Something seems strange! A few against immediately feeding your catfish.
Despite the fact that he could crave it at the first mention of its aroma, fish isn’t the ideal food for your cat. When eaten frequently or in big quantities, fish can actually be more harmful to your cat’s health than healthy. Continue reading to learn more justifications for why you should think carefully before giving your cat anything that involves fish.
Allergenic and addictive fish
Along with chicken, fish is a protein that cats can develop an addiction to, so the more fish you give your cat, the more he’ll want it. Cats did not, however, truly evolve to consume fish. Their desert-dwelling ancestors largely survived on little rodents because they had no access to water where they could hunt for fish.
When a protein is fed frequently over an extended period of time, allergies to it may form. The same can be said about fish, which is really one of the cat food ingredients that aggravates allergies the most. Allergies, which induce inflammation, can manifest in a variety of ways, and because their underlying causes are frequently unclear, many of their symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. It’s vital to rotate proteins and significantly reduce the amount of fish in your pet’s food because fish allergies can lead to skin conditions and respiratory problems like asthma.
Fish Present a Risk of Deficiency
Fish eating has the potential to cause allergies as well as vitamin E and thiamine deficiencies. Thiamine deficiency can result in death, seizures, and loss of appetite. A vitamin E deficiency can also result in steatitis, often known as yellow fat disease, which can be fatal if left untreated.
The Toxin Content in Fish Can Be High
Due to global pollution, fish is becoming one of the most contaminated food sources. Today, hazardous metals like mercury, pesticides like DDT, and chemicals like dioxin and PCBs are regularly found in a wide variety of fish, especially large species like tuna and salmon.
Ethoxyquin, a cancer-causing preservative that is also susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, is regularly found in fish meal. The scary part is that this preservative is often added to raw fish before it is shipped to a manufacturer of pet foods, which means that the final product’s label may not disclose its presence. If you want to know if a product is devoid of ethoxyquin, ask the manufacturer if it contains fish meal.
Too Much Iodine in the Fish
Iodine is a vitamin that the body needs in order to function effectively, to keep the thyroid healthy, and to fend off disease, but too much of it can lead to hyperthyroidism. Since fish is a rich source of iodine, many pet food manufacturers make it a point to add extra iodine to their feeds to ensure that your cat is getting enough. As a result, giving your cat too much fish may cause an excess of iodine to build up in their bodies, increasing their chance of acquiring the difficult-to-treat condition of hyperthyroidism.
Fish Problems Can Affect the Urinary Tract
Fish, which are also high in magnesium, may aid in the formation of struvite crystals, which are crystals of magnesium phosphate ammonium. Since they are fed the incorrect food, many cats are affected by this problem. To reduce your cat’s risk of contracting this painful and potentially fatal condition, avoid feeding them dry food, meals high in grains and carbohydrates, and meals based on fish.
Does your cat have a fish that it can eat without becoming sick?
According to Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your cat’s health. The right varieties of fish can be fed in moderation to provide these fatty acids. The best sardines to feed your cat are those that are packed in water, but you should be aware that they can contain a lot of salt. As a result, you should avoid purchasing any sardines that have salt added to them and should only feed your cat them occasionally. Even so, wild-caught salmon is a fantastic option. Dr. Becker advises supplementing your cat’s diet with krill oil to offer omega-3 fatty acids if you decide to fully cut out fish.
