Can Cats Eat Salmon?

TL;DR:

Yes, cats can eat salmon, but how it’s prepared matters. If you’re preparing yourself, avoid seasonings like garlic and butter or focus on feeding fish-first cat foods. Salmon offers a variety of health benefits, such as improved coat, eye, brain, and heart health.

Main Points:

• Salmon is safe and beneficial for cats if prepared correctly.
• Offers Omega-3s for coat, eye, brain, and heart health.
• Best served in fish-first cat foods, toppers, or treats.
• Avoid raw, smoked, or highly seasoned salmon.
• Canned salmon should be fed sparingly due to high sodium content.

It’s seafood night, and your curious cat is already circling the dinner table with their tail in the air, waiting for a handout.

Should you give your hungry kitty a taste of the salmon off your plate?

The answer depends on how you prepared your fish dinner. For example, garlic is a big no-no for our feline friends, and butter can sometimes cause digestive issues. In general, however, cats can have salmon. In fact, most veterinarians agree that they should!

Salmon is one of the most common fish-based protein sources fed to cats today. It has powerful health benefits and can give your cat’s coat a gorgeous shine. As long as you’re careful about how you serve the salmon, your cat can enjoy its flavor while getting a healthy boost of Omega-3s!

Keep reading to learn why smart pet parents are feeding their cats salmon. Plus, learn how to incorporate this fishy favorite into your pet’s diet!

The Health Benefits of Salmon for Cats

Soft, moist salmon is easy to digest, making it one of the top protein choices for cats. It’s also one of the rarest food allergies in felines, making it a safe addition to most cat’s diets.

If you want to start incorporating salmon into your cat’s diet, we recommend following this simple guide. It’s always important to transition your cat to a new food slowly and speak with your vet if you have any questions or concerns.

Once salmon becomes a staple in your cat’s diet, you can expect to see the following health benefits at work:

• Improved Eye Health: Salmon is a key source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for feline vision. Kittens need Omega-3s as their eyes are developing. In adult cats, Omega-3s help maintain vision and eye health.
• Healthy, Shiny Coat: Omega-3s also contribute to shiny, healthy coats. Healthy cat hair is less likely to shed. As a result, you might even notice fewer hairballs over time!
• Brain and Nervous System Health: Salmon is a source of vitamin B-12, which is a nutrient that helps boost brain cognition in felines. It can help keep your kitty sharp as they age.
• Joint Health: Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory, which can help ensure hip and joint mobility as your cat ages.
• Heart Health: Fatty acids like Omega-3s can help regulate the contraction and relaxation of artery walls. This helps improve the way your cat’s heart functions and can prevent serious problems over time.
• General Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3s can reduce age-related pain and soothe chronic conditions.

How to Incorporate Salmon into Your Cat’s Diet

You don’t need to prepare a nightly filet to take advantage of the health benefits of salmon! Here are a few ways to incorporate salmon into your cat’s diet.

Fish-First Cat Foods

The easiest and healthiest way to incorporate salmon into your cat’s diet is to feed them a fish-first cat food. Prioritize salmon from brands that are transparent about the source of their fish. Ideally, salmon should be sustainably caught or harvested, and brands should be transparent about where their fish comes from and their quality assurance standards.

You should also look for fish as the first ingredient in the recipe, meaning that real salmon represents the largest quantity in the product. It’s okay if salmon “meal” is listed in the ingredients, but it should not be the first ingredient.

You should also look out for chicken, chicken fat, or other animal fats and proteins listed on the ingredients. These can often trigger common allergies and sensitivities and are common practice in many brands’ seafood recipes.

Consider a wet cat food like salmon paté or a slow-cooked wild salmon kibble, which features human-grade quality salmon as the first ingredient.

Salmon Toppers

If you are happy with your current cat food, why not build a better bowl? A salmon topper allows you to add a little burst of additional nutrition, flavor, and hydration to your cat’s current food. Ensure that salmon is the first ingredient in any topper you choose.

Salmon-based Cat Treats

You can also incorporate salmon into your cat’s diet through treats! Again, ensure they contain salmon and aren’t just “salmon flavored.” Your cat reaps the benefits if they contain those beneficial Omega-3 oils!

FAQ: Can Cats Eat…?

Can Cats Eat Raw Salmon?

Cats should not eat raw salmon. Even sushi-grade salmon can cause gastrointestinal issues in some cats. Raw fish can contain E. coli or salmonella, which leads to food poisoning.

Can Cats Eat Salmon Skin?

Yes, cats can safely eat cooked salmon skin. The skin is also a source of Omega-3s. We advise you to feed your cat salmon skin in moderation to avoid GI issues over time.

Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon?

Canned salmon tends to have a higher sodium content, which can be unhealthy for cats. Canned salmon also occasionally contains bones. While cats can eat canned salmon occasionally, it shouldn’t be a major part of their diet. Ensure you only feed your cat canned salmon in water, as flavored varieties may contain ingredients dangerous for cats.

Can Cats Eat Cooked Salmon?

Yes, cats often enjoy delicious, cooked salmon as an occasional treat! However, ensure you prepare it for the feline palate, not the human palate!

Avoid seasoning the fish with lemon, garlic, butter, oil, salt, or other seasonings. These ingredients can be dangerous for cats. Garlic is toxic for cats, so avoid it at all costs.

Can Cats Eat Smoked Salmon?

Like canned salmon, smoked salmon tends to have high sodium content. It’s better to avoid giving your cat smoked salmon, if possible. Too much sodium can lead to serious health complications in cats.

Your Cat Deserves a Fish-First Diet

From our Wild Salmon and Sweet Potato dry food recipe to our Salmon Paté and Food Toppers, shop our seafood-based cat food now! Find the perfect salmon specialty for your feline friend.