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.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. 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.
While tuna is fine for cats in moderation or as a treat, too much canned tuna can be bad for your cat. Fish is a great source of protein, but there are a few reasons why a steady diet of human-grade canned tuna can cause health problems for your cat. Tuna alone is not nutritionally complete.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tuna on its own is not nutritionally balanced. For example, tuna has too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with Vitamin E or other antioxidants. Therefore, tuna should not be fed as your cat's primary source of nutrition.
The Bottom Line. While Fancy Feast can be part of a balanced diet for your cat and provides complete nutrition, it may not be quite as fancy as the name suggests. As with any food, ensure the first few ingredients are high-quality, natural proteins like fish, chicken, or meat.
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.
Comparing canned salmon and canned tuna, the former tends to be a safer bet for cats. The concern with tuna is its high mercury content, which can lead to mercury poisoning in cats. Salmon generally contains less mercury and is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, this doesn't entirely rule out tuna.
Cats can safely eat a few pieces of canned sardines that come with water. The ones packed in oil must be washed, while sardines in brine and tomato sauce must be avoided completely. Brine is a highly concentrated water solution of common salt, which is not good for cats.
It is not recommended for cats to eat canned salmon because of the salt content. A ray-finned fish that belongs to the Salmonidae family, salmon can be occasionally fed to your pet cat as long as it is cooked without flavourings and preservatives.
Tuna is a great source of protein for your cat, and rice provides essential nutrients and carbohydrates. It is a balanced and nutritious meal for your feline friend.
Because mercury toxicity is not common in cats, it may not be the first thing a veterinarian suspects. So it's possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed.
For recent exposures, oral administration of activated charcoal and sodium thiosulfate to bind the mercury will limit absorption. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium may limit some types of damage. Dimercaprol and penicillamine are sometimes used in treatment.
Because the neurologic and renal damage resulting from mercury poisoning is irreversible, treatment may be ineffective. Consequently, the prognosis for a complete recovery is very poor.
You can, but it's not necessary or a good ides. Wet food has the moisture and protein cats need without the addition of tuna. Tuna also contains high levels of mercury, which can buildup over time.
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.
Although cats are notoriously finicky, most felines find the mild flavor of chicken appealing. Fish, on the other hand, may be a good choice for a cat that hasn't been eating well, advises Tracy R. Dewhirst, DVM, who writes a pet advice column for the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Meat. Cats are meat eaters, plain and simple. They have to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. Cooked beef, chicken, turkey, and small amounts of lean deli meats are a great way to give them that.
While it's perfectly acceptable to feed your cat a commercial dry or wet food, you can offer variety in your feline's diet by feeding it cooked or raw, fresh meat. Many cat's love fish; however, it is not an acceptable food for daily feeding.
Tuna alone is not an adequate meal that can provide a good balance of nutrients for your cat. In addition, tuna is high in mercury, which can lead to mercury poisoning in your cat despite being rare. Symptoms of mercury poisoning in cats include loss of coordination and balance, difficulty walking, and more. Important!