Updated: November 16, 2023 by CanCat Eat
You might have seen cartoon cats eating fish. But is it safe to feed fish to cats? The good news is that it is safe for cats to use. Most cats love eating fish and love the taste of it.
Contents
Can Cats Eat Fish?
The short answer is yes. If you look back in history, cats were not eating fish. As cats become domestic animals, they are fed fish. Fish is not necessary for cats. Throughout the years, they have lived with humans and adapted to eating fish. Now, most cats love the taste of fish.
Is Fish Safe For cats?
Fish contains lots of nutrients, fat, and lean protein. Our parents always told us to eat fish because it is good for our health. Because they are filled with nutrition.
You might notice that fish is contained in healthy cat foods. Fish is a good source of protein, and it contains a good level of amino acids.
However, all fish may not provide the same kind of nutrition to cats. Generally, you will find salmon in cat food.
There are a lot of fish that add natural omega-3 fatty acids to cat foods. Oil-content fish should be your priority in the food. Omega-3 fatty acid helps to improve your cat’s skin and coat.
There are studies that show that fish oils improve eyesight. DHA Omega 3 is a good fatty acid that helps to improve brain development in young kittens. You will generally find DHA in kitten and cat foods.
There are two types of fish oils: omega -3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Pets require to eat lots of omega-3 to stay healthy. But, too much of any nutrient can show a negative effect. Many times it is used as a supplement that your vet prescribes.
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Bad Part
There is a compound called histamine. It is from the white blood cell. Sometimes, it can cause allergies.
Is there any toxin in fish? If fish swim in the dirty water, there could be a possibility of toxins.
There are many fish that contain heavy metals. For example, sharks and swordfish contain too much mercury, which is not good for cats. You shouldn’t feed these fish to cats.
Are Fishes is Good Balanced Diet for Cats?
Fish could be a well-balanced diet for cats. You might notice already many premium cat food is made with white fish, shrimp, and salmons.
If you are feeding any fish to cats. It is good to stick with one fish at a time. This way you can figure out any allergic reaction. Too much tuna is not good for cats.
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Precautions
Ocean and Freshwater Fish are not part of the natural diet of cats. Wild cats can’t eat fish. You can feed fish as a treat. Fish should be up to 10% of her food intake.
Fish bones can damage your cat’s throat. Even some small bones can cause a problem. It is best to remove the bones from the fish before feeding the fish to your cat.
The cat should eat raw food, right? But, when it comes to fish, it is better to cook it for safety. There is some substance in raw fish that can cause problems in cats. Raw fish can contain parasites.
Some cats love to eat fish. If you have aquarium fish in your house. Keep them out of your cat’s reach. Some aquarium fish may not be healthy for cats.
Conclusion
Generally, fish is perfectly okay for cats to eat. You will find big cat food brands using salmon and white fish in cat food. Some fish, like cod and swordfish cooked with onions, are rich in mercury. You should avoid those fish in your cat’s diet.
Kristen is a cat parent. Love to keep my cats happy always and playful. Also, It became my passion to help another cat owner with caring tips for their cats and kittens. Stay tuned with my personal blog to know more caring tips, review of cat food and feeding guides. I’d love to know about your cat. If you something to share with about your cat. I will be happy to read.