Fishy Facts For Felines: Can Cats Eat Scallops?

Typically, cats love any kind of seafood, but can cats eat scallops? Not all edibles living underwater are safe for your kitty to consume, and you need to know which are best to steer away from.

Scallops have a salty yet slightly sweet flavor, and the smell engulfing your kitchen while you cook it will surely attract your curious cat! If your pet often makes you feel a bit guilty for not sharing with them, the solution is easy: find out if scallops are safe for cats to eat. 

Disclaimer
IMPORTANT: At stuffaboutcats.com, we regularly consult with licensed veterinarians and other industry experts. However, the information found on stuffaboutcats.com should not be viewed as veterinary advice. We do our best to help you better understand your cats, but the information on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance.

Below, I answer this question and share everything you need to know before you consider feeding this seafood delight to your feline friend. 

Can Cats Eat Scallops?

Yes, cats can eat scallops. 

Scallops are part of the mollusk family and are typically found in saltwater. It’s non-toxic to cats and provides them with tons of nutrients! 

As long as you properly cook them, they’re safe for your kitty to eat. You should also only buy scallops from a reputable brand if you decide to feed your cat some. 

The Health Benefits Of Scallops For Cats

Scallops aren’t just salty and delicious, but they hold many health benefits for your kitty too. These are the nutrients your cat will get when eating a scallop portion:

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is crucial in your cat’s diet. You should serve your kitty foods with high contents of this vitamin to put everything else they eat in balance. 

Your cat’s nervous-, cognitive -, and digestive systems will benefit from this vitamin!

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Scallops contain omega-3 fatty acids that serve as an anti-inflammatory medium. It can soothe any allergies and skin issues that your cat may have.

Potassium 

Potassium deficiency can damage vital organs, and scallops contain just enough potassium to supplement your cat’s intake. This helps make their nerves and muscles stronger so they can carry out everyday tasks. 

Iron

Scallops contain iron, and providing your cat with enough of it can help them fight iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is a severe problem for cats and can lead to adverse health issues like anemia.  

Zinc

Zinc is essential for cats because it helps transport vitamin A in your pet’s body. It also leaves your kitty with healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Besides these mentioned above, scallops also contain trace amounts of other vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, copper, iodine, and choline.

How Much Scallops Is Safe For Cats

Any food outside of your cat’s regular diet should always be given in moderate amounts because it can make them sick.

Scallops contain high traces of sodium that can be harmful to your feline if they consume too much. Because regular cat food already has salt in it, you should give this salty seafood only as an occasional treat.

Your cat might also struggle to digest scallops, so giving them too much at once could cause health issues. Another concern is a seafood allergy. 

 How to cook scallops for cats

Signs of Scallop Allergy In Cats

Your cat could have a scallop or seafood allergy that you are unaware of until you feed it to them for the first time. Signs might only show up a while after they’ve eaten it, so giving them too much at once could be fatal.

A scallop allergy is picked up by identifying certain signs after your kitty consumes this seafood. These are the ones you should look for:

  • Coughing
  • Diarrhea
  • Ear Infection
  • Hair Loss
  • Hives
  • Itchiness
  • Lethargy
  • Swelling
  • Paw Inflammation
  • Trouble Breathing
  • Ulcerations
  • Vomiting

If you notice any of these symptoms after your cat ate scallops, you should take them to the vet to rule out allergies. 

Can Cats Eat Raw Scallops?

No. 

You should never serve your cat raw or canned scallops. 

Raw scallops can contain traces of salmonella and thiamine. Both these cause foodborne illnesses, which can lead to convulsions and seizures. 

The canned version might have ingredients that can harm your kitty. 

How to Serve Scallops to Cats

You should always wash scallops thoroughly before cooking them for your cat. Try to refrain from using canned scallops and ensure that you buy the real deal from a reputable source. Don’t add any ingredients like salt or tomato paste, as these could make your feline sick.

Cooking and steaming scallops will kill all the bacteria and parasites they might have on them, making it safe for your cat to eat. Remember to not give your kitty a big portion as it increases their chance of showing an adverse reaction.

Small amounts are always best when introducing new foods to your cat.

Wrapping Up

Seafood is a favorite for many cats, and it contains a lot of what they need to stay healthy. Scallops are one of the cat-safe underwater edibles your cat can enjoy if you prepare and cook them properly. While some felines will turn their nose to this salty yet sweet treat, others will eat platefuls of it!

Always feed scallops to your cat as an occasional treat and never use them to replace entire meals. Scallops contain sodium that could harm your cat if they consume too much of it at once. 

I hope this article was helpful and that you feel more at ease deciding if you’ll serve your kitty some scallops. I know mine loves it, and they look forward to this bi-weekly treat! 

If you have any more questions about feeding your cat scallops or seafood in general, you can ask them in the comments for other community members and me to answer them the best we can!


What seafood can cats eat?

Cod, salmon, and tuna is the best type of sea fish you can feed your cat. Seaweed is also a great option!

How do I know if my cat has a seafood allergy?

If your cat has a seafood allergy, they will show some of these signs: hives, hair loss, and blisters.

How to cook scallops for cats?

You should boil scallops for your cat to kill any bacteria or parasites that may harm them.