Can cats eat fish skin? Let’s see what the possible advantages or disadvantages related to the consumption of this food.
Unlike the dog, once the cat has had his meal he leaves us somewhat free to eat our meal, except in some rare exceptions that he assumes the same expression as Fido.
He stands in front of us waiting for something to fall into it or for us to yield in front of his sweet eyes. The cat assumes this position especially when it smells of fish.
Only in this case, being very greedy, he cannot resist. So the question we ask ourselves today is:
“ Can the cat eat fish skin? ”Let’s find out in the next paragraphs.
Can cats eat fish skin?
The cat can eat the skin of the fish, the answer is certainly yes, but under very specific conditions, namely that the cooking undergoes a process suitable for feeding the cat.
The fish must be boiled without adding any other type of spices, it must be cooked lightly and not completely. Suffice it to say that in nature the cat would never find a fully cooked fish.
The cat can feed on anything that is of animal origin, as it contains essential proteins for the feline’s diet.
In fact, the positive aspect of fish skin is that it contains the animal proteins that the cat needs to face the day.
The skin of the fish contains a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids can provide some significant health benefits.
Among the benefits present in the skin of the fish are the antioxidant properties, the regulation of the amount of water and salt in the cells, stimulates the growth of muscles, helps the cat to produce bile and is an excellent neurotransmitter.
Finally, it acts positively on the cells that make up the retina of the eye.
For the cat it is important to take proteins of animal origin, but then also followed by vitamins, minerals and fibers. While carbohydrates are not an important part of the cat’s diet therefore not a priority.
What to watch out for
As we have previously explained, the cat can eat the skin of the fish but it is necessary to pay close attention to the type.
Especially that it does not contain many histamines, compounds that are released by white blood cells to avoid inflammation.
Ingesting this in excessive amounts of this compound can cause an allergic reaction in the cat.
Histamine poisoning is the second most widespread food poisoning in the world after ciguatoxin poisoning, among those deriving from fish products.
In addition to histamine, we must also be careful of toxins, which fish collect from polluted rivers and seas, along with many other substances potentially harmful to our four-legged friends.
For example, PCBs and pesticides are two dangerous substances that concern all humans and animals a bit.
It is also important to remember that in some fish there are also heavy metals such as mercury and magnesium (particularly in swordfish) which can make ingestion dangerous, especially if excessive.
As we have been able to see, even if the feeding of our four-legged friends seems the simplest thing in the world, in the end instead it is necessary to have the same attention that we pay to our products.
This is because the contaminations and the various problems that a bad food can cause are more or less the same in both humans and animals.
To avoid damaging the body of our cat it is necessary to follow the instructions of the trusted veterinarian.
In fact, experts suggest a moderate consumption of fish for cats, taking care to avoid certain foods altogether, such as:
- marinated fish;
- salted, smoked or cooked in salt, an absolutely toxic food;
- canned tuna for cats and other canned fish for human use.
Always remember that there may be pre-existing diseases or breed characteristics that can negatively affect the possible ingestion of certain foods.
In any case, when in doubt, it is advisable to contact your trusted veterinarian.
