Is tuna good for cats

Is tuna good for cats? A vet answers

Is tuna good for cats? The answer is yes, but only when consumed as a treat and in small amounts. Unlike the best cat food which comes packed with everything your feline friend needs to thrive, tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced and therefore it cant be fed to your cat as their primary source of nutrition.

When it comes to the question of what human foods can cats eat? tuna makes the list of safe snacks. However, its important to avoid tuna in brine, which has a very high salt content, and tuna in oil, which is high in fat. Instead, opt for tuna packed in spring water and stick to a cat-friendly portion.

For everything you need to know about feeding tuna to your cat, we turned to the expertise of Dr. Elizabeth Racine. Below, youll find her advice on portion sizes, which cats should steer clear of this fishy treat, and whether mercury poisoning is something you need to be worried about. Lets take a look

Dr Elizabeth Racine

Dr Elizabeth Racine graduated in 2017 as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She now specializes in veterinary behavior, nutrition, and internal medicine. Dr Racine also works as a freelance writer, writing for major companies in the industry such as the American Kennel Club.

Tuna is okay for most cats in small portions

For most cats, tuna is an acceptable snack as long as it is not their only source of food. Tuna is not a complete and balanced diet, and should not be fed as a full meal. If your cat is healthy and tolerates tuna well, a small amount of tuna as an occasional treat should not cause any harm.

Some cats who are not used to tuna may experience some mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting and diarrhea, after eating it. In these cases, it may be best to discontinue feeding tuna, or to try starting out with very small amounts at first to allow the cat time to get used to it. Over time, the cat may adjust and may be able to enjoy larger portions without stomach upset.

Tuna may be bad for some cats

Although tuna is a healthy snack for most cats, for some cats it can cause problems. Cats with certain health issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease, should not eat tuna because it may cause flare-ups. Cats on special diets, such as those with food allergies or those on a low iodine diet for hyperthyroidism, should also not eat tuna because it will interfere with the balance of their diet.

If your cat has medical problems or is on a special diet, ask your veterinarian before feeding tuna to your cat. Its always a good idea to check with your vet before feeding anything new or unusual to your cat!

Can cats get mercury poisoning?

Yes, unfortunately, cats can get mercury poisoning just like other animals including humans can. However, your cat would have to be eating a lot of tuna to consume enough mercury to result in a toxic level of mercury in his or her body. It is very rare for a cat to get mercury poisoning from eating tuna.

Common symptoms of mercury poisoning include neurologic signs such as blindness, weakness, incoordination, abnormal behavior, tremors, nystagmus, and convulsions. If your cat displays any of these symptoms, it is important to see your veterinarian right away. Even if your cat doesnt eat tuna, these symptoms can be signs of a serious medical condition and your cat needs veterinary care immediately.

Tuna is not a complete and balanced diet

Most importantly, tuna by itself is not a healthy diet for your cat. Tuna alone does not provide all the vitamins and minerals your cat needs, which can lead to serious health problems long term. Your cat should always eat a commercially manufactured cat food that is complete and balanced, meaning it provides the right amount of nutrients for your cats current life stage. While tuna flavored cat foods are just fine for your cat as long as they meet your cats current nutritional needs, tuna alone does not have enough nutrients to sustain your cats health long term.

To learn more about choosing an appropriate diet for your cat, ask your veterinarian for product recommendations or check out these resources on choosing a pet food from the Tufts Clinical Nutrition Service Tufts Clinical Nutrition Service or from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

Limit tuna intake for your cats health

Although tuna is a safe and acceptable treat for your cat, its important to limit your cats intake of cat treats and snacks for his or her overall health. A good rule of thumb is to limit treats including tuna! to no more than 10% of your cats total calorie intake for the day. This 10% should include all foods outside your cats regular cat food, including treats, table scraps, food toppers, supplements, hunting, and any other sources of extra food.

If all these food sources account for more than 10% of your cats daily calorie intake, your cat is at risk for becoming overweight or even obese. Obesity in cats can lead to a number of health issues, including cardiac disease, diabetes, and arthritis. If your cat is already overweight, skip the tuna and read our guide to weight loss for cats. Your cat will thank you!

Is tuna good for cats? Always check with your vet first

Tuna is a safe and reasonably healthy snack for most cats, but should never be used as a full meal because it is not complete and balanced. In general, tuna should not make up more than 10% of your cats daily calorie intake. Some cats may not be able to eat tuna safely, so always check with your veterinarian first before feeding a new product to your cat if your cat has a health condition or is on a special diet. Otherwise, it should be okay for your cat to enjoy small amounts of tuna as the occasional treat. If you have questions about your pets diet, your veterinarian is the best resource to help you ensure that the diet you are feeding is complete and balanced and appropriate for your pets current life stage.

Now that you know the answer to whether tuna is good for cats, you may be wondering if a more natural diet is best for your feline friend. Take a look at the benefits of raw cat food to find out if a diet like the one their ancestors ate is right for your kitty.

