Food safety

Can Cats Eat Scallops?

Safe in small amounts — Scallops for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Plain cooked scallops are a lean protein cats can eat. Serve them unseasoned and cut small — raw scallops can carry bacteria and parasites, and fried or buttered scallops add fat a cat does not need.

Safe serving: One small plain cooked scallop as an occasional treat.

If your cat ate scallops: No action needed for a plain cooked scallop. If it was raw, watch for an upset stomach and call your vet if it persists.

Related: Shrimp, Salmon, Sardines

Why this verdict

Plain cooked scallops are a lean protein cats can eat. Serve them unseasoned and cut small — raw scallops can carry bacteria and parasites, and fried or buttered scallops add fat a cat does not need.

Safe serving

One small plain cooked scallop as an occasional treat.

If your cat ate scallops

No action needed for a plain cooked scallop. If it was raw, watch for an upset stomach and call your vet if it persists.

Related foods

Shrimp, Salmon, Sardines

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.