3 fatty acids
Niacin
Carbohydrates
Good cholesterol

The breaded shrimp will improve your dog’s weight and muscles, making it stronger, healthier, and more appealing.

Antioxidants

Shrimps carry the astaxanthin component, which is a great antioxidant.

Antioxidants in dogs are critical as they help lower any inflammation by destroying free radicals.

The antioxidants help boost your dog’s immunity, by aiding healthy cell formation.

They also help lower the aging process by strengthening the cells and boosting their renewal.

Improve Gut Health

Shrimps carry different vitamins, including vitamins A, B and C.

These vitamins are critical in promoting the overall health of your dog’s gastrointestinal organs.

The vitamins promote the proper functioning of the gut organs by ensuring the digestive process in your dog happens smoothly.

Vitamin A is also critical in boosting the vision of your dog.

Vitamin B 12 is responsible for the formation and functioning of the cell.

Potential Risks of Feeding Your Dog Too Much Breaded Shrimp

Breaded shrimps should only be shared with your dog as an occasional treat and should not take more than 10% of the dog’s meal.

Exceedingly feeding your dog on breaded shrimps carries the following risks:

Canine Obesity

Fried foods are not the best for your dog, as some find them hard to digest, thereby increasing weight.

Increased calories in dogs increase their weight, making them less active and subjecting them to health problems.

Some common ailments that arise as a result of the canine obesity include:

Heart ailments
Diabetes
Hypertension
Osteoarthritis
Joints problems

These come as effects of slowed metabolism that cannot process the high amounts of fats stored in the body from the breaded shrimps.

Allergic Reactions

If you obtain the breaded shrimp as ready-made from an outlet, high chances are they have been flavored with seasoning and other chemicals.

Dogs find these artificial seasonings toxic and could potentially trigger an allergic reaction.

Allergic reactions make the dog uncomfortable, and she could even lose appetite.

So before sharing the breaded shrimp, check the dog’s health records to ensure they don’t have a history of reacting to wheat products.

In the absence of the records, check out for these reactions as the signs of an allergic reaction:

Itchiness
Swelling of the face
Continuous sneezing
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Nausea
Restlessness

If you notice any of these signs, consult your dog’s veterinarian and follow the instructions given.

Avoid self-medicating the dog as you could be putting it in harm’s way.

Digestive Problems

Overfeeding your dog with breaded shrimps will be exposing the dog to wheat products which some dogs find hard to digest, especially because of gluten.

The bread coating can make your dog’s metabolic system overwork and eventually break down.

This results in making your dog’s stomach turn.

For this reason, you should share only a small portion of the shrimp.

You can choose from other seafood that does not endanger your pooch to avoid these problems.

Seafood Alternatives Suitable for Your Dog

Shrimps are good, but breaded ones are not the best choice of treat for your dog.

If you want to treat your dog to seafood, here are the options:

Fish- Rich in fatty acids, just like the shrimps, helps boost your dog’s immune.
Steamed plain shrimps- Come with all the benefits except for the oils and high carbohydrates from the bread. A great choice due to the low calories
Tuna- High in proteins that help boost your dog’s immunity
Prawns- High vitamins content like the shrimps that help improve the dog’s vision
Crabs- Highly nutritious as they have high protein content, key in boosting the dog’s energy levels

Overall, seafood is a great treat for your dog, especially if well deveined and cooked.

For your dog to fully benefit from the nutrients that come with seafood, opt for organic treats and have them steamed without seasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I feed my elderly dog some breaded shrimp?

No, it’s not advisable to feed an elderly dog breaded shrimps as its metabolism is slow and the dog is not active, leading to increased weight.

Weight gain in older dogs can be problematic, leading to heart ailments, thereby shortening the dog’s lifespan.

Is it ok to share breaded shrimps with my puppies?

Yes, it’s ok to share the breaded shrimps with your puppies as at that stage, the puppies are active and will burn the fat quickly.

Only do it in moderation; the treat should not replace the puppy’s main meal.

How often should I share breaded shrimps with my dog?

At most, you should share a breaded shrimp treat with your dog once a week to avoid exposing your dog to too much fat and carbs.

Conclusion

Dogs can eat breaded shrimp treats occasionally.

However, avoid overdoing it, no matter how much the dog enjoys it, as you will be exposing her to health threats.

The unwritten rule on dog treats is that they shouldn’t take up more than 10% of their meal composition.

The same goes for a breaded shrimp.

If you aren’t sure of your dog’s past health records, consult a veterinarian for professional advice.

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Megan Turner

Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.

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