It should come as no surprise that cats enjoy canned salmon given their reputation for being fish lovers. Really, what could be more secure than that?
While it’s true that giving your cat canned salmon probably won’t kill them, you should still think twice before giving your kitten table scraps due to other health considerations.
The safety of feeding your cat canned salmon is discussed further below, along with the situations in which you should refrain from doing so.
Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon?
Canned salmon is not safe for cats to eat. Canned salmon is bad for your cat because the canning process changes the fats and oils in the fish. In addition, your cat should not eat the bones or skin that are commonly found in canned salmon.
Is Canned Salmon Safe for Cats?
Canned salmon is just as safe as fresh for cats to consume, and it’s also much healthier for them.
The reason is that in order to make canned salmon suitable for human consumption, various seasonings and other ingredients are added to the meat. Your cat has a poor tolerance for things like salt and preservatives, among others.
Your cat should be fine with low doses. However, if your cat consumes too much, they run the risk of becoming ill or even dying from sodium poisoning.
Don’t go crazy feeding your cat nothing but canned salmon. Your cat will likely enjoy the canned salmon, but it is lacking in several important nutrients and may become malnourished if fed only that.
Once the cans have been opened, they should not be left just anywhere. The sharp corners of the lid could potentially cut or slice open your cat if it ran off with an open can of salmon. Don’t give your cat too much of the canned food and throw away the can right away.
Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon With Bones?
Some people mistakenly give their cats canned salmon without first removing the bones. The main reason is that if your cat eats a bone, it could splinter and cause choking or perforate its intestines.
There is still a risk of ingesting harmful fragments of bone if your cat chews on them before swallowing them. It’s best to take the bones out of canned salmon before feeding it to your cat.
You can also get canned salmon for cats that has no bones and no skin. Finally, limit your cat’s intake of canned salmon. Salmon, like all fish, has mercury, which can be dangerous in high concentrations.
Therefore, limit your cat’s intake of canned salmon to infrequent, small servings.
Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon in Water?
Cats can benefit from adding salmon to their diets, as it is full of healthy nutrients. Cats can benefit from canned salmon (in water), but it’s important to read the label to make sure there isn’t any extra salt.
Fresh cooked salmon is another option, but it needs to be cooked thoroughly before being fed to a cat. Salmon skin is another option for rewarding your feline friend with healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
If your cat has health issues or you have any doubts about the safety of feeding them salmon, you should talk to your vet before making any dietary changes.
Can Cats Have Canned Salmon Juice?
Cats, as obligate carnivores, can only properly utilize the proteins found in animal sources. This is why feline diets must be high in animal protein while being relatively low in carbs.
While canned salmon does provide some protein from animals, much of that protein is water.
About 60% of canned salmon is water. This means that it is mostly made up of things that your cat’s body cannot use and contains very few of the nutrients that your cat needs.
So, I wouldn’t advise giving your cat canned salmon juice. Look for a treat that is made for cats and contains only fish, with no added water or fillers, if you want to give your cat a fish-based treat.
Can Cats Eat Canned Pink Salmon?
Some cats, despite being primarily carnivorous, will occasionally consume very small amounts of plant matter. Some felines enjoy a can of pink salmon as a tasty treat.
Canned pink salmon, however, is not a healthy option for cats and may even be harmful. Canned pink salmon may cause gastrointestinal distress due to the presence of splintering bones.
Parasites can live on the fish’s skin and fur and be transferred to your cat. Due to these factors, you should refrain from giving your cat canned pink salmon.
Be on the lookout for any symptoms of illness and consult your vet if you have any concerns if your cat consumes this type of food.
The Dangers of Canned Salmon for Cats
Salmon is beneficial to cats’ health because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are also beneficial to humans. There are, however, some risks to think about before you start feeding your cat canned salmon.
1. Salmon Bones
If swallowed, the bones in canned salmon can cause choking or digestive problems. Be on the lookout for any signs of distress in your cat if they do eat the bones, and get in touch with your vet if you have any worries.
2. Parasites
Your cat could get a parasitic infection from eating fish skin or fur. Don’t risk it by feeding your cat anything but skinless, boneless canned salmon.
3. Mercury
Mercury is found in all fish, including salmon. Mercury is toxic to cats in high enough concentrations to cause illness. As a result, canned salmon should be given to your cat only in very small amounts and only as a special treat.
4. Salt
Cats shouldn’t eat too much canned salmon because it might have too much salt, which is bad for them. If you want to feed your cat canned salmon, make sure there is no added salt by reading the label first.
