It’s no secret to anyone that cats love fish, but while there are many different types of fish you can feed them, there are also many different ways to prepare that fish. Rather than giving cats raw fish or tuna, many pet parents have wondered if they can give their cats dried fish instead. Overall, dried fish isn’t bad for cats, but that doesn’t mean they should be eating it all the time. After all, just because cats love a certain dish doesn’t mean that the food is good for them, and you need to consider how healthy a food is before feeding it to your furry family members.
Let’s Look at the Facts
For starters, dried fish isn’t bad for your cat. It has a lot of protein in it and is considered just as safe as raw fish or meat. That being said, giving your cat too much dried fish can actually make them dehydrated. The thing is, just like humans, cats need a healthy, well-balanced diet that consists of a varied menu so that they don’t receive too much of one nutrient and not enough of another.
It also matters where and how the fish is made. The preservation process normally means that all of the nutritional advantages remain, but not all manufacturing companies are the same. Researching the company is important because some companies use a process that doesn’t maintain the food values properly or is filled with toxic chemicals so that the fish can last a long time. Both of these things can be unhealthy and even dangerous for your cat.
If you purchase the dried fish from a reputable company, these things won’t be a problem. Food safety is important when the dried fish is being manufactured, so as long as you’ve researched the company and you know they’re reputable, buying dried fish for cats won’t be a problem. Dried fish, in fact, can be very healthy for cats, as long as it comes from a reputable company and you’re not feeding them too much of it.
Factors to Consider Before Feeding Your Cat Dried Fish
First, let’s take a look at raw dried fish and whether it’s a good idea for your cats to eat it. Your kitty is certain to love the raw dried fish you serve it, but again, you have to consider how healthy it is. Like any type of dried foods, raw dried fish isn’t that unhealthy for cats, but that doesn’t mean they should be eating this on a regular basis. Keep in mind that even when these foods are canned or frozen, the fish is still uncooked. Any type of raw food always has the chance of making your cat sick.
Of course, if you boil the dried fish and make sure the fish is cooked evenly, it becomes a lot healthier for your cat, which means you can feed it to your cat on a regular basis without worry. Other than these things, here are some others you should consider before giving your cat dried fish:
- Look at the nutritional facts of the product before feeding it to your cat. All dried fish is different, and you should choose the one that is the healthiest.
- Pay attention to your cat and look for any possible allergic reactions. Just like humans, one cat can be allergic to something that other cats are not.
- Again, make sure you are feeding your cat a well-balanced diet and that the dried fish is just a part of that diet.
- If you’re researching dried fish, make sure you look at the list of preservatives. Naturally, the fewer the preservatives, the healthier it will be for your cat.
If you have any concerns about feeding your cat dried fish, just remember that boiling the dried fish before serving it to your cat is always a smart thing to do. Choosing dried fish for cats isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it has to be nutritious, and boiling or cooking the fish first eliminates a lot of the problems that could occur when feeding your cat any type of raw food.
Dried Fish Versus Regular Wet Fish: Which Is Better for Your Cat?
The bottom line is, both dried fish and regular wet fish are healthy for your cat, provided you choose the right brand. The key is to switch up the food you feed your cats so they aren’t eating the same things at every meal. Both dried fish and wet fish and meat have excellent nutritional value, but your cat can become dehydrated if you serve only one of these foods and nothing else. Variety in your cat’s diet means your cat will get all of the nutrients necessary to grow and thrive. It’s as simple as that.
It might also be a good idea to make at least one meal a week that contains one of each food item just to make sure your kitty is getting a meal that is perfectly balanced. You can also switch up between dried fish and wet fish every couple of days, just to make sure your cats are getting all of the nutrition they need to be healthy and happy.
As you can see, both dried fish and regular wet fish are good for your cat, but neither of these foods should be fed to your cat consistently. Only by changing what you serve on your cat’s plate each day will it get all of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to be a loving pet for many years to come.
