Can Cats Eat Salmon? Is It A Superfood For Felines Too?

Can cats eat Salmon? Salmon has been touted as a healthy food. And it really is! It not only has a lot of healthy nutrients but it has the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated “good fats”.

As long as it's not cooked up with heavy, fattening oils, salmon can be considered a heart healthy food. It's full of vitamins and protein.

People dealing with stress and depression may be recommended to eat some of this tasty and nutritious brain food. Because it raises the responses toward insulin, diabetics are recommended to have an occasional serving.

Cats and Fish

Cats certainly seem to like fish of all kinds. Bobcats in the wild have been known to catch salmon in shallow streams. Jaguars and Siberian tigers aren’t afraid to get a little wet if it means fish. 

There’s an old Chinese folktale about a young cat who learns that he must be patient and learn to focus if he wants fish. You may have noticed that just the smell of fish is enough to drive your furry, four-footed friend into a frenzy.

While cats in the wild normally would not eat a deep sea fish like tuna, a fish like salmon that swims in freshwater rivers and streams in order to spawn might wind up in the jaws of a cunning carnivore.

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Would this superfood be safe to give to your cat? And all those proteins and vitamins look like they would be good for a cat too. You can feed your cat salmon on occasion, but there are details to consider.

Can Cats Eat Salmon?

1. Raw Salmon

Cats should not eat raw fish of any kind. Even if you decide to feed your cat salmon skin it should be well cooked. Raw meat can be contaminated with E. coli and salmonella.

There are enzymes in raw fish that destroy the thiamin and other B vitamins your cat needs. Some fish carry parasites that can be passed to your cat if eaten raw.

In any case, remove the bones so your cat doesn’t choke on them.

2. Canned salmon

Canned salmon usually has too much salt to be safe for your cat to eat. Your average cat needs only about 21 milligrams of salt per day. Canned cat food that’s been flavored with salmon, but do make sure to read that label.

3. Smoked salmon

It is the same problem with canned salmon. Smoked salmon is cured with salt and so has a too high of a sodium nitrate content for your cat to handle.

It is best to give a cat salmon that has been thoroughly cooked by baking or pan searing without any dressings or seasonings that could make her sick.

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What Is The Nutritional Value Of Salmon?

Salmon is high in Omega 3 fatty acids which discourages obesity, as long as you don't over do it. Just half an ounce of salmon has more than enough anemia fighting Vitamin B 12. There’s plenty of Vitamin B 6 to metabolize all that protein which salmon also has an abundance of.

There’s also potassium, selenium and niacin. It’s one of few fishes that nursing and pregnant women are encouraged to eat. Salmon is one of the healthiest types of fish.

How often can people feed their cats with salmon?

While salmon is a healthy treat, it should not be a meal replacement. It should be less than 15% of your cat's total diet. Giving your cat salmon about once a week should be safe. No more than two or three times in a week is advised.

The Possible Problems of Salmon

Farmed salmon has been known to damage the environment and may contain toxic chemicals such as methylmercury and dioxins. Know where your salmon comes from!

As with all food, too much leads to obesity. Learn what amount of food is healthy for your cat and stick to it.

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Health Benefits of Salmon fish

The anti-inflammatory acids plus all that selenium and Vitamin A can improve immunity. If you have an active little cat who is constantly testing the “cats always land on their feet” theory, then salmon might strengthen their bones and help them heal faster. Salmon is full of the lean protein your little carnivore craves.

Conclusion

While Salmon is one of the healthiest types of foods on the market, the old aphorism “All things in moderation means all things“. Don’t negate all the wonderful benefits of salmon with added fat and salt. It’s best if the salmon is wild or at least responsibly farmed.

The fish, including skin, must be cooked until flaky. Your cat needs a variety of food. While salmon can be a made a part of your cat’s diet, it should not be a major part.