Cats are obligate carnivores. They eat a lot of different kinds of small animals in the wild, depending on what’s available. When they catch something, they eat the whole thing to get the most out of it. Cats’ main prey are small mammals and birds, and it is very uncommon for wild or domestic cats to catch fish. However, cats often eat fish, either as an ingredient in commercial pet food or when it’s cooked at home. But, can cats eat fish bones?.
Even though fish bones are safe for them, cats shouldn’t eat them because it’s thought to be unsafe. Fish bones can be dangerous and may lead to choking and other problems.
As cat owners, we want to pamper our furry friends with tasty treats. Salmon is a popular human food that many cats love. But when is it safe to share salmon with cats bones and all? I did extensive research to uncover the risks and benefits of feeding fish bones to cats. Here is a comprehensive guide to making informed decisions about salmon bones for your feline.
The Potential Risks of Salmon Bones
The primary risk with any fish bones for cats is choking or internal injury. Fish bones are small, brittle, and sharp. They can easily lodge in a cat’s throat or digestive tract. This can lead to choking, mouth/gum injuries, or intestinal damage if swallowed.
Salmon bones are relatively soft compared to other fish. However, they still pose this choking/injury hazard. Kittens and older cats are more likely to get hurt because they may not be able to chew as well. But even adult cats can fracture their teeth on harder salmon bones.
There is also a concern that raw salmon bones may contain parasites Freezing the fish can kill parasites, but cooking is the only way to fully eliminate the risk Even with thorough cooking, bones still have the potential to splinter and cause internal injury.
The Benefits of Salmon Bones
Smoked salmon bones can be good for cats, but cats shouldn’t eat them raw or whole. The bones are a good source of calcium, which helps cats’ bones and teeth stay healthy. This makes them an ideal treat for senior cats prone to calcium deficiency.
The bones also contain other key minerals cats need like phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Moderate chewing can help clean tartar off teeth and exercise jaw muscles Some cat owners claim bones aid digestion as well
So there are valid reasons you may want to share salmon bones with cats. The key is taking precautions to minimize choking and injury risks.
Safety Tips for Serving Salmon Bones to Cats
If you want to try giving your cat salmon bones, follow these tips to reduce risks:
- Cook fish thoroughly to soften bones and kill bacteria/parasites
- Remove larger backbone bones and stick to softer fin/rib bones
- Mash/grind/mince bones into a paste consistency
- Mix paste into wet cat food to create a smooth consistency
- Only feed small amounts of bone paste at a time
- Closely monitor your cat as they eat to watch for chewing issues
- Avoid giving bones to kittens or cats with dental problems
Cooking softens bones so they are less likely to splinter. Mashing further reduces hazard by conforming bones into the food. Mixing with wet food ensures a soft texture without choking risks from dry kibble.
Portion control and supervision are also key. Only give bones occasionally as treats, not daily meals. Watch your cat closely as they eat to ensure proper chewing and swallowing. Stop feeding immediately if you notice distress.
Vet Guidelines on Cats Eating Fish Bones
Many vets advise avoiding feeding fish bones to cats altogether. The risks may outweigh potential benefits unless precautions are taken. Always check with your own vet about diet recommendations.
Some vets approve giving cats very soft mashed salmon bones sparingly. Others recommend crushing shells/bones from shellfish like shrimp instead of fish bones to reduce hazards. But they stress bones should be an occasional treat or calcium supplement, not a dietary staple.
If your cat shows interest in bones, discuss options with your vet. They can assess any dental or choking risks for your individual cat. Some cats may have sensitivities requiring avoiding bones entirely. But for most healthy cats, infrequent cooked bone treats are reasonably safe with proper precautions.
To summarize, salmon bones can pose a hazard to cats if fed incorrectly. Raw whole bones are unsafe and should always be cooked and processed before feeding cats. But with proper preparation and precautions, occasional mashed bone treats are generally okay for healthy cats. Always get your vet’s approval first and closely supervise feedings. While nutritious, bones require care to avoid harming cats. With judicious use, they can provide cats enrichment without endangering health and safety.
What to Do if Your Cat Is Choking
If you think or know your cat is choking, the first thing you should do is check to see if something is blocking their airway and try to get rid of it. If you’re not sure if your cat is choking on a fishbone, open their mouths slowly and look. You can find any blockages by moving your index finger slowly around the mouth. Just be careful not to push any blockages further down the throat.
You may have to do a cat version of the Heimlich maneuver on the way to the vet if you can’t get the blockage out and are sure your cat can’t breathe. Even if you are able to get the bone or other object out of the way, you should still take your cat to an emergency vet clinic right away.
The Dangers of Fish Bones
Both raw and cooked fish bones pose a risk to cats. Cats can get fish bones stuck in their mouth, throat, esophagus, or anywhere else in their digestive tract if they don’t chew them up and swallow them whole. These are often very sharp and thin, and the fish bone can get stuck or poke through the tissues, which can be very bad. Bigger bones can get lodged in the throat and cause choking. Therefore, you should avoid feeding bones to your cat.
The size of fish bones depends on the size of the fish. Large fish have large bones, which can easily get lodged in the throat. Choose a fish that is size appropriate for your cat, and only feed smaller fish to your cat. At least try to take the bones out of the fish. However, your cat might be better at handling the small bones in sardines and mackerel than those in tuna.
When feeding your cat anything new, it is a good idea to supervise their first meal. This is especially true if you feed meat or fish containing bones. Of course, there is always a small chance that a bone will break, get stuck, or get stuck in their digestive tract.
RARE!! Cat eating salmon bones
FAQ
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