Why
Salmon is one of the fish veterinarians are happiest to see in a cat's treat bowl. PetMD's veterinary guide on human foods for cats names salmon among the fish cats love, and recommends oily fish over white fish such as cod. Salmon brings animal protein, which an obligate carnivore needs, and it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which PetMD's salmon guide links to skin, coat and eye health.
Salmon still has to be prepared for a cat rather than for a person. The fillet that ends up on a dinner plate is usually salted, buttered, glazed with soy sauce or cooked with garlic, and every one of those additions is a reason to cook a separate plain piece instead. Salmon is also a treat, not a meal: a cat needs a complete cat food for its vitamins, minerals and taurine, and the Cornell Feline Health Center advises keeping treats to about 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
What to watch out for
- Raw salmon, sashimi and sushi, which can carry bacteria and parasites
- Small bones, which can cause choking or injure the gut
- Smoked salmon and lox, which are very high in salt
- Canned salmon, which adds sodium and may contain oil or flavorings
- Seasonings such as salt, butter, soy sauce, garlic and onion
- Signs of a fish allergy, such as itching, overgrooming, vomiting or diarrhea
How to serve it
- Cook a plain piece of salmon all the way through by baking, steaming or poaching it with nothing added.
- Let the salmon cool, then check carefully for bones with your fingers as you flake it.
- Offer a pinch or two on its own, or scatter it over your cat's regular food.
- Introduce salmon slowly the first time and watch for an upset stomach or itchy skin over the next day or two.
- Keep salmon as an extra. Your cat's main meals should still be a complete and balanced cat food.
How much?
PetMD's salmon guide suggests offering a pinch or two at a time, and its guide to human foods for cats puts a reasonable daily treat at about a 1-inch cube of properly prepared fish for a healthy adult cat. All treats together should stay within about 10 percent of your cat's daily calories.
Why raw salmon is a bad idea for cats
Raw salmon carries risks that cooking removes. PetMD's salmon guide warns that raw salmon can carry E. coli and Salmonella, as well as a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola, and the Cornell Feline Health Center does not recommend raw meat as a food or treat for cats because of toxoplasmosis and other infections.
Raw fish raises one more concern for cats. Raw fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (vitamin B1), and a cat that eats a lot of raw fish over time could become deficient in a vitamin it cannot do without. Cooking destroys the enzyme. A cat that steals a slice of sashimi from the table is unlikely to be harmed by one bite, but raw fish should never become a habit.
Smoked, canned and salted salmon
Salmon products made for people are usually much saltier than a plain fillet. PetMD's salmon guide advises against smoked salmon because of its high sodium content, and against canned salmon because it adds sodium and may contain oil, sugar or spices. Salt-grilled salmon, a common lunchbox dish in East Asia, falls into the same group.
Salmon fried rice, salmon onigiri and salmon cream sauces are also better kept off the cat's menu. These dishes combine salty fish with rice, butter, cream or onions, and the fish itself is the only part a cat actually wants. Set aside a plain piece before you season anything.
Bones and skin
Salmon bones are small and easy to miss, and PetMD's salmon guide treats them as a real hazard: a bone can make a cat choke, or lodge in or puncture the digestive tract. Flake the fish by hand rather than cutting it with a knife, because your fingers will find pin bones that a blade slides past.
Salmon skin is acceptable in moderation if it is cooked and unseasoned, according to PetMD's salmon guide, but raw skin should be avoided. Crispy pan-fried skin is usually salted and oily, so a plain baked piece is the better choice.
- Repeated gagging, pawing at the mouth or drooling after eating fish
- Vomiting, especially if it happens more than once
- Refusing food, a hunched posture or a painful belly
- Straining in the litter box, or blood in the stool
Common questions
Is salmon good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Salmon is one of the fish veterinarians are happiest to see in a cat's treat bowl. PetMD's veterinary guide on human foods for cats names salmon among the fish cats love, and recommends oily fish over white fish such as cod.
Is salmon bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: raw salmon, sashimi and sushi, which can carry bacteria and parasites.
Are cats allowed to have salmon?
Yes. Cook a plain piece of salmon all the way through by baking, steaming or poaching it with nothing added.
Can cats eat salmon skin?
Cats can eat a little cooked salmon skin if it has no salt, oil or seasoning, according to PetMD's salmon guide. Raw salmon skin should be avoided. Crispy restaurant-style skin is usually fried and salted, so it is better not to share it.
Is salmon cat food the same as salmon from the kitchen?
No. A salmon-flavored cat food labeled complete and balanced has been formulated with everything a cat needs, while kitchen salmon is just fish. Plain cooked salmon is fine as a small extra, but it does not replace a complete diet.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Salmon? Is Salmon Good for Cats? (April Saylor; reviewed by Jo Cornett, DVM)
- PetMD. What Human Food Can Cats Eat? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.