Abstract: The paper aims to establish a simple and effective detection method for heavy metal cadmium residues in Eriocheir sinensis by using wet and microwave digestion methods. The two pre-treatment methods were tested, using ICP-MS determination of cadmium within the gonads (G), muscles (M) and all edible parts of the animal (B), and their recovery rates were used to compare each method’s reliability. Experimental results from the wet digestion method showed that, for pre-treatment, the detection limit of cadmium in G, M and B was between 0.0025-0.0045 μg/g, the recycling rate was 96.24%±2.13%, 99.93%±3.50% and 94.74%± 1.42%, respectively, and the recovery rate of M was significantly higher than that of G and B (P<0.05). Results from the microwave digestion method revealed that, for pre-treatment, the detection limit of cadmium in G, M and B was between 0.0012- 0.0027 μg/g, the recycling rate was 104.76% ± 7.40% , 92.38% ± 10.26% and 91.850%±4.25%, respectively, the recovery rate of gonad samples (G) was significantly higher than that of M and B (P<0.05). That the pre-treatment method affected the recovery rate of matrix, and the different pretreatment methods were applicable to different substrates. In handling crab muscle, the best choice was the wet digestion method; while the microwave digestion method was better for gonadal studies. When dealing with the entire edible part, both methods could be reliable. Considering that the recovery rates were acceptable, the microwave digestion method had characteristics of simple, rapid and short operation time, plus less reagent consumption. Therefore, the microwave digestion method should be selected as the pre- reatment method in practical operation.