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Read the tips below before sharing any food with cats

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✋ Fish

Salmon, Whitefish, Herring, Walleye, Flounder, Arctic Char, Sardines, etc.

Fish is not toxic to cats, but contrary to popular belief, it is not part of cats' natural diets, and therefore, they should not regularly eat fish. Fish can actually destroy certain vitamins, causing cats to have an unbalanced diet. Cats should only eat fish as a treat or as an ingredient in cat food, in which ingredients are balanced properly. Cats should only eat shorter-lived species of fish like salmon, ocean whitefish, lake whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, sardines, and Arctic char. Longer-lived fish species, like tuna and swordfish, can contain heavy metals like mercury, which builds up in the fish's system over time. Cats should only be fed cooked fish, as raw fish can carry harmful parasites and bacteria like salmonella and listeria. Cats should not eat fish cooked in oil, as too much fat can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats. Cats should never eat fish that contains bones. Fish bones are small, brittle, and dangerous, and can lodge themselves in your cat's mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines, sometimes even perforating the organ wall. Cats can, in moderation, eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, deboned, shorter-lived species of fish that is cooked without oil or butter.

Caution: Foods that are high in fat should only be fed in moderation, as the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Read more.

Tips

When sharing food with cats, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
  • Ask your veterinarian before feeding your cat anything—especially if they take medication or have any medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, allergies, etc.). Some medication can interact with foods, so don't take any chances!
  • Any foods cats are eating for the first time should be introduced in small quantities. Monitor them after they eat it, and if they experience any negative symptoms, don't feed it to them again.
  • Any foods outside of your cat's normal diet should make up less than 10% of their daily food intake. For example, if your cat eats 1 cup of food per day, they shouldn't eat more than ⅒ cup of treats (e.g. a few blueberries). Any foods fed to cats in large amounts can lead to digestive upset, so moderation is truly key.
  • Any foods shared with cats should be cut into bite-size pieces, with all choking hazards removed (e.g. pits, peels, seeds). These choking hazards can even become obstructed in your cats gastrointestinal tract. Never share these things with cats, even if they are perfectly normal for humans to eat.
  • Cats shouldn't eat foods with added salt, oils, sugar, seasonings, sauces, or any other variations. These additions, while delicious, often contain ingredients that are harmful, if not toxic to cats, such as garlic, onions, or even xylitol. Cats should not eat foods that were prepared with these ingredients, either.
  • Cats should only eat foods that are high in fat in moderation, even if they are generally considered healthy for us. For dogs, eating large amounts of fat can cause gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas which can range from mild to severe, and can require emergency veterinary treatment. For cats, however, the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Out of an abundance of caution, cats should only eat limited amounts of fatty foods.
  • Cats shouldn't eat processed foods such as baked foods, boxed snacks, fast food, etc. Aside from being unhealthy and high in fat, they often conceal ingredients that may be troublesome or even toxic for cats, such as a sweetener called xylitol. Be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients of any processed foods you share with your cat, and if you can't determine the safety level of each ingredient, do not share it with your cat.
  • Cats shouldn't eat canned versions of foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, etc.), due to their added preservatives including excess salt and sugar, which can be harmful to cats (and humans!). Choose fresh or even frozen versions instead.
  • Cats lack the enzymes required to digest carbohydrates. Unlike humans and dogs, cats are carnivorous, and do not digest sugars the same way we do. Over time, feeding cats carbohydrates and sugary foods will cause digestive issues, and can also lead to obesity and diabetes, and therefore, their diets should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars.