Can a nursing cat eat tunafish?

Question

I have anursing cat that had babies 2 days ago. i was wondering if i could give her some tunafish. Just a little bit.

She is on kitten food.

Answer 1

Hi there...Tuna should not be fed to any cats other than as a very rare occasional treat. Cats are primarily "obligate carnivores" and require a diet rich in animal meat proteins not soy proteins. Without the animal protein they suffer very serious ill medical effects and any vet can confirm this fact as well, which is why it's important not to convert them to become vegetarians.

Here's a link for HUMAN FOOD TO AVOID FOR CATS:
http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1276&articleid=1029

Here's a web article about Tuna and how it is toxic to cats: http://www.lenhumanesoc.org/Tips/ASPCA-Tuna.htm

"TUNA FOR CATS? NO!
Tuna can be fatal to cats and is not something to be fed to them...The human variety of tuna fish contains an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 (thiamine). Cats who regularly eat tuna can develop a vitamin B1 deficiency, which results in neurological symptoms like dilated eyes, loss of equilibrium, seizures and death if this vitamin is not replaced. The scientific name of this disease is polioencephlomalacia.

Clearwater veterinarian Richard Brancato said that though most domestic cats do enjoy fish, feeding them a diet of only tuna can cause serious disorders.

Although it is high in protein, tuna lacks sufficient amounts of certain amino acids, mainly taurine, to maintain feline health. There is insufficient calcium to balance the phosphorus; the ratio in canned tuna is 1-to-14.8. This results in bone disease.

Many essential vitamins such as A and most B vitamins are also lacking, Brancato said. A common disease in cats fed a mainstay of canned tuna is steatitis, or yellow fat disease, an inflammation of the fat tissue in the body due to a deficiency of vitamin E.

Source: St. Petersburg Times, published May 14, 2000"

Also see the answer "A Veterinarian" also wrote about why tuna shouldn't be fed to cats: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AroHFPGeBnOqJJ6y4cm3Zxfzy6IX?qid=20061018194725AAzYqfz

A Veterinarian wrote:...

Actually, it is [sic: bad for cats]

I've had to treat numerous cats over the years for pretty severe enteritis resulting from eating tuna meat. One of my own babies got so ill from it when someone else left it sitting out on the counter for 5 minutes while he turned his back to take a phone call, that I had to put her on IV fluids for 2 days, in addition to intestinal medications.

How many cats do you know who go swimming in the ocean to catch tuna and eat it as part of their natural diet???

Tuna-FLAVORED food....okay. Tuna meat.....bad.

I 'love' brownies....but that doesn't mean they're good for me. Cats also 'love' antifreeze....but we all know what it will do to them. :-/

The most you should do is to use the water that is drained off from the can of tuna (not the oil...for another reason), and drizzle it over their dry cat food once or twice a month. They'll think they died and went to cat heaven!....but without the danger.

Save the tuna meat for your sandwiches.

Source(s):
I'm a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with 20 yrs exp in private practice (27 total years in the profession.)

Answer 2

..do no longer supply the kittens cows milk! Cats are lactose illiberal you're doing them extra harm than stable! enable the mummy are available in the kittens are genetically equipped to handle something the rat could have had and the antibodies in the mothers physique will avert any an infection passing to the babies, cats have been eating rats when you consider that formerly we've been born so its no longer something to tension approximately, yet please..depart the milk in the refrigerator this is somewhat no longer stable for them!

Answer 3

Yes, a little as a treat. But her main diet should be KITTEN food to get her adequate nourishment for her babies.

Answer 4

YES she can!! She needs all the extra protein you can give her, since she is a nursing mother. Just not to much!! But I am sure she will love the treat :)

Answer 5

tuna.. and all fish, is VERY bad for cats - high in calcium, which is linked to cause urinary tract problems

tuna is high in mercury so isnt good for any pet anyhow.. but all fish is bad for cats

Answer 6

Yeah, Just a little bit, She deserves it =)

Answer 7

of course !!!what do they eat in the wild ...I'm sure far worse and much less //// don't worry your cat knows what to do