Can cats eat raw fish?
The →healthy, balanced diet of your feline friend should always contain a high proportion of meat. But what about fish? You probably have the image of a cat in your mind, fishing for treats at a pond. That rarely happens, as many cats don't like to dip their paws into cold water.
However, once the fish is in your kitchen, your cat usually doesn't take long to show up and ask for a bite. That's because most cats absolutely love to eat fish. Compared to meat, fish contains less connective tissue, which makes fish easy to digest and especially suitable for cats with sensitive digestive systems. If your cat doesn't have any health issues, she can basically eat any type of fish that you enjoy yourself.
The following types of fish are especially suitable for feeding your cat:
Trout
Pollock
Salmon
Mackerel
Tuna
Sprats
Sardine
Herring
Carp
Cod
Pike
Perch
Remove larger bones before you treat your cat to this delicacy. You should also make sure to cook or fry the fish for your cat. Because with raw fish there is an increased risk of infection. You should also avoid spices when preparing fish for your kitty; while you may enjoy them, they can, however, →be toxic for your cat.
There are several important factors to consider for healthy cat nutrition: Our feeding recommendations give you a clear overview!
Why is raw fish dangerous for cats?
Raw fish can be dangerous for cats, just like →raw ground meat. Raw fish can contain bacteria and parasites that can make your cat sick. Even though your kitty has a very keen sense of smell, she unfortunately can't tell whether the raw fish offered to her is safe to eat.
Another issue is the enzyme thiaminase, which breaks down the essential vitamin B1 and makes it unusable for bodily functions. This enzyme is especially prevalent in some types of fish. This vitamin supports important nerve functions in your cat. Eating raw fish can therefore lead to deficiency symptoms that can be fatal if left untreated.
Not only raw fish can be dangerous for cats, you should also avoid feeding your kitty chocolate!
These types of fish contain particularly high levels of thiaminase, so you should not feed them raw:
Herring
Carp
Mackerel
Cod
Pike
Do you want to feed your cat a healthy and species-appropriate diet? Our cat treats offer something for every taste and texture preference.
Juicy, creamy or rather coarse - something for every velvet paw
Which types of fish are suitable for cats to eat raw?
Would you like to feed your cat raw fish from time to time? To minimize the risk of a vitamin deficiency as much as possible, you should feed fish varieties that are free from or at least low in thiaminase.
The following types of fish are suitable for raw feeding your cat:
Perch
Halibut
Plaice
Cod
Catfish
If you feed your cat raw fish, it's worth supplementing with foods that are especially high in vitamin B1. These include organ meats such as heart, liver, or kidneys. Also, (brewer's) yeast, soy flour, fennel, and dandelion are rich in vitamin B1 and can help prevent a deficiency.
