Is Tuna Fish Good For Cats ?

Answer 1

Hi there again...actually it's very bad for cats even if it's canned in water. 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 Dr. 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, Dr. 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"
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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

Is Tuna Good For Cats

Answer 3

Is Tuna Bad For Cats

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is Tuna Fish Good For Cats ?

Answer 5

A little bit of tuna is okay as a treat. But alot is bad. Tuna has omega fatty acids far to high for them will clog thier livers and cause kidney issues. I do not feed my cats any tuna and if i want a tuna sandwich and they keep meowing cause of the smell I will take tuna water and let them drink a tiny bit of it as a treeat but not very often. My cats eat food only sold at pet stores its high in the meat protiens they need and low in the fillers. Please be sure to pick the best food for them, also the better food cuts back on the bad urine and stool smells in thier litter box. I only give my cats dry food so that also helps and make sure you have Fresh water EVERY day.

Answer 6

Yes. The packed in water kind is very good. Has lots of protein. Tuna can have levels of mercury that might be harmful if fed too often to small animals like cats, but a treat every now and then won't hurt. We feed raw beef liver to our cats as a treat, too.

Our cat with the feline AIDS does well with a tablespoon of raw beef liver every morning, too. He gained weight and has a much better disposition. He nearly died ten years ago from feline AIDS, but is still alive as of today and very much in control of the household.

Answer 7

Tuna is an important source of protein, minerals & vitamins for many known animals. It is safe & extremely important for a cats growth. As for your question yes its is good. Believe me your cat will be more then happy for the tuna dish that you gave to it.

Answer 8

If it's tuna in oil (not spring water) it's good for longhair cats to prevent furballs in the gut.

Answer 9

My kitties get a teaspoon of tuna a day. It's a treat for them. By no means is it the bulk of their diet.

Answer 10

makes my cat throw up - so he doesn't get it