Crab seems like the perfect meat for felines, but is that true and can cats eat crab meat? The answer may surprise you because this one goes against conventional wisdom, to an extent.
In this article we’ll look at the benefits, if any, of crab meat for cats. We’ll also ask how much they can eat and will hopefully put your mind at rest if they have slyly stolen a bite or two from your plate or the kitchen counter, as cats so often do.
Can Cats Eat Crab
There is nothing in fresh and unprepared crab meat that will cause a cat harm. There is nothing in crab meat that should cause them harm if they eat in moderation. There are a few things to consider though. Firstly, seafood is one of the most common allergens for humans and cats alike.
You may not know if your cat is allergic until they eat it, at which point you could have a sick cat on your hands. It’s rare though and if they have safely consumed seafood in the past then they will probably be okay. Seafood may also be present in a lot of prepared cat food, so they may have consumed it in the past without you knowing.
The best thing to do is just to give them small amounts and then to see how they react. As discussed below though, it’s important that these amounts are not prepared for humans and considering that things like dairy can be very bad of them (see our articles on Can Cats Drink Milk and Can Cats Eat Yoghurt) and olive oil may be toxic (Can Cats Eat Olive Oil) then it is crucial to make sure this has not been cooked with butter or oil.
It may make it more delicious for you, but it could be the thing that turns it from “edible” to “poisonous” for your feline friend.
Why Can’t Cat Eat Crab?
The reason cats shouldn’t eat a lot of crab is that a lot of the crab we eat as humans is prepared specially for us. This is one of those meats that is heavily processed and one of those meats that isn’t always presented in its pure form. There are preservatives added; there is oil added and in some cases, the crab you eat is not even crab.
This doesn’t suit a cat’s diet because it’s not good for their digestive tract. A little bit will not harm them, but if they eat a lot in a short space of time then it will likely cause some digestive upset. The same goes for cats who eat small amounts over an extended period of time.
So, while crab might seem like the perfect treat for kittens and cats alike, that’s far from the case. A little actual crab meat might be okay if it’s fresh and real, but don’t give them too much meat that has been prepared for humans. And avoid anything that is labelled as crab but contains little to none of it, such as “crab sticks”, which are actually made from flavorings and cheap, highly processed fish.