By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A cat that finds the remains of a fish dinner will usually eat first and think later. Many cats crunch through small, soft bones without trouble, but fish bones are thin, sharp and easy to swallow at an awkward angle. Removing them before sharing fish is the simplest way to avoid a vet visit.
Key takeaways
- Fish bones are best removed before sharing fish with your cat.
- Sharp bones can lodge in the gums, tongue, roof of the mouth or throat.
- Merck Veterinary Manual lists bones among foreign bodies that can cause gastrointestinal obstruction, which is an emergency.
- VCA Animal Hospitals lists vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and decreased appetite among signs of a swallowed foreign body, and notes that time matters when a blockage is suspected.
- The RSPCA advises care with bones when feeding tinned fish, and warns never to feed cooked bones.
- If your cat is gagging, pawing at its mouth, drooling or vomiting after eating fish, call your vet.
Why fish bones are a problem
In the mouth and throat
Fine bones can wedge between teeth, across the roof of the mouth or in the gums. A bone caught in the throat may cause gagging, retching or repeated swallowing. VCA notes that pawing at the mouth can be a sign of something stuck there.
Further down the gut
Some swallowed bones pass without trouble. Larger or sharper pieces can cause irritation or, occasionally, become stuck. Merck Veterinary Manual describes gastrointestinal obstruction as an emergency and notes that foreign bodies can be indigestible or slowly digested material, such as bones. Signs include pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Cooked versus raw bones
Cooked bones are more brittle. The RSPCA advises never feeding cooked bones because they can splinter and cause potentially fatal damage or blockages. Raw bones are not risk free either. The RSPCA notes they can cause broken teeth, constipation and blockages, and raw animal products carry bacteria.
What comes with the bones
Fish frames and skins left on plates often carry oil, salt, lemon, butter and sauces. Some sauces contain onion or garlic, which Merck describes as especially dangerous for cats. Bins also hold string, foil and skewers. VCA notes that string or thread can wrap around the base of the tongue, which is easy to miss.
What not to do at home
- Do not try to pull a bone out of your cat's throat with your fingers or tweezers. You can push it further or be bitten.
- Do not give bread, oil or other foods to push a bone down.
- Do not try to make your cat vomit. Salt and hydrogen peroxide can cause serious harm.
- Do not wait days to see if vomiting settles.
Signs to watch for
In the mouth or throat:
- gagging, retching or coughing
- pawing at the mouth or face
- drooling, sometimes with blood
- repeated swallowing or lip licking
- reluctance to eat or dropping food
Further down the gut:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea or straining
- loss of appetite
- lethargy or hiding
- a tense or painful belly
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- is choking, struggling to breathe or has blue or pale gums
- keeps gagging or pawing at its mouth
- vomits repeatedly or cannot keep water down
- seems painful, hunched or very quiet
- ate fish scraps from the bin along with string, foil or skewers
For poisoning concerns, such as sauces containing onion or garlic, phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
How vets assess a cat that may have swallowed a bone
VCA describes the usual steps: a history of what was eaten, a physical examination, and imaging such as X-rays or ultrasound, along with blood tests when needed. Your vet may also need to examine the mouth and throat closely, sometimes under sedation. If an obstruction is found, surgery may be needed. The plan is decided by the examining vet. For ongoing vomiting, see frequent vomiting in cats.
Safer ways to share fish
- Cook fish plainly and flake it carefully, removing all bones and skin.
- Choose boneless fillets, or tinned fish in spring water with any bones removed.
- Offer small amounts as an occasional treat.
- Put fish scraps in a sealed bin straight after dinner.
FAQ
Can cats eat fish bones?
It is safest to remove them. Fish bones are sharp and can lodge in the mouth, throat or gut.
My cat ate a fish bone but seems fine. What should I do?
Watch closely for the next few days for gagging, drooling, vomiting, appetite loss or lethargy, and call your vet if any appear.
Are the soft bones in tinned salmon or sardines safe?
The RSPCA lists tinned fish as an occasional treat but advises care with bones. Remove or mash them well.
Are raw fish bones safer than cooked ones?
Neither is risk free. Cooked bones can splinter, and raw bones can still cause blockages and carry bacteria.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has eaten fish scraps and you are not sure whether it needs to be seen, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Cats.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- 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.