Tuna can be a healthy treat for cats, but only in moderation.
It’s no secret that cats love fish – and tuna is a favorite. But with the special nutritional needs of felines in mind, is it safe to offer tuna to your cat?
Discover how much tuna cats can eat and what type of tuna is most suitable for them.
The Benefits of Tuna for Cats
In moderate amounts, tuna can be a healthy treat for most cats. Surprisingly, many commercial cat foods incorporate tuna into their composition.
This food is rich in proteins and low in carbohydrates, besides providing essential omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA.
These nutrients not only promote skin and coat health but can also help alleviate inflammatory conditions such as allergies, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and kidney problems.
Potential Health Concerns
While it’s acceptable to offer your cat small amounts of tuna as a treat or supplement to their complete and balanced diet, excessive consumption can be harmful.
Tuna alone does not provide all the essential nutrients that a cat needs for optimal health.
It’s crucial to ensure that your cat’s diet is complete and balanced, as indicated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on labels of high-quality commercial cat foods.
Tuna contains an unbalanced amount of vitamin E, which can lead to fat inflammation problems, especially in pregnant cats.
Additionally, tuna is known to contain mercury, and excessive consumption can result in mercury poisoning, manifesting in signs like lack of coordination and balance problems.
While it may be tempting to feed your cat tuna regularly due to its irresistible flavor, this can lead to feeding issues, as some cats may start refusing their regular food in favor of tuna.
Therefore, it’s important to offer tuna to your cat in moderation and ensure that the majority of their diet consists of a complete and balanced diet.
Additionally, always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your cat’s diet to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
What Type of Tuna Can Cats Eat?
While it’s acceptable to offer your cat small amounts of tuna as a treat or supplement to their complete and balanced diet, excessive consumption can be harmful.
Tuna alone does not provide all the essential nutrients that a cat needs for optimal health.
It’s crucial to ensure that your cat’s diet is complete and balanced, as indicated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on labels of high-quality commercial cat foods.
Tuna contains an unbalanced amount of vitamin E, which can lead to fat inflammation problems, especially in pregnant cats.
Additionally, tuna is known to contain mercury, and excessive consumption can result in mercury poisoning, manifesting in signs like lack of coordination and balance problems.
While it may be tempting to feed your cat tuna regularly due to its irresistible flavor, this can lead to feeding issues, as some cats may start refusing their regular food in favor of tuna.
Therefore, it’s important to offer tuna to your cat in moderation and ensure that the majority of their diet consists of a complete and balanced diet.
Additionally, always consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods into your cat’s diet to ensure they receive the necessary nutrients for optimal health.
Safe Ways to Feed Your Cat Tuna
Before introducing any new food into your cat’s diet, it’s always advisable to consult the veterinarian.
If you receive approval from the veterinarian and choose to feed your cat tuna, follow the same guidelines you would when offering any treat to your feline.
Supplementary treats like tuna should make up less than 10% of your cat’s daily calories, with the remaining 90% coming from a complete and balanced cat food.
To avoid potential issues arising from excessive tuna consumption, such as the development of selective eating habits, it’s advisable to limit tuna to an occasional treat for your cat rather than feeding it daily.
If you suspect your pet is ill, immediately call your veterinarian. For health-related inquiries, always consult your veterinarian as they have examined your pet, know the pet’s health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.