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Pawrennial

Can cats eat tuna?

Only with care.

A small amount of plain canned tuna in water is OK as an occasional treat for adult cats. But tuna shouldn't be a regular part of the diet: it's high in mercury, isn't nutritionally complete, and cats can get hooked on it and refuse their own food.

Why not tuna every day?

  • Mercury: tuna is higher in mercury than most fish, and it builds up over time
  • Unbalanced: human tuna lacks nutrients cats need, and a tuna-heavy diet low in vitamin E can cause a painful fat inflammation called steatitis
  • Picky eating: some cats love tuna so much they refuse their complete cat food

How to share tuna safely

  • Choose chunk light tuna packed in water, which is lower in mercury than albacore
  • No added salt, oil, brine, mayonnaise, onion, or seasoning
  • A teaspoon or so, no more than about once a week, within 10 percent of daily calories
  • Never raw tuna

What about tuna cat food?

Complete cat foods with tuna are formulated to be balanced. Even so, vets often suggest rotating flavors rather than feeding only fish-based food every day.

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Frequently asked questions

Can kittens eat tuna?

It's best to wait until your cat is an adult. Kittens need their complete growth food.

Can cats drink tuna water?

A little water from tuna packed in water (no salt added) is fine as a rare treat. Never the oil or brine.

Is albacore tuna OK for cats?

Albacore contains about three times more mercury than chunk light tuna, so light tuna is the better choice.

Sources

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