By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Seafood nights are hard for cats to ignore. Crab has a strong smell and a soft texture that many cats love. A small taste of plain, cooked crab meat is unlikely to cause harm. The risks come from raw crab, sharp pieces of shell, rich sauces and the salty imitation crab sticks that end up in sushi rolls and salads.
Key takeaways
- Plain, cooked crab meat in a small amount is unlikely to harm a healthy cat, but it is not needed in a balanced diet.
- Raw fish and some shellfish contain thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). Cooking destroys it to varying degrees.
- Shell fragments, claws and legs can injure the mouth or gut, or cause a blockage.
- Garlic butter, chilli and seasoned sauces are a bigger concern than the crab itself.
- Imitation crab sticks typically contain fish paste, starch, salt and flavourings, and are not a good cat treat.
- Related reading: garlic and cats, food allergies in cats.
Cooked plain crab
Crab is animal protein, so it fits a cat's carnivore diet better than most human foods. Still, Cornell recommends that treats make up no more than 10 to 15 percent of daily calories, and that a cat's main diet is a complete and balanced food. Cornell also notes that some cats fed canned fish meant for people have developed neurological disorders, so seafood should stay an occasional extra.
If you offer crab, use a tiny piece of plain, thoroughly cooked meat with no shell, salt, butter or sauce.
Why raw crab is a problem
Merck Veterinary Manual notes that thiamine deficiency is most common in cats and can be caused by thiaminase in raw fish. A review by Kritikos and colleagues reports thiaminase in the flesh of some fish and shellfish, and says heat destroys it to varying degrees. Cornell does not recommend feeding cats raw meat.
Shells, claws and legs
Crab shell is hard and can break into sharp pieces. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that swallowed foreign objects can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and reduced appetite, and that blockages are time critical. Merck Veterinary Manual describes gastrointestinal obstruction as an emergency. Bin shells in a sealed container straight away, since a smelly bin is very tempting.
Sauces, seasonings and crab sticks
Chilli crab, garlic butter crab and crab cakes often contain onion, garlic, chilli and salt. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that cats are the most susceptible species to onion and garlic poisoning. Imitation crab sticks (surimi) typically contain processed fish, starch, sugar, salt and flavourings. Pet Poison Helpline lists salt as a toxin for pets in large amounts.
Signs to watch for
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- drooling, pawing at the mouth or gagging (shell stuck in the mouth)
- reduced appetite, lethargy or hiding
- a painful belly or straining
- pale gums or weakness days after eating garlic or onion
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic now if your cat:
- swallowed shell, claw or leg pieces and is vomiting, gagging or off its food
- ate crab with garlic, onion or a seasoned sauce
- vomits repeatedly or seems painful
- has a swollen face, hives or trouble breathing
The Animal Poisons Helpline is on 1300 869 738. Do not make your cat vomit at home.
How vets help
Your vet will ask what part of the crab and how much was eaten, and how it was prepared. If a shell fragment is suspected, your vet may examine the mouth and use X-rays or ultrasound. For garlic or onion, blood tests over several days may be recommended. Treatment depends on what is found.
Prevention
- Keep seafood platters and shells out of reach and clear them promptly.
- Put shells in a sealed bag in an outside bin.
- Do not leave raw crab defrosting on the bench.
- If you want to share, offer a tiny piece of plain cooked crab meat or a commercial seafood cat treat.
FAQ
Can cats eat crab sticks?
A small piece is unlikely to cause serious harm, but crab sticks are processed and salty. It is better to skip them.
Can cats be allergic to crab?
Cats can develop food allergies. If your cat develops itchy skin or tummy trouble after seafood, talk with your vet.
Is canned crab OK?
Canned seafood for people may contain added salt and is not a balanced food. Keep it as an occasional tiny treat at most.
My cat chewed a crab leg. What should I do?
Check the mouth if your cat lets you, and call your vet if your cat is gagging, drooling, vomiting or off its food.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got into the seafood or you are unsure whether a treat is safe, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Disorders of the Spinal Column and Cord in Animals (Thiamine Deficiency).
- Kritikos G, Parr JM, Verbrugghe A. Vet Sci. 2017;4(4):59. The Role of Thiamine and Effects of Deficiency in Dogs and Cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Cats.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt Is Toxic To Pets.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.