Can Cats Eat Salmon Skin? Vet Approved Nutrition Facts & FAQ
By Lorre Luther
Updated on
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Cats are obligate carnivores whose digestive systems are optimized for extracting nutrients from small animals such as mice and birds. Their bodies also demand a few nutrients that are primarily found in protein sources that come from animals. Salmon is a nutritious protein option that’s loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and potassium.
Most healthy adult cats can have a few bites of plain, cooked salmon as a special treat, and salmon skin, provided it hasn’t been seasoned with anything potentially unhealthy or toxic, such as salt, onions, or garlic, can also be enjoyed occasionally.
You can also buy commercial salmon skin snacks that provide a healthy and tasty treat for your cat, and you don’t have to worry about whether they’ve been prepared in a feline-friendly way.
What Kinds of Nutrients Does Salmon Contain?
Several nutrients are in salmon, including vitamins, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Cats need animal protein to obtain several important nutrients. Their bodies are designed to thrive on meat; it’s likely one of the reasons cats don’t have such keen abilities to taste sweet things. They lack the enzymes required to process and digest carbohydrates. As a result, they rely primarily on animal protein for nutrition.
Salmon is full of healthy protein, which cats use for energy production. It also has omega-3 fatty acids that may support their skin and coat and help minimize inflammation. Taurine is another nutrient found in salmon that’s critical for eye and heart health. Wild salmon often has more protein than farmed fish, and farmed salmon sometimes has more nourishing fatty acids.
Cats need specific vitamins and nutrients for their bodies to operate smoothly. As healthy as salmon is, it’s not a complete source of dietary nutrition as it provides some, but not all, the nutrients cats require to be healthy. Commercial cat foods with an American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) statement on the packaging are generally solid nutritional choices as they contain nutrients carefully calibrated to support feline health.
Can Cats Just Snack on Salmon Skin?
Salmon skin has really high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help limit inflammation and encourage joint health. However, some suggest humans should limit the amount of salmon skin consumed as it’s high in pollutants and contaminants depending on its origin and whether it’s farmed or freshly caught, so you may want to do research into where any salmon you feed your cat comes from to determine if contaminants may be a concern.
When salmon skin is fed to cats, it should be cooked plain without added salt or seasonings. Cats get enough salt in their regular food, and eating a balanced diet is critical for optimal feline health. Garlic and onions are toxic to cats, and powdered onion and garlic are often added to season salmon. They can do serious harm in far smaller quantities than fresh products.
How Can Salmon Be Added to Cats’ Diets?
Healthy cats that are eating commercial cat food that provides a complete and balanced diet don’t need extras to stay healthy. In fact, they can become overweight if they regularly have high-calorie treats in addition to what they usually consume.
Speak with your veterinarian if you have concerns about whether your cat is getting all the nutrients they need with the food they’re currently eating, and keep in mind that veterinary advice should always be sought before making any changes to cats’ diets or adding supplements to their nutritional plans.
If you’re making salmon for yourself and want to give your cat an extra special treat, give them a small, unseasoned portion. Cooking methods such as baking and poaching are quick and easy and don’t add much fat to the end product.
FAQ
Can Cats Eat Raw Salmon?
Cats really should stay away from raw fish. Raw meat, fish, and eggs can contain bacteria that can make cats and people sick, so many veterinarians recommend that pets stick to well-cooked meat and fish.
Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon?
A bite or two of canned salmon packed in plain water probably won’t hurt most healthy adult cats, but plain-cooked salmon is a better choice. The same is generally true for tuna and other fish. Canned food is often loaded with salt and less nutritious than cooked fish.
Can Cats Be Allergic to Fish?
Feline food allergies occur, but they’re generally pretty rare. Some of the most common triggers include foods such as chicken, fish, beef, and other proteins. Diagnosing food allergies involves sticking to an elimination diet to identify the problem and selecting food with a protein source that doesn’t cause the cat’s immune system to go into overdrive.
Conclusion
Salmon skin is perfectly fine for cats to eat as long as it hasn’t been flavored with salt, garlic, onion powder, or anything else that has the potential to make cats seriously ill. Salmon is a mainstay in several commercial cat foods; it’s tasty, nutritious, and packed with protein and omega-3 fatty acids. There’s room in feline diets for a limited number of snacks. However, nutritious options like salmon skin and salmon should make up no more than about 10% of what cats generally eat.
See Also: Can Cats Eat Grapefruit? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: anantachai phothep, Shutterstock
