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Cats love to eat fish! But if you have an aquarium, don’t be surprised if your fur baby tries to eat the fish food! It’s a common problem in multi-pet households. The cat may knock the fish food on the floor and snarf it up, or she may find bits of fish food on the floor around the aquarium. But what happens if a cat eats fish food?
Has your cat eaten fish food? Are you worried that the fish food will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when something like this happens.
We’ve gathered information about fish food and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Fish Food?
Fish food is made for aquarium or pond fish that are pets. The food provides the nutrients the fish needs to stay happy and healthy. Most fish pet parents use store-bought food already prepared to feed their fish babies.
Store-bought fish food comes in pellets, flakes, or tablets. Each of these would be pretty easy for a cat to eat!
Fish food usually contains the following ingredients (this varies by brand and type of diet):
- Fish meal
- Squid meal
- Shrimp meal
- Earthworms
- Spirulina
- Vitamins & minerals
While fish food is safe for pet fish, what about cats? Can fish food make a cat sick?
Fish Food & Cats
The good news is that fish food for pet fish is not toxic to cats! It’s safe for cats to eat a little fish food once in a while. However, cats with more sensitive stomachs may develop digestive issues after eating the food.
Symptoms of Fish Food Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten fish food:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
These symptoms may last up to 12 to 24 hours. If they last longer than this or if they become worse, it’s best to call the vet. Your fur baby should be checked for other underlying health issues that could be causing these symptoms.
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Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of Fish Food Ingestion in Cats
For cats that have persistent diarrhea and vomiting, the vet has medications that can stop these symptoms. The vet can also treat your fur baby for nausea and digestive tract irritation.
The good news is that most cats will make a full recovery after eating fish food! If your feline friend has a penchant for eating fish food, it’s best to keep the food out of her reach. This may mean it’s necessary to put your fish’s food in a locked cabinet to keep your cat from eating it. You’ll both be happier for it!
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.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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