Cats are natural predators of dried fish.
If the skin of your cat touches the residue on the flake, it may create a marbled shape. Cats have incredibly clever sense of smell.
As long as your kitten is exposed to fish, it will eventually eat dried coral. So, can cats eat dried fish?
Unlike the tuna fish, dried fish is a rich source of protein and minerals that cats need to stay healthy and fit. They provide essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own.
However, there are several precautions you should take before feeding your feline friend with dried fish. Let’s dive in.
Can Cats Eat Dried Fish?
Dried fish has a high protein content and is rich in major minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
They also contain vitamins A and E, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids along with fiber content.
Dried fish is safe for cats provided they are fed in limited amounts and kept away from all human food.
They are high in fat and calories; hence they are a perfect treat for healthy cats and kittens, but can cause diarrhea in cats with sensitive stomachs.
Dried fish is just as tasty as fresh tuna and catfish.
However, too much dried fish can upset the digestive system of cats if fed in excess.
However, the fat content limits the inclination of cats and dogs to eat it in large quantities.
Canned fish aren’t suitable for cats because they are mostly water, although some canned tuna products may contain some oil and some meats.
Cats are obligate carnivores and can only get protein from animals.
Is Dried Fish Good For Cats?
Dried fish is rich in protein and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
It provides essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own and are good for overall health and well-being of cats.
Cats can attain their minerals from diet or supplements such as fish oils, but dehydrated or dried fish is considered to be the best source.
However, cats should avoid tea, coffee, and alcohol to avoid constipation and electrolyte imbalance.
There is no evidence of any toxic effect from dried fish in cats (provided they are fed in limited amounts).
Is Dried Fish Bad For Cats?
Dried fish is high in mercury and fatty acids which may trigger kidney failure and liver damage in sensitive cats.
Excessive consumption of dried fish can cause diarrhea and vomiting in cats with sensitive stomachs. Cats can’t digest caffeine or tannic acid, so you should avoid serving them coffee or tea.
Cats cannot digest milk protein. Coffee and tea contain caffeine which is harmful to cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores and can only get protein from animals. Any form of protein derived from plants won’t be metabolized in cats’ bodies.
So, feeding your cats with plant sources is harming them in the long run because it will cause an imbalance in their digestive systems. If a cat is fed with cheese or eggs, it may cause food poisoning.
Mercury is a heavy metal that cats cannot digest or excrete on its own. It is poisonous to cats especially in increasing the risk of kidney damage and lowering its immune system.
Cats are highly susceptible to mercury poisoning and it may take only several days for it to develop and manifest the symptoms.
Dried fish contains small bones and sharp edges that your cat can easily swallow which can lead to blockage, twisting or obstruction of the digestive tract.
Although rare, eating dried fish can weaken your cat’s immune system and pancreatitis may develop in them.
It may hamper the digestion of nutrients if fed in excess and cause diarrhea or vomiting in cats with sensitive stomachs.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and is serious in cats.
Your cat may be at risk of laceration from dried fish’s sharp objects including bones, scales and shells.
These small and sharp objects may get stuck in your cat’s digestive tract that will require surgery to remove them.
The Benefits of Dried Fish for Cats
Dried fish is an excellent source of protein and minerals that cats need to stay healthy and fit.
It provides essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own. It plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and tissues in the body.
Therefore, you should provide your kitten with enough dried fish during kittenhood and adulthood to help it develop strong muscles and bones.
Nutritious Ultra-Healthy Meat Alternative for Cats is also a complete and balanced diet for kittens and cats.
It also helps prevent obesity in cats because it provides fewer calories and is a rich source of fiber and healthy fats, unlike meat and other meat products.
It is a good source of vitamins A and E that help boost the immune system of your cat.
However, you should feed your kitten or cat with dried fish in limited quantities because it is a high-fat food that can upset the digestive system of your cat if fed in excess. However, dried fish is a good low-carb source of food for cats whose owners are trying to cut down the carbohydrate in their cat’s diet.
The Risks of Feeding Dried Fish to Cats
Although dried fish is an excellent source of protein and minerals that cats need to stay healthy and fit, you should keep y our cat’s fat intake in balance.
It provides a lot of fat which the body needs but may not need it in excess. Too much fat can spoil the digestive system of your cat and cause obesity or pancreatitis to develop.
Cats cannot digest milk protein, hence feeding them dairy products such as cheese or eggs may cause food poisoning. These dairy products contain milk proteins which can cause inflammation of the cat’s pancreas and may lead to pancreatitis in sensitive cats.
Dried fish contains small bones and sharp edges that your cat can easily swallow which can lead to blockage, twisting or obstruction of the digestive tract. Although rare, eating dried fish can weaken your cat’s immune system and pancreatitis may develop in them.
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas and is serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Moreover, although cats are obligate carnivores and can only get protein from animals, dried fish isn’t suitable for them if you feed dried fish regularly.
Feeding them dried fish regularly may hamper their digestion of nutrients causing diarrhea or vomiting in cats with sensitive stomachs.
Dried fish may cause constipation in sensitive cats because they can’t digest fiber.
Similarly, too much calcium in dried fish can harden the stools causing constipation in sensitive cats because they can’t digest fiber.
How to Feed a Cat with Dried Fish?
Cats love to eat fish.
The protein content found in fish is an excellent source of nutrients that cats need to stay healthy and fit. However, it is not recommended to feed your cat with fresh fish as they might contain mercury and other preservatives harmful to their health.
You can give them with canned tuna or salmon as an alternative. But, it is safer to opt for dried fish such as salmon or sardine as it is a rich source of protein and minerals that cats need to stay healthy and fit.
They provide essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own. However, there are several precautions you should take before feeding your cat with dried fish.
The following tips will help ensure that your cat benefits from taking dried fish as a treat or as part of a diet. Consult your veterinarian before feeding your cat with dried fish.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Smoked Fish?
Conclusion
If you have a cat and want to make sure it eats well, you should feed it dried or fresh fish.
It is rich in protein and minerals that your cat needs to stay fit and healthy. However, you should make sure that you buy dry or fresh meat from a reputable brand.
The flakes of dried fish are coated with salt and oil to prevent spoilage and bacterial growth during storage. Dry fish can dry and whether due to bacteria or fungi and can cause food poisoning in your cat.
So, make sure the flakes are fresh before buying them for your kitten!