Can I Feed My Cat Tuna?

Its a bit of a clich that cats love tuna so everytime you eat a tuna sandwich, youve probably been tempted to sneak your cat a bite (especially if you see him staring at you from under the table).

But you might have wondered if its actually OK to give him canned tuna. Can cats eat tuna fish safely?

The short answer is yes but only in moderation, and there are some things you need to know first.

We spoke to LeeAnna Buis, a certified feline training and behavior consultant with Feline Behavior Solutions, to find out everything you need to know about feeding your cat tuna.

Is tuna good for cats?

Tuna can be a healthy snack for cats when given sparingly.

[Tuna] can help stimulate kitty appetites and offers protein, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and other important vitamins and minerals, Buis told The Dodo.

Many cat foods actually contain tuna as an ingredient. The proteins, vitamins and minerals in tuna have a lot of benefits for cats, including improving eyesight, boosting their immune systems, giving them energy and contributing to skin and coat health.

However, that doesnt mean tunas a perfect food.

Tuna has some health benefits, but there are downsides to giving your cat tuna, too especially if you let him overindulge.

Tuna lacks nutrients and can be unhealthy

While tuna can be a nice treat in small amounts, it doesnt have all the nutrients your cat needs and can be high in unsaturated fats, so its not a good staple food.

Canned tuna in particular can also have a lot of salt, Buis said, which can result in an electrolyte imbalance, causing its own set of health issues. Just like in people, an electrolyte imbalance can cause your cats cells to malfunction.

Tuna is also high in unsaturated fats. A diet high in unsaturated fats can lead to vitamin E deficiencies in cats.

It does not supply all of the nutrients your cat needs, Buis said. Fed in large amounts, it leaves your cat lacking important nutrients.

Vitamin E deficiency can cause a disease called steatitis, or yellow fat disease, which is an inflammation of fatty tissue. Young cats and overweight cats are more predisposed to this condition, but any cat who has too much unsaturated fat in his diet can develop it (tuna-flavored cat food will not put your cat at risk because it usually includes a mix of different types of fish or meat to provide your cat with the balanced nutrients he needs). There are also other diseases associated with vitamin E deficiency in cats, but yellow fat disease is the most common.

This disease can be life-threatening, and while an occasional bite of tuna probably wont cause your cat to develop it, its super important to make sure you feed your cat a balanced diet without a lot of unsaturated fats and to look out for the below symptoms if youre feeding him tuna regularly.

Symptoms of steatitis or yellow fat disease include:

• Fever
• Dull coat
• Sensitive skin
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Masses under the skin
• Signs of depression

If you notice any of these signs of yellow fat disease in your cat, you should contact your vet immediately.

Tuna contains mercury

Tuna also has higher mercury levels than many other types of fish, so feeding too much to your cat can be harmful and lead to mercury poisoning.

It not only leaves your cat lacking important nutrients, but can also cause mercury poisoning, as mercury is toxic to cats, Buis said.

While mercury poisoning is rare, it can be serious symptoms of mercury poisoning include:

• Loss of coordination
• Loss of balance
• Difficulty walking
• Other neurological issues

Cats can have food allergies

While lots of cats love tuna, not all cats are able to eat fish some cats can be allergic to it. So when you give your cat tuna for the first time, you should be on the lookout for any allergy symptoms.

Symptoms that your cat might be allergic to tuna include:

• Itching
• Rash
• Hair loss
• Digestive problems
• Liver problems
• Kidney problems
• Pancreas problems
• Conjunctivitis

If you think your cat might have a food allergy, make an appointment with your vet right away to confirm it (especially as these symptoms can all be signs of other problems).

Cats can become tuna-obsessed

As adorable as it is, sometimes cats can go a little too crazy for tuna which can actually make your life more difficult.

Its also said that cats can easily become a bit obsessed with tuna, making it tough to reward them with other treats and keep them eating their primary cat food, Buis said.

This can become a problem if your cat refuses to eat any food but tuna, since tuna doesnt have all the nutrients he needs in a complete meal.

Can cats eat tuna out of the can?

If you want to give your cat tuna, canned tuna is actually better than raw fish.

The canning process removes thiaminase, an enzyme found in raw tuna that destroys vitamin B1, which our cats need, Buis said. Look for canned tuna in spring water. Avoid brine, which is higher in sodium, and oil, which can cause digestive issues.

As always, if youre unsure about whether or not you should give your cat tuna, talk to your vet.

If youre considering tuna for your cat, its best to chat with your veterinarian about how much is too much and whether your cat has any health issues that may be exacerbated by this stinky treat, such as kidney and heart disease, Buis said.

Tuna should only be given as an occasional treat, and it shouldnt make up a significant chunk of your cats diet a teaspoon every now and then is enough to satisfy your cat (but still check with your vet about how much is OK for him).

So while tuna shouldnt be given as a full meal, as long as your cat doesnt have any allergies, you can give him some canned tuna every now and then as a treat just be prepared in case he becomes a little too obsessed!