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It’s hard to separate cats from fish.
The smell of it alone is surely enough to get your feline friend up and running for a piece.
The truth is salmon is quite a healthy, delicious food packed with nutrients and vitamins.
It’s also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids, which is good for your heart.
No wonder so many people love it.
But is salmon also a superfood for cats?
If you are fond of salmon and find it difficult to resist the urge to share it with your cat, it is best to know whether it’s good for cats.
Is salmon good for cats or not?
This is probably the reason why you are here today.
As a pet parent, you care deeply for your cat and want to ensure they do not eat food that will potentially cause problems.
Cats adore fish and will stop at nothing to get a taste of salmon.
Since you already know they are carnivorous creatures that need meat, it might make sense to feed them salmon.
Well, not really.
You can let your cat eat salmon but in moderation.
Many cats find salmon to be very delicious, and they especially love the pungent smell.
Giving salmon to your cat regularly might not be a good idea.
For one thing, salmon alone will not offer proper nutrition for your kitty.
Cats need protein and vitamins from other types of meat to meet their daily nutritional requirements.
Furthermore, it’s easy for cats to get addicted and refuse to eat different foods.
Too much of anything is ultimately dangerous for your feline furball.
Even when your kitty comes pleading, make it a point to serve salmon as only a special treat.
This fish is good and nutritious for cats when given in moderation.
Can my cat eat cooked salmon?
Yes, cooked salmon is actually good for cats.
In that case, the best way your cat can enjoy a salmon treat is when it’s properly cooked.
In addition to the great flavor, cooked salmon comes with an abundance of nutrients and vitamins like the omega 3, 6 fatty acids, vitamin B12, vitamin A, potassium, niacin, and selenium.
With that said, the way you cook the salmon is crucial.
High temperatures or deep frying tends to minimize the nutritional value of the fish.
On the other hand, when you opt to cook at low, regulated temperatures, much of the nutrients are retained.
Choose your cooking method wisely.
Besides, deep frying involves a lot of oil that makes the salmon unhealthy for your kitty.
Roasting, poaching, grilling, or boiling will help with retaining both the juices and nutrients.
When cooking, don’t use any strong additives and seasonings.
The ingredients to avoid the most are onions, garlic, and leeks.
These are toxic ingredients that can lead to devastating health complications in cats.
It’s best to skip all the seasoning, including salt.
Your kitty does not need them anyways.
Can my cat eat raw salmon?
There are no doubt cats, and other carnivorous animals have digestive systems designed to take on raw meat and even raw fish.
When thinking of raw meat diets for your cat, salmon might spontaneously pop into your mind.
But is it really safe for your cat to eat raw salmon?
Am afraid it’s not.
Raw salmon can potentially contain parasites, and these pose a health risk for your cat.
Cats should not eat raw fish at any time.
The fish you buy in the stores or supermarkets might not be quite healthy for your pet cat.
It might have been there for at least two weeks, even with the fresh label on it.
Stored fish tends to form pathogens and bacteria easily.
Giving it raw to your cat means he or she will be consuming those bacteria.
Needless to say, there will be some repercussions.
Thankfully, cooking eliminates the bacteria through high temperatures.
Canned salmon vs. smoked salmon: What’s better?
Before smoking, salmon is prepared by curing in a salt solution.
The curing process can go on for about 8 hours.
Basically, curing is infusing lots of salt in the salmon flesh for preservation purposes.
Smoking works to remove all the moisture from the fish.
In that case, there are two things to think about when it comes to smoked salmon.
Firstly, there is too much salt, hence high sodium content, which is not good for your feline friend.
Secondly, there is absolutely no natural moisture.
Moving on swiftly, is canned salmon the healthier choice?
Sadly, it’s not.
Canned food products consist of heavily processed ingredients and artificial preservatives.
Unfortunately, none of these will do your cat any good as they are harmful.
Moreover, canned salmon also contains lots of salt that are meant for preservation.
Too much salt is a leading contributor to hypernatremia in cats (electrolyte imbalance).
You might want to stick with boiled, grilled, or poached salmon for your fur baby.
How much salmon should I give?
Moderation is key.
Giving salmon too often will lead to addiction, and the cat will not want any other foods.
Stick to tiny portions once a week.
The best decision would be only to serve it as a special treat.
You might have to learn to say no to your kitty every now and then, especially when it comes to salmon.
What would you prefer to do?
Satisfy her demands or ensure she remains healthy at all times?
Well, it’s for their own good, after all.
Final word
While it should not overtake a healthy diet, it’s alright to give your fur baby salmon once in a while.
Once a week in small amounts should be fine for most cats but do not go overboard.
Don’t let the cat get to a point she’s addicted to salmon and doesn’t want anything else.
Furthermore, this fish doesn’t provide all the vital nutrients your cat requires.
Also, ensure the salmon is properly cooked using the right methods.
