Is it OK for my cat to eat tuna salad that has hot chilli pepper sauce in it?

Question

He begged for it while I was eating it but I figured he wouldn't actually eat it when he found out it was that hot...it's Bumble Bee brand Spicy Thai Chili Tuna salad with crackers. He ate about a tablespoon full and didn't seem to want water after or anything.

Answer 1

I have had cats that liked spicy. It won't hurt him unless he has a delicate stomach by the way. Do not ,however, make a habit of feeding the cat tuna. The stuff is highly addictive to kitties and cn put them off their own more balanced food. The fatty acids in the tuna can (if consumed in any quantity) create a painful skin condition called steatis.

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showpost.php?p=71659&postcount=7

Answer 2

Chances are, if you called and asked a vet that you would be told not to feed the cat anything with spices or chili in it. Why would you want to take a chance that he'd have stomach upset, vomit, or have some other problem. Also, why you would want to take a chance that it couild really make him seriously sick. There are some foods that can be devastating to pets. Why would you want to feed him something that you think may make him so uncomfortable he may be looking for water. Besides, a cat may not know that the uncomfortable feeling spicy stuff can give a tongue can be helped with water.

He wanted the tuna while you were eating it because he smelled that it was tuna.

It is quite possible the salad won't do anything awful to the cat, but why would you take a chance. Look up pet food sites that tell you how to gradually change the cat's food if you want to change it because it can cause digestive problems if you don't do it gradually. That, alone, tells you it could be an issue.

Buy a cheap can of "people tuna" to keep around for the next time you're eating the salad-stuff. Give him straight tuna. (Someone on here says if you give them tuna they'll refuse other stuff. That isn't true. I've always given cats "people tuna" as a treat occasionally, and they always just go back to their regular food.)

Maybe letting the cat have this spicy stuff once won't do any real harm, but its your job to keep him safe from being sick or made uncomfortable. If you didn't think he'd eat the salad once he found it spicy why would you tease him with it? Again, buy some cheap "people tuna" to keep on hand for times when he thinks there's tuna to be shared.

Answer 3

He wanted the tuna while you were eating it because he smelled that it was tuna.

It is quite possible the salad won't do anything awful to the cat, but why would you take a chance. Look up pet food sites that tell you how to gradually change the cat's food if you want to change it because it can cause digestive problems if you don't do it gradually. That, alone, tells you it could be an issue.

Buy a cheap can of "people tuna" to keep around for the next time you're eating the salad-stuff. Give him straight tuna. (Someone on here says if you

Answer 4

Didn't say wheter the cat was male or female. I agree with offkey as well. I inherited a male cat who's owner fed him people tuna on a regular basis. Christmas eve he spent several hours just laying in the litter box. Rushed to vet, emergency surgery, otherwise vet said he would have been dead shortly. It is not good for their urinary tract. He couldn't pee because it was blocked. That alone was excruciatingly painful. And always check the ash content on the back of the cat food cans as well. Should be as low as possible. Didn't get a chance to read rest of answers yet, but I'm sure others have told you same. Cat's digestive systems are different. Although well meaning, people have a tendency to kill their pets with kindness.

Answer 5

I don't like spicy food. However, whenever I do eat the occasional Chicken Quesadilla (sp?) from Taco Bell, I put some fire sauce on (the others taste sweet). But, I rarely eat Taco Bell. Otherwise, when I order a salad with chicken, lettuce, black beans, tomatoes and corn (absolutely nothing else!), I put some Tabasco on top. It compliments the flavors really well. But I rarely eat that too. So, overall, my two answers would probably be: Taco Bell's fire sauce (in the packets) and Tabasco (the original kind).

Answer 6

Once is enough.......a cat's kidneys and probably their digestive tract cannot tolerate spicy/ hot foods. I do not think once would cause a problem, but over time it would most definitely. By the way, those tuna/cracker combos from Bumble Bee are pretty good and healthy ...but for you.

Answer 7

Why are you asking? The deed is already done, just watch closely for the next few days, if kitty shows any unusual signs get it to the vet. From now on, you be the boss and know better, would you let a child play in the street just because it was begging you to let it? Use your good common sense and don't feed your kitty anything that's not made especially for kitties and use only good products at that. Good luck hope your kitty does okay in spite of this.

Answer 8

Be careful about what you feed your cat with.

We used to give our cat canned tuna (in water, not oil). She loved it! Well, she is dead, now. She had liver problems, caused by the tuna. They put something in the cans that cats can't handle very well. We didn't know it at the time! We didn't even feed her with tuna a lot. Just once in a while.

Anyway. Just be careful. They don't have the same digestive system as human beings. Also, some cat food brands are not very good for cats' liver either. Ask your veterinarian nexy time you go see him. Or 'm sure you can find info on what's good for them on websites dedicated to cats' wellbeing. Just be careful those sites are not created by a cat food company.

And since we are talking about cats: have you ever seen the video where cats talk? Well, it's ok if it does it by himself. But if you're scratching the end of his back (close to its tail), it's dangerous for the cat. My sister used to scratch her cat there because her cat loved it (which is unusual, actually), and she had to take her to the doctor because she starting having nervous problems! She had to give her pills!

Answer 9

In the first place, it is not good for a cat to eat people tuna. Ask a vet, he will confirm this.

The fish used in regular cans of tuna is not the same as that in cat food. Forget the peppers, it's the tuna that can harm your cat.

Answer 10

Some animals don't feel hot the way we do...birds for instance. They get hot peppers in their mix & it doesn't seem to bother them. I am not sure about cats, but they usually don't eat anything that they don't like. Next time at the vets ask, or just watch his litter box for a day or so!