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Do you occasionally like to eat a tuna salad sandwich? Or do you enjoy eating tuna in other ways? If so, you’re not alone! Many people enjoy tuna on a regular basis. And if you have a cat, she may be drawn to your tuna sandwich or dinner! What cat can pass up the wonderful aroma of tuna? But what happens if a cat eats tuna? Can tuna make a cat sick?
Has your cat eaten tuna? Are you worried the tuna will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about tuna and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Tuna?
Tuna is a saltwater fish that belongs to the Thunnini family of fish, a subfamily of the mackerel family. There are about 15 species of tuna that vary in size.
Tuna have a streamlined body and are one of the fastest swimming fish in the sea! They usually live in warm water, where the fish are commercially fished. However, overfishing has driven some tuna species to the brink of extinction.
Tuna can be used in many ways, such as a steak, served raw, canned, and more.
While tuna can be healthy for humans (in moderation), what happens if a cat eats tuna? Can tuna make a cat sick?
Tuna & Cats
Cats are attracted to tuna because the meat is fish. Most cats love fish! However, tuna meant for human consumption can be bad for cats. The problem is that tuna is not nutritionally balanced for cats. In addition, the fish contains too much unsaturated fat and is not supplemented with vitamin E or other antioxidants. For this reason, tuna should never be the main source of a cat’s nutrition.
Tuna can cause several problems in cats, including:
- Weight gain
- Some cats can be allergic to fish
- Tuna is high in mercury & may be toxic to cats
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include:
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination & balance
Mercury poisoning is more common in cats that eat albacore tuna—it has higher mercury levels than other types of tuna.
So, can cats eat tuna? While the fish isn’t nutritionally balanced, your cat can eat it as a once-in-a-while treat. Tuna should never be the main part of your cat’s diet; however, in small amounts every so often, your cat may be able to safely enjoy tun. But if she shows signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue feeding her tuna and call the vet immediately!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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