By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Fish and chips night often ends with a cat sitting very politely by the table. Cod is a lean white fish, and a small flake of plain, cooked, boneless cod is a reasonable treat for most healthy cats. The trouble starts with batter, salt, raw fish and bones, and with fish slowly becoming a big part of the diet.
Key takeaways
- Plain, cooked, boneless cod is not toxic to cats and can be an occasional treat.
- Raw fish is not recommended. It can carry bacteria, and raw fish can contain thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1.
- Battered, fried, smoked or salted cod adds fat and salt that cats do not need.
- Fish bones can lodge in the mouth or throat or injure the gut.
- Cornell notes that some cats fed canned fish meant for people have developed neurological problems, so fish should never replace a complete cat food.
- Related reading: taurine for cats, food allergies in cats.
Is cod good for cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, and fish is animal protein, so it is a natural fit as a treat. The RSPCA suggests fish such as tinned sardines, tuna or salmon in spring water can be offered occasionally, taking care with bones. Plain cooked cod fits the same idea.
What cod cannot do is replace a complete and balanced diet. A cat fed mostly on fish from the kitchen will miss nutrients it needs. Cornell's feeding guide notes that some cats fed canned fish intended for humans developed neurological disorders.
How to serve cod safely
- Cook it thoroughly by steaming, poaching or baking.
- Do not add salt, butter, oil, lemon, garlic or onion.
- Remove every bone and the skin.
- Let it cool, then offer a small flake or two.
- Count it as part of the 10 to 15 percent of daily calories that Cornell suggests treats should not exceed.
Forms of cod to avoid
Raw cod
The ASPCA warns that raw meat and fish can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. Separately, Merck Veterinary Manual lists raw fish diets as a cause of thiamine deficiency, which is most common in cats. A review in Veterinary Sciences explains that thiaminase is found in the flesh of some fish and is broken down by high heat to varying degrees. Signs of thiamine deficiency include wobbliness, head tremors, a downward bent neck and seizures.
Salt cod, smoked and tinned cod
Salt cod (bacalao or baccalà) is preserved in a large amount of salt. Smoked cod and some tinned products are also salty. Pet Poison Helpline describes salt poisoning in pets causing vomiting, diarrhoea, wobbliness, tremors and seizures.
Battered fish and fish fingers
Batter, frying oil and seasoning add a lot of fat and sometimes onion or garlic powder. Greasy food can cause vomiting or diarrhoea in cats.
Cod liver oil
Fish oil supplements are not a treat. Only give a supplement if your own vet has recommended it for your cat.
Fish bones
Cod bones are fine and easy to miss. A bone can stick in the gums, tongue or throat, or travel further and injure the gut. Merck Veterinary Manual notes that bones are among the slowly digested foreign bodies that can cause obstruction.
Signs to watch for
- gagging, retching or pawing at the mouth
- drooling or reluctance to eat
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- belly pain or a hunched posture
- excessive thirst after salty fish
- wobbliness, head tremor or seizures (a reason to discuss diet with your vet urgently)
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- is gagging, drooling or pawing at its mouth after eating fish
- vomits repeatedly or seems painful
- ate a lot of salt cod or salty fish and is very thirsty, wobbly or trembling
- has any seizure or sudden balance problem
For poisoning advice, phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your cat vomit, and do not try to remove a bone from the throat yourself.
How vets help
Your vet will examine the mouth and throat, sometimes under sedation, and may take X-rays if a bone is suspected further down. For salt exposure, your vet may check blood tests and give supportive care. If neurological signs appear in a cat eating a lot of fish, your vet will take a detailed diet history. Treatment depends on what the examining vet finds.
FAQ
Can kittens eat cod?
Kittens need a complete kitten food. A tiny piece of plain cooked cod is unlikely to harm them, but it should not displace their growth diet.
Is cod skin OK?
It is fatty and often seasoned. It is simplest to leave it off.
Can I feed my cat cod every day?
It is better kept as an occasional extra. Daily fish can unbalance the diet and makes some cats fussy about their regular food.
My cat ate a piece of battered fish. What should I do?
A small piece is likely to cause at most an upset stomach. Check whether the batter or sauce contained onion or garlic, and call your vet if your cat vomits repeatedly or seems unwell.
Talk with a vet
If your cat stole some fish and you are worried about bones or seasoning, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide what to do. 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.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Disorders of the Spinal Column and Cord in Animals (Thiamine Deficiency).
- Kritikos G, Parr JM, Verbrugghe A. Vet Sci. 2017;4(4):59. The Role of Thiamine and Effects of Deficiency in Dogs and Cats.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt Is Toxic To Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small 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.