is canned tuna safe to feed your cat?

Answer 1

HI there...tuna in fact isn't good for cats. Here's an article on why:

Here's a web article about Tuna and how it is toxic to cats (again any vet can confirm this fact as well):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"

Here's another answer by a veterinarian just recently about the dangers of tuna: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnXV7g3jq309q2QXly7n9WLsy6IX?qid=20061018194725AAzYqfz

A Veterinarian Answered:

Actually, it is.

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

Can Cats Eat Canned Tuna

Answer 3

Is Tuna Bad For Cats

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
is canned tuna safe to feed your cat?

Answer 5

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My kitten (runt of the litter) loved tuna and outgrew his siblings. The reason he was a runt was his losing the fight for mama cat's milk. He out grew all of them, and when I took him back home he would not let them eat at the bowl until he was done. I gave him a 6oz. can of tuna a week, but he mostly munches on Purina nibbles. It's human tuna (Starkist) at $.39. It's cheaper than most canned cat food and I eat it in a pinch.

Answer 6

Some people are just ridiculous....cat food isn't really all that healthy..and cat's have done without kibble for thousands of years and are o.k......Feed the tuna as a treat, but not as a meal replacement(diarhea).

Answer 7

Cats love it as a treat once in a while. Just make sure it is the kind packed in water, not oil. Also, just give him a bit, too much of anything is not good...like if you're opening a can to make a tuna sandwich, I'm sure kitty would love a bit!

Answer 8

My cat eats a tuna table spoon every morning + his regular dry food (Fancy Feast Turkey) and I've been doing this for years (6yrs.) and my cat fur is beautiful, he is healthy, plays, jumps, run, sleep ... no complains here.

Answer 9

It is fine however, make sure your getting tuna packed in water. The oil could upset their stomach. Also, don't cheap out on the tuna... if you won't eat it don't feed it to your cat.

Answer 10

once in awhile is ok but not too often due to the fact that tuna contains high quantities of magnesium which causes urinary tract problems so may be twice a month at the most