Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Feed your cat tuna like it's a treat, meaning only give your cat tuna occasionally and only up to 10% of their day's calories. As part of a balanced diet, you can safely offer one teaspoon of tuna a few times a week, or about one-half can per month.
If you choose to offer your cat the occasional tuna treat, you can choose canned tuna or fresh tuna. Select canned tuna packed in water, not canned tuna in oil or canned tuna with added salt or other flavorings. Chunk-light tuna is a better choice for your cat than albacore, which is higher in mercury.
Fish, such as tinned sardines in spring water, tinned tuna and tinned salmon (take care with any fish bones) can be offered as a treat occasionally but please avoid feeding fish constantly because this is not a complete diet.
Cook any chicken you give to your cat. Canned meat or fish (in moderation only). Your cat may come running when you open a can of tuna, oysters, sardines, salmon, or shredded chicken. However, canned meat is high in sodiuim and canned fish (tuna especially) contains higher levels of mercury – both harmful to kitty.
However, in small portions, from time to time or as an emergency cat food option, tuna or other fish are fine: Cooked fish fillets are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for your cat's heart, kidneys, joints and vision.
"Modern cats may develop organic mercury poisoning over time if they primarily eat cat food containing tuna, mackerel, and other types of seafood," says Jenna Stregowski, RVT and Daily Paws' health and behavior editor.
Cats will go mad for the stuff - it's high in protein and fat, so they'll go crazy for it as soon as you crack open a can. It's filled with essential nutrients your kitty needs, and in fact, lots of commercially available cat foods use tuna as a key ingredient.
Signs can include blindness, excitement, abnormal behavior and chewing, lack of coordination, and convulsions. Cats show hindleg rigidity, lack of coordination, and tremors. Neurologic signs may be irreversible.
Tinned tuna will be packaged in either in fresh water, brine (salt water) or oil. Certainly, these latter two forms of tuna are advised NOT to be fed to cats. The high sodium content in brine can cause serious electrolyte (salt) imbalances in the cat's body and brain, potentially even reaching toxic levels.
Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for cats – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your cat's skin and coat.
Speaking of fats, tuna is exceptionally high in unsaturated fats, which while good for humans, is not so much for cats. According to pet blogger Abby Rosenberg, having too much unsaturated fat in a cat's diet can cause a vitamin E deficiency, leading to inflammation of the fatty tissue, a condition known as steatitis.
Your cat licks themself after eating to get rid of any tiny particles of food and any food smells from their whiskers, face and even front legs (did we mention cats like to be very clean!).
Salmon and tuna are common sources of struvite crystals, and can exacerbate the inflammation already present. FLUTD and other urinary problems can be a source of major aggravation for both you and your cat.
So, can cats eat tuna? Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently.
Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat's tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tuna—not albacore, which is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher. These rare indulgences should account for no more than 10 percent of your cat's daily calories.
Tuna contains mercury
“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.
Cats can eat tuna as a treat and in small amounts, once or twice weekly at a maximum. Choose tuna in natural spring water. Avoid feeding cats tuna in oil or tuna in brine as these human tuna foods contain too much salt and oil so lack any health benefit, and can cause harm.
(This is why tuna is not recommended as a daily meal for people either.) Because it is a protein food, there is always potential for allergic reactions as well." Similar to other fish, like salmon, it's recommended to cook tuna before serving it to your kitty-cat to ensure a safe feed.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.
Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, and sardines are a superb nutritional supplement to your cat's diet. They are rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are great for your cat's eyesight and heart health.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
Now you know that cats should never eat raw fish. Offering your cat cooked salmon from time to time is a safe bet, while canned tuna should just be a once-in-a-while treat. Learn more about which human foods are safe for cats and which foods to avoid.
Consider swapping out tuna for an even smaller fish, like herring, sardines, anchovies or other types of seafood and shellfish. These can also be found in canned formats from the grocery store, but it's better to look for products specifically designed for an adult cat.