Can Cats Eat Raw Salmon?

It is not recommended for cats to eat raw salmon.

A type of ray-finned fish, salmon contains substantial amounts of animal-based protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin B12. As long as your cat isn’t allergic to fish, she may occasionally eat a small amount of cooked salmon as a treat. Eating too much of it may result in vitamin E deficiency caused by the fatty acids. 

Raw salmon, on the other hand, is not recommended for cat consumption because of its potential risks. First, toxic parasites or bacteria may be found in it. Examples include E. coli and salmonella, which are known to cause food poisoning. Second, the enzyme thiaminase found in raw salmon can lead to vitamin B1 deficiency.

What to do if your cat accidentally eats raw salmon: Observe your cat closely for any changes in her eating, drinking, sleeping, and toilet habits as well as her behaviour. Aside from these, contact your veterinarian if she displays any of these symptoms: salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, twitching and fitting, difficulty in breathing, shock or collapse, skin inflammation or swelling, and depression or coma.

In summary: There are many risks associated with feeding raw salmon to your cat. If you are considering giving your cat raw salmon, be sure to get your veterinarian’s approval before doing so. Remember to ask for the recommended serving size and frequency based on your cat’s size, age, weight, and activity levels. 

Instead of feeding your cat raw salmon, why not feed him cooked meat as a safer alternative? Discover which animal-based protein you can give your pet cat by reading this blog post. Or better yet, browse through our “can cats eat” category.

References:

People Foods Cats Can Eat

Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat

Can My Cat Eat That? 30 Foods Cats Can and Can’t Eat

Can Cats Eat Salmon? What You Need to Know!

Poisoning in Cats