Tuna can be a healthy treat for cats, but only in moderation
Updated on 02/23/22
Reviewed by
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Reviewed byBartley Harrison
Dr. Bartley Harrison is a veterinarian with more than 15 years of professional veterinary experience treating dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, birds, and small mammals, with a specific focus on Emergency Medicine. Dr. Harrison is part of The Spruce Pets’ veterinary review board.
Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Veterinary Review Board
It’s no secret that cats love fish—the fishier, the better. Tuna is a quintessential cat treat, and before the days of commercial cat food, many people used to feed their cats canned tuna. But now that we know cats have special nutritional needs, is it safe to feed tuna to your cat. If so, how much tuna can cats eat and what kind of tuna can cats eat?
The Benefits of Tuna for Cats
In moderation, tuna can be a healthy treat for most cats. In fact, many commercial cat foods contain tuna as an ingredient. Tuna is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Tuna also provides the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, which can contribute to overall skin and coat health and may also help improve inflammatory conditions like allergies, heart disease, certain cancers, and kidney disease.
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Potential Health Concerns
Although it’s fine to feed your cat small amounts of tuna as a treat or as a supplement to its complete-and-balanced cat food, too much tuna can be harmful. First, tuna alone doesn’t provide the critical balance of nutrients a cat needs to be healthy.Cats have very specific nutritional needs.
High-quality commercial cat foods include a statement on the label that states that the product is “complete and balanced” as certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).The complete-and-balanced statement on a cat food label means that the cat will get all the essential nutrients it needs, in the correct balance, as required for that life stage: adult maintenance (for adult cats), growth and reproduction (for kittens and pregnant or nursing females), or all life stages (for all cats, whether kittens or adults).
The unbalanced amount of vitamin E in tuna can cause problems with fat inflammation, and some pregnant cats eating high-tuna diets have developed bleeding disorders. Additionally, tuna is high in mercury, so too much tuna could potentially lead to a build-up of too mercury in your cat’s body and lead to mercury poisoning. Although rare, signs of mercury poisoning in cats include incoordination, loss of balance and problems walking.
Finally, cats can love tuna to a fault. Tuna is extremely tasty, perhaps much tastier than your cat’s healthy regular diet. Some cats, when given tuna regularly, will start turning up their nose at their regular cat food, holding out and hoping you will cave and give more tuna instead. This can quickly develop into undesirable picky eating and feeding difficulties.
What Kind of Tuna Can Cats Eat?
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. Pay attention to other sources of tuna your cat might be eating. For instance, if you’re feeding a canned food that’s made with tuna, adding more tuna on top of it might be too much.
Fresh tuna is best served cooked. Even though humans eat sushi all the time, giving your cat raw fish may be harmful. Eating raw fish poses the same risks to you cat as it would to you. Raw fish can contain bacteria and parasites. Additionally, raw fish contains an enzyme called thiaminase. In cats, this enzyme can break down an essential B vitamin called thiamine, potentially leading to dangerous condition called thiamine deficiency, which is very dangerous. Cooking the tuna you plan to feed to your cat not only kills any bacteria or parasites, but also destroys the thiaminase.
Safe Ways to Feed Tuna to Your Cat
It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian before adding any new foods to your cat’s diet. If you get your veterinarian’s blessing and you wish to feed your cat tuna, follow the same guidelines as you would for feeding your cat any treat. Supplemental treats like tuna should make up less than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories. The rest of your cat’s diet (90 percent) should come from a high-quality, complete-and-balanced cat food.
To avoid potential issues that can arise from eating too much tuna, including the development of picky eating habits, avoid feeding tuna every day and instead limit tuna to an occasional surprise for your cat.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of feline nutrition, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion of cat health and diet. My insights stem from a combination of extensive research and hands-on experience, making me well-versed in understanding the intricacies of providing optimal nutrition for our feline companions.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article on cat nutrition and the use of tuna as a treat:
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Introduction to the Topic: The article introduces the common notion that cats love fish, especially tuna, and explores whether it is safe to include tuna in a cat's diet given their specific nutritional needs.
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Author Credentials: The article mentions the review by Dr. Bartley Harrison, a veterinarian with over 15 years of professional experience, specializing in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Harrison is part of The Spruce Pets' Veterinary Review Board, indicating a high level of expertise in the field.
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Benefits of Tuna for Cats: The article highlights that in moderation, tuna can be a healthy treat for cats. Tuna is praised for being high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and containing omega-3 essential fatty acids (EPA and DHA). These elements contribute to skin and coat health and may help with conditions like allergies, heart disease, certain cancers, and kidney disease.
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Potential Health Concerns: Too much tuna can be harmful to cats. Commercial cat foods are recommended for a balanced diet, as they provide essential nutrients certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Tuna alone lacks this critical balance and may lead to vitamin E imbalance, fat inflammation, and even bleeding disorders in pregnant cats. The high mercury content in tuna also poses a risk of mercury poisoning.
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Choosing Tuna for Cats: If offering tuna treats, it is advised to choose canned tuna packed in water, avoiding oil or added salt. Chunk-light tuna is recommended over albacore due to lower mercury levels. Fresh tuna should be cooked to eliminate the risks associated with raw fish, such as bacterial contamination and thiaminase, an enzyme that can lead to thiamine deficiency.
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Safe Ways to Feed Tuna: Before introducing new foods like tuna into a cat's diet, consulting with a veterinarian is emphasized. If approved, tuna treats should constitute less than 10 percent of the cat's daily caloric intake, with the remaining 90 percent coming from a high-quality, complete-and-balanced cat food. Regular feeding of tuna should be avoided to prevent the development of picky eating habits.
In summary, the article provides comprehensive guidance on incorporating tuna into a cat's diet while emphasizing the importance of moderation and a well-balanced overall diet for feline health.
