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It is not recommended to feed cats raw fish. Raw animal foods can carry bacteria, viruses and parasites that may infect cats and people. Some seafood also contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1 (thiamine); cooking destroys this enzyme. For a cat’s main diet, choose a commercially prepared food labeled complete and balanced for the cat’s life stage.
Why veterinary guidance discourages raw fish
Cornell University’s Feline Health Center says raw or gently cooked diets can contain viable bacteria, viruses and parasites, and that a clear health benefit has not been established. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) likewise discourages raw or undercooked animal-source protein, including fish, because of risks to animal and human health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: “CDC does not recommend feeding raw pet food or treats to dogs and cats.”
The risk is not limited to the cat’s bowl. Raw food can contaminate hands, utensils, counters, floors and other food-contact surfaces, allowing organisms to reach people or other animals.
Two separate concerns with raw fish
Infectious contamination
Raw fish may contain disease-causing organisms. A cat can become ill, and a person can be exposed while handling the food or cleaning contaminated surfaces. Cats can also shed some pathogens without appearing sick.
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The FDA’s Vet-LIRN summary of a 2014 study tested 196 commercially available raw dog and cat food samples. These results describe that tested sample, not raw fish specifically and not the likelihood that any individual cat or household will become ill.
| Finding in the 196-sample study | Positive samples | Share of tested samples |
|---|---|---|
| Salmonella | 15 | 7.7% |
| Listeria monocytogenes | 32 | 16.3% |
| Non-O157:H7 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) | 10 | Not stated in the FDA summary as a percentage |
Thiaminase and vitamin B1
Some seafood contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine. Inadequate thiamine can cause serious illness in cats. The CDC explains that cooking breaks down thiaminase, preventing this specific risk. The evidence does not establish that every fish species contains the enzyme or quantify the risk from one bite, so a species-by-species or single-serving safety claim cannot be made.
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- Real salmon and ocean whitefish premium dry cat food featuring real salmon as the number 1 ingredient with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
- High protein cat food that delivers 38 percent protein to support strong lean muscles, including a healthy heart
- Natural cat food high in omega-6 fatty acids to support a healthy skin and coat
- Easily digestible cat kibble dry food offering 100 percent nutrition, 0 percent fillers and no artificial flavors or preservatives
- Great tasting adult cat food – deliciously crunchy bites from Purina ONE, a veterinarian-recommended brand
Does freezing make raw fish safe?
No. Freezing, freeze-drying and dehydrating raw animal protein may reduce germs but do not kill all germs that may be present, according to the CDC and FDA. These methods should not be treated as sterilization.
What should a cat eat instead?
Use a commercially prepared cat food labeled complete and balanced for the cat’s life stage as the main diet. Such foods are formulated to provide the required nutrient balance; fish-based ingredients do not make a food unsafe when the product is properly formulated and fed as directed.
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- Real salmon and ocean whitefish premium dry cat food featuring real salmon as the number 1 ingredient with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
- High protein cat food that delivers 38 percent protein to support strong lean muscles, including a healthy heart
- Natural cat food high in omega-6 fatty acids to support a healthy skin and coat
- Easily digestible cat kibble dry food offering 100 percent nutrition, 0 percent fillers and no artificial flavors or preservatives
- Great tasting adult cat food – deliciously crunchy bites from Purina ONE, a veterinarian-recommended brand
The reviewed veterinary and public-health guidance does not establish one universal safe portion or frequency for cooked-fish treats. If you want to offer cooked fish, ask your veterinarian about an amount and preparation appropriate for your individual cat, and do not use fish intended for people as a replacement for a complete cat food.
Why human canned fish is not a cat diet
Cornell reports that some cats eating canned fish products made for people have developed potentially serious neurological disorders. This does not mean every human canned-fish product causes that problem, but it is a reason not to feed human canned fish as a complete diet. Human products may also fail to provide the nutrient balance cats require.
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If your cat has eaten raw fish
- Remove the remaining food and wash hands, bowls and food-contact surfaces thoroughly.
- Do not induce vomiting or give medications unless a veterinarian instructs you to.
- Contact your veterinarian for advice, especially if the fish was spoiled, the amount was large, or the cat is very young, elderly, pregnant or immunocompromised.
- Seek prompt veterinary care for vomiting, diarrhea, marked lethargy, loss of appetite, weakness, tremors, trouble walking, seizures or other unusual signs.
A veterinarian can assess the fish, the amount eaten, the cat’s health and any symptoms; there is no evidence-based universal “safe raw fish serving” to apply at home.
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