Why cats should not have it
Cats find the smell of fish hard to resist, but raw fish from the kitchen brings two dangers. The first is bacteria and parasites, which only boiling or baking destroys.
The second matters for cats in particular. Some fish contain an enzyme that breaks down thiamine, one of the B vitamins. A cat needs more of it than a dog does, and when it runs short for a long time the nervous system suffers: the cat eats poorly, wobbles, holds its head down and may have seizures. Cooking destroys the enzyme.
One stolen bite is not an emergency, but raw fish is not something to give a cat.
What to watch out for
- Raw fish can carry salmonella, listeria and other bacteria that cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Fish can carry parasites that only boiling or baking destroys.
- Fed raw fish regularly, a cat can run short of thiamine, which harms the nervous system.
- Small fish bones can get stuck in the mouth or throat.
- If your cat vomits, has diarrhoea, stops eating, wobbles or holds its head down, contact a vet.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
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Cooked boneless fish
In moderationPlain cooked fish with the bones removed is fine in small pieces.
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Fish bones
Not safeBones can get stuck in the throat or injure the gut.
What it can cause
Signs that can appear after eating it. Each page explains what to look out for and when to hurry to a vet.
What to give instead
Foods that are safer to give.
- Chicken Yes, plain cooked chicken without bones, skin or seasoning is one of the best treats you can give a cat. Safe
- Eggs Yes, a well-cooked egg, boiled or cooked without fat, is fine for a cat, but it is better not to give a raw egg. Safe
- Fish Yes, in moderation: plain cooked fish with the bones removed makes a good treat, but it should not replace a complete cat food. In moderation