Why do cats love seafood

It also contains too much phosphorus and it can contain high levels of mercury and other toxins. Apart from being very rich in iodine and other ingredients that are harmful to the cats if fed on a regular basis or in huge doses, fish also does not have all the required minerals and vitamins for a healthy and balanced diet. It may be high in protein, but it lacks vitamin B and vitamin E.

Also, the nutritional values of fish greatly depends on where it lived. Some fishes are raised in unhealthy sources of water, which can be full of sewage and pollutants. What it all comes down to is that if your cat likes fish, it is definitely a great addition to their diet - when it only makes up a part of your cats diet, and you mostly feed them with other sources of protein.

Although you often see cats eating raw fish in cartoons, cooking the fish might be a good idea to prevent your cat from getting parasites. Those who prefer feeding their cats with tuna or other fish in oil may put their lovable pet in danger, as oiled products like tuna are not commercial, regular cat foods.

They consist of a large number of polyunsaturated fats, which promote pancreatitis also called yellow-fat disease. Yes, just like humans, cats also need fatty acids to keep them healthy. The cat's body can not synthesize docosahexaenoic acid DHA , eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and arachidonic acid AA , so they need to get these from the food they eat.

Omega-3 fatty acids have many health benefits when it comes to your cat. They keep the coat glossy and shiny, but they may also reduce inflammatory conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and some skin diseases. They may also reduce the risk of cancer. Tuna and salmon are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, but unfortunately, they are high in mercury. Other smaller fish like cod, flounder and halibut have less mercury in them, making them a good choice too.

Although fish is a great source of protein, taurine, and fatty acids, it also contains some harmful toxins like mercury. It also often contains an enzyme called the thiaminase, which destroys the thiamine that cats need. A thiamine deficiency might damage the cat's nervous system, although developing the deficiency would require feeding your cat with fish every day for long periods of time.

Eating too much fish may also risk developing urinary tract infections or hyperthyroidism in your cat. The recommendation is that you don't feed fish to your cat more than two or three times a week. Domestic cats, however, are great opportunists and are willing to try anything at least once, if my cat is any indication. Fish has a strong and distinctive odour, so it seems reasonable to assume that cats are attracted by its smell and then decide: hey, this stuff tastes pretty good.

If small wildcats and their domestic cousins develop a taste for seafood, they could obtain it through thievery. No wetting of paws is necessary. Turkish Van cats love swimming and will join you in the bath. Even British moggies quite like water, especially for cooling in the summer. When I lived in Kiribati , a small archipelago in the equatorial Pacific, my cats used to bring me gifts of live eels they had caught on the reef.

They would also follow me into the shallow water on the reef when I went out net fishing at night, so they had obviously overcome their dislike of water.

Their natural ancestor is from the desert, so it is unlikely that this wildcat enjoyed swimming. As a result of those origins, most cats' fur absorbs water, making it harder to dry out and groom after. Contrary to the norm, some cats do love water. The Bengal and Maine Coon are two breeds that are known exceptions.

And w hile most cats love fish but aren't keen on fishing, there are a few exceptions from the feline world worth pointing out:. Prionailurus viverrinus , commonly known as the Fishing Cat, is a medium-sized wild cat from Asia that appeared around the same time as the Leopard. This wild cat lives near water and can swim long distances. It has been spotted fishing along the riverbanks and sometimes diving to catch prey in further distances. Unlike other large felines, a Fishing Cats' diet can be up to three-quarters fish.

The remainder of their diet consists of small mammals, birds, and insects. Other wild cats that have been seen hunting for fish are Leopards and Jaguars , who also love water. Though a fish-only diet is not suitable for cats, the addition of fish in your cat's diet is a fine choice if your cat prefers it.

According to Veterinarian Dr. As with all dietary decisions for your cat, be sure to consult with your veterinarian first. Let's analyze some of the benefits and things to consider when it comes to feeding your cat fish.

Fish is an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and taurine, all which are essential for a healthy cat diet. That being said, the nutritional content varies between fish varieties, with some fish types being healthier options than others. Explore more information about the cautions and benefits of different fish varieties so you can make the best diet decisions for your cat. Unlike the Fishing Cat, domestic cats' digestive system isn't built for processing fish.

Domestic cats hunt birds and small mammals and the majority of cats hate water. Cats take advantage of the situation they are in and when they are offered food, they will take it. As cats have been around humans for thousands of years they will have been eating scraps of fish throughout that time too. Eating fish from humans is an easy food source that allows cats to save energy by not going hunting. Cats are obligate carnivores so they need to eat primarily meat, fish falls under this category and offers a good source of taurine as well as amino acids.

However, it is important to know that fish does lack certain vitamins and minerals and it contains high levels of toxins such as mercury. This is why it is important to only offer your cat small amounts of fish.

Tuna and salmon are often popular choices, these fish are a good source of Omega-3 but they are high levels of mercury. Smaller fish such as halibut, cod, flounder and anchovies are a better option. It is advised that you avoid feeding your cat raw fish as there can be health issues when feeding raw fish and there is also an increased risk of parasites.