5. Allergies
It’s possible that some felines have seafood allergies. Contact your vet immediately if you see any signs of an allergy after feeding your cat canned salmon.
Why Fresh Or Cooked Salmon is A Better Choice for Cats?
Salmon is a healthy option because it contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Canned salmon isn’t as good as fresh or cooked salmon for a number of reasons.
1. Less Sodium than Canned Salmon
In fact, the sodium content of canned salmon, even “no salt added” varieties, is higher than that of fresh or cooked salmon. So, fresh or cooked salmon is a better choice if you’re worried about your cat’s sodium intake.
2. No BPA in Fresh or Cooked Salmon
The synthetic compound bisphenol A (BPA) is commonly used in food can linings. There is evidence that BPA is harmful to cats, so it’s best to keep them away from it.
3. More Nutrients in Fresh or Cooked Salmon
Canned salmon is low in the nutrients your cat requires because it is mostly water. However, the nutrients in fresh or cooked salmon are more concentrated.
4. Easier to Digest for Cats
Cats may have trouble digesting the bones and skin found in canned salmon. Remove the skin and bones before feeding your cat canned salmon.
5. Better Taste
Fresh or cooked salmon is often preferred by felines over canned salmon. Fresh or cooked salmon is a great alternative if you’re looking to reward your cat.
How to Feed Your Cat Fresh Or Cooked Salmon?
Now that you know why it’s good for your cat, you might be wondering how to give it to them, whether raw or cooked. Some pointers to help you get going are as follows.
1. Choose Wild-caught Salmon
I understand the allure of the more affordable farmed salmon. However, there are a number of reasons why wild-caught salmon is preferable for your cat.
To begin, the omega-3 content of wild-caught salmon is higher. Second, it has a smaller amount of mercury and other toxins. Third, it has a better flavor overall.
2. Avoid Salmon with Added Salt
As I mentioned before, cats should not consume large amounts of salt. Therefore, smoked or salted salmon should be avoided. Choose low-sodium options of canned, frozen, or fresh salmon.
3. Cut the Fish into Small Pieces
Due to its high protein content, salmon makes for a satisfying meal. Therefore, the fish should be cut into small pieces to prevent your cat from overeating.
4. Add Some Omega-3 Supplement
Supplementing your cat’s diet with omega-3 fatty acids can help ensure that they get the recommended daily amount. This will make it more likely that your cat is getting the proper nutrition.
5. Monitor Your Cat for Allergic Reactions
Some felines, as I mentioned before, have seafood allergies. Do not delay in getting in touch with your vet if you see any signs of an allergic reaction after feeding your cat salmon.
What’ll Happen If Your Cat Ate Canned Salmon?
There’s no need to freak out if your cat ate some canned salmon. Cats can safely consume canned salmon in moderation. But there are a few things to bear in mind.
1. The Sodium Content
Canned salmon, as I mentioned before, has a higher sodium content than fresh or cooked salmon. Your cat may be at risk for sodium toxicity if it consumed a large amount of canned salmon.
Nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and convulsions are all signs of sodium poisoning. Please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if you observe any of these conditions.
2. The BPA Content
Like I said before, canned salmon frequently has BPA. Canned salmon may contain a low level of BPA, but even that is too much for your cat.
Therefore, fresh or cooked salmon should be chosen instead if BPA exposure is a concern.
3. The Bone Content
Cats may have trouble digesting the bones and skin found in canned salmon. A bowel obstruction is a possible outcome if your cat ate a lot of canned salmon.
Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and constipation are all signs of a clogged digestive tract. Please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible if you observe any of these conditions.
4. The Allergen Content
Last but not least, some felines have seafood allergies. In the event that your cat develops an allergy after eating canned salmon, you should consult your vet immediately.
Allergic reactions manifest themselves in a variety of ways, including gastrointestinal distress, respiratory distress, facial swelling, and paw swelling.
What To Do If Your Cat Accidentally Eats Canned Salmon
To see what goes into the canned salmon, read the ingredients list. Get in touch with your vet right away if you find out it contains salt or anything else that could be toxic.
The amount of canned salmon your cat ate should also be determined. Extreme thirst or urination, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, sluggishness, and clumsiness can all result from consuming too much salt. Seizures, coma, and tremors are possible in severe cases.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t let your cat get used to eating canned salmon because of the salt content.
Extreme thirst, electrolyte imbalances, stomach inflammation, and even death have all been linked to excessive salt intake.
If your cat doesn’t have an allergy to salmon, you can give her some fresh, plain salmon as a treat occasionally.
Find out in our blog which other types of seafood are safe for your cat to eat besides salmon.