The Cat Likes Fish, So He Must Eat It: True Or False?
Fish: A Healthy Food For The Cat
The virtues of fish in the diet of felines no longer need to be proven. Moreover, marketed animal feeds contain it. Eating fish is beneficial for cats, whether it is white fish or oily fish.
Here are the advantages of fish for our felines.
-
- Fish is more digestible than meat.
-
- Fish seduces difficult cats.
-
- Fish is recommended for cats with allergies.
-
- Fish contains vitamins and minerals essential to the health of felines.
The composition of the fish is ideal for our pets. This food contains taurine, an essential amino acid. It should be noted that the cat’s body synthesizes only a little taurine. Deficiencies can have serious consequences on the health of the cat. They cause irreversible damage to the retina of the eye, degeneration of the heart muscle and rapid deterioration of neurological functions. If you buy dry or wet cat food, be aware that it is enriched with taurine. Fish is also a good source of omega 3 and omega 6. These fatty acids are natural anti-inflammatories. They also have the ability to promote wound healing.
How To Include Fish In The Cat’S Diet?
Your cat likes fish and because it is excellent for his health, you want to give it to him. How to proceed ? First, know that it is possible to buy cat food containing fish. It is marketed in supermarkets, in pet stores and at the veterinarian.
If you prepare homemade meals, you can offer your pet fatty fish as well as white fish. Oily fish like salmon, tuna, sardines or herring are mostly cheap. They are rich in omega 3 and protein. White fish have less fat and facilitate weight loss if your cat is overweight. They are also perfect for indoor cats who move less. You can give him cod, whiting, hake or sea bream.
The Limits Of Fish In The Cat’S Diet
By giving fish to your cat, you make him happy. But vigilance is required! Fish alone is not a complete meal. Moreover, it is recommended to give between 20 and 30 grams per day, no more! Oily fish should be given only 2 times a week.
The preparation of the fish is also to be monitored. It is absolutely possible to give raw fish to a cat. But in this case, vitamin B will not be perfectly assimilated because of an enzyme: Thiaminase. Raw fish can also contain germs and upset the balance of the most fragile cats. Canned fish, which are not intended for cats, are too rich and promote weight gain.
What To Do ?
The ideal is to cook fish and give it to your cat in addition to a balanced diet. Remember that the cat is a strict carnivore. It naturally feeds on small rodents and birds. The latter provide the felines with the plants, fruits and seeds present in their stomachs. If you only give your cat fish, it will suffer from deficiencies. In addition, your pet may suffer from deficiencies and digestive disorders! If you have a kitten, fish is an excellent dietary supplement. But beware ! This type of food does not cover the needs of the animal. Also, he may be stunted.
Your veterinarian can advise you on how much fish to give your cat. He may even advise you to turn to fish if your cat is gluttonous. In the same spirit, you can add cooked zucchini to his bowl!