By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Salt and pepper calamari is a fixture of Australian pub menus and fish and chip nights, and cats are understandably keen on anything that smells of the sea. If your cat stole a ring of plain calamari, it is unlikely to come to serious harm. The problem is that calamari almost never comes plain. It is usually crumbed or battered, deep fried, heavily salted and served with garlic aioli. Those extras are the reason it is a poor treat for cats.
Key takeaways
- Plain, cooked squid with no seasoning is not toxic to cats, but it is not a necessary food.
- Fried calamari is fatty and salty and commonly causes vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Garlic aioli, garlic butter and seasoning mixes containing garlic or onion are the biggest concern. Cats are the most sensitive species to garlic and onion.
- Raw squid and other raw seafood can carry bacteria.
- Calamari rings are chewy and rubbery, so a gulped piece could cause gagging.
- Related reading: garlic and cats, vomiting and diarrhoea in cats.
Is squid good for cats?
Squid is an animal protein, which is more in line with a cat's needs than most human foods. Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found only in animal products. But a complete and balanced cat food already supplies everything your cat needs, so squid is an extra, not a nutritional upgrade.
The RSPCA notes that fish such as sardines, tuna or salmon tinned in spring water, and plain boiled or steamed chicken, can be offered as occasional treats. Plain cooked squid sits in a similar space: a novelty in small amounts, not part of the diet.
Where the risks come from
Batter, crumb and oil
Deep-fried calamari soaks up oil. The ASPCA notes fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and may contribute to pancreatitis in some pets. Cornell notes most cats with pancreatitis have no obvious cause, so one ring of calamari is not a predictable trigger, but greasy takeaway is a common reason for an upset stomach.
Salt and pepper seasoning
Salt and pepper calamari can be very salty, and some seasoning blends include garlic or onion powder, chilli and Chinese five spice. The ASPCA lists thirst, vomiting and diarrhoea among signs of excess salt, with tremors and seizures in serious cases.
Garlic aioli and garlic butter
Aioli is garlic mayonnaise. Merck Veterinary Manual notes cats are the species most susceptible to garlic and onion poisoning, and that garlic is three to five times more toxic than onion. Signs usually appear several days after eating, once red blood cells break down. A cat licking the aioli ramekin may be getting more garlic than you would guess.
Raw squid
Raw seafood, like raw meat, can carry bacteria. The ASPCA notes raw meat can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can make pets and people sick. Keep raw squid tubes and bait well away from cats.
Texture
Calamari is firm and chewy. Cats tend to swallow food in chunks, and a whole ring could cause gagging or, rarely, get stuck.
If you want to share squid
- Use plain squid, cooked by boiling or steaming, with no salt, oil, garlic, batter or sauce.
- Cool it and cut it into very small pieces.
- Offer one or two small pieces and see how your cat's stomach handles it.
- Keep it occasional. Cornell suggests all treats together should stay within 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
Skip squid if your cat has a known seafood sensitivity or a sensitive stomach.
Signs to watch for
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- gagging, drooling or pawing at the mouth
- drinking a lot
- reduced appetite
In the days after garlic or onion exposure:
- tiredness or weakness
- pale or yellow gums
- fast breathing
- reddish brown urine
When it is an emergency
Get veterinary help promptly if your cat:
- is choking, gagging repeatedly or struggling to breathe
- licked garlic aioli or ate calamari with garlic seasoning
- vomits repeatedly, is very thirsty, wobbly or trembling
- has pale gums, weakness or collapses in the days after eating
The Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) can help you judge the risk. Do not make your cat vomit at home unless a vet or the helpline tells you to.
How vets manage it
For a single ring of plain calamari, the usual advice is to watch at home and offer water. If garlic aioli or seasoning was involved, your vet may want to see your cat, may empty the stomach under veterinary care if timing suits, and may check red blood cells over the following days. Cats with vomiting or dehydration may need fluids and medicine to settle the stomach, chosen by the vet.
Prevention
On fish and chip night, eat at the table, keep the paper parcel closed, and put sauce containers in a lidded bin. If you fish or keep squid bait, store it sealed in the freezer.
FAQ
Can cats eat salt and pepper calamari?
It is better not to. It is salty, fried and may contain garlic or onion powder.
Is grilled calamari safer?
Plain grilled squid is lower risk than fried, but restaurant versions are usually marinated with garlic and oil.
Can cats eat raw squid?
Raw seafood can carry bacteria, so it is best avoided.
My cat ate a calamari ring and now keeps gagging. What do I do?
If your cat is struggling to breathe or cannot stop gagging, go to your nearest vet clinic immediately.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has helped itself to the seafood platter and you are unsure what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can talk you through it. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Pancreatitis.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline: 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.