Cats can eat canned tuna, but only as an occasional treat and not as a regular or main part of their diet. The canned tuna should be unsalted, unseasoned, and packed in water (not oil). It should make up less than 10% of their daily calories to avoid nutritional imbalances or health issues such as mercury toxicity and vitamin deficiencies. Raw or seasoned tuna is not safe for cats. Tuna has some nutritional benefits like being high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but it lacks important nutrients cats need, such as vitamin E. Feeding too much tuna can lead to problems like steatitis (inflammation of fat), mercury poisoning, and thiamine deficiency. Kittens should not be given tuna until they are at least 1 year old. To safely feed your cat tuna:
- Use only canned tuna packed in water, not oil or brine.
- Avoid seasoning or additives.
- Limit the amount to about one tablespoon once a week.
- Do not replace a nutritionally complete cat food with tuna.
In summary, canned tuna can be an occasional treat