Can Cats Eat Raw Fish?

Yes, cats can eat fish. However, not all types of fish are safe for cats to eat. You should also be aware on how to prepare the fish for your cat as if not prepared correctly, it can harm your cat. We'll talk more about that in the sections below.

Is fish good for cats?

Nutritionally speaking, fish is high in protein and some provide healthy fats too. These nutritional properties can help a cat remain strong and have a healthy and shiny coat. With that being said, some types of fish can interfere with the absorption of B vitamins. Fish also contains harmful toxins, histamines and heavy metals, making a bad option as a staple in their diet. Raw fish also contains harmful pathogens, which is why it should never be fed to cats. Other human food high in protein, such as eggs, can also be harmful to cats.

In conclusion, cats can eat fish and it can even be beneficial to their diet, but in moderation. It should not be a staple in their diet as excessive fish intake can cause thyroid problems, allergies and vitamin deficiencies. Most veterinarians will prefer feeding cats fish oil supplements instead of actual fish, as it will provide the cat with the nutritional benefits without the harmful consequences. Consult with your veterinarian for more information.

Learn more about harmful food for cats in our article forbidden foods for cats.

Nutritionally speaking, any type of fish could be good for a cat, as long as it isn't given excessively. However, to make sure a fish is safe to eat there are some criteria it must meet. You should not feed your cat:

• Heavily salted fish
• Canned fish (contain toxic substances)
• Smoked fish (high salt content)
• Marinated fish
• Non-fresh fish
• Fish with bones (as they can choke on them)
• Raw Fish
• Tune or other oily processed fish

When deciding to occasionally feed your cat fish, make sure it is fresh, good-quality and cooked. Give it to them occasionally, only as a treat. Not as a staple in their diet as it will bring health issues. Learn more about what human food your cat can have in our article about human foods that are not harmful to cats.

When preparing fish for your cat, it must be freshly cooked. Do not give your cat tune or any other canned fish. Make sure to only give them a small portion and that there are no bones. When choosing cat food flavoured with “fish”, watch out for the generic brands that use a hodgepodge of fish and fish by-products, such as bones and scales.

Instead, opt for canned cat food with a single-ingredient list and sustainable farming if possible. This makes sure it's good quality fish that will have good nutritional value for your cat. As well as be less harmful than other fish, such as tuna. We must stress, don't give fish to your cat excessively. Learn more on our article about the best diet for cats.

If you want to read similar articles to Can Cats Eat Raw Fish?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.