When feeding cats, our first thought is that cats love to eat fish, so they will make various fish-related foods for cats to eat. Not only that, many parents are not only limiting their cats to eating freshwater fish, but also Can cats be fed saltwater fish? So can cats eat saltwater fish? Is it okay for cats to eat saltwater fish?

1. Is it good for cats to eat fish?

Fish cannot meet the daily nutritional needs of adult cats. As we all know, fish has low fat content, and the main nutritional needs and energy source of adult cats come from fat. If only fish is used as a cat’s staple food, it will also cause malnutrition in cats. In addition, fish are divided into two types: freshwater fish and saltwater fish. However, freshwater fish have many spines. Many parents find it troublesome and prefer to feed their cats more fleshy seawater fish without small spines. Some parents are even proud of this and feel that their family Cats eat well, but they don’t know that seawater fish is very harmful to cats. First of all, the large amount of magnesium salts contained in seawater fish can form stones in the cat’s urethra, causing urinary tract disease and even kidney disease in cats; secondly, seawater fish contains Contains a large amount of thiamine enzyme, which can decompose thiamine in food and the body. If the cat eats seawater fish as its main food for a long time, it can cause vitamin deficiency in the cat, causing symptoms such as cervical pain and the inability to lift the neck. Therefore, parents should establish a correct concept of feeding and not judge cats based on human concepts.

2. Things to note when cats eat saltwater fish

First, saltwater fish generally have hard and thick fish bones, especially hairtail and croaker, which are often eaten by people. These fish bones are difficult for cats to chew and swallow. If the main bone is swallowed backwards into the mouth, it may get stuck in the throat and be difficult to remove. Therefore, when feeding saltwater fish to cats, the fish bones must be removed.

Second, some cats often develop urethral stones due to their own physical factors. The large amounts of magnesium salts contained in seawater fish will form stones in the cat’s urethra. Therefore, cats with a history of urethral stones or a genetic history should try their best to Reduce consumption of saltwater fish.

Third, seawater fish contain a large amount of thiamine enzyme, which can decompose thiamine in food and body. If seawater fish is the main food for a long time, it can cause vitamin B deficiency in cats, causing cervical pain, inability to lift the neck and other symptoms.

So when feeding cats, whether it is freshwater fish or seawater fish, you should pay attention to its freshness. Because fish meat is rich in protein, once it goes bad, a large amount of histamine will be produced. Even if the owner has cooked the fish as much as possible before feeding, the histamine content will not be destroyed. Cats that eat such fish may cause a series of allergic reactions, such as diarrhea, vomiting, itching of the ears and trunk, rashes on the ear shells and around the eyes, and sometimes hair loss. The course of these diseases may be long or short, and severe cases may last for a month, so owners should try their best to pay attention to avoid unnecessary trouble.

3. How should cats eat fish correctly

First: Fish cannot be fed as a cat’s staple food, but it can be eaten 3 or 4 times a week in the form of complementary food or rewards.

Second: When choosing fish, it is best to choose freshwater fish with fewer fish bones. If there are more fish bones, it is best to carefully pick out the fish bones before feeding to prevent the fish bones from hurting the cat's mouth, throat and esophagus.

Third: Fish heads, gills, and fish internal organs must be removed. Because river water or lake water is more or less polluted, such as heavy metal pollution, pesticide pollution, etc., these pollutants will remain on the heads and gills of fish. Once the cat eats it, it will also have a certain impact on the cat’s body. influence, so the fish must be cleaned.

Fourth: Boiling or steaming fish without adding any seasoning is the healthiest way to cook fish for cats. Be sure to cook the fish well. In addition to bringing parasite problems to cats, raw fish will also produce an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1. A lack of vitamin B1 in cats may lead to cramps, heart disease, and intermittent shock.

Fifth: Cats with sensitive stomachs are best not to eat fish or fish mixed with rice.

No matter what kind of food you feed your cat, you must first understand whether the food is suitable for the cat. After the cat eats it, it will have no impact on the cat’s health. Do not feed the cat food you think is good. This is not good for the cat. of healthy eating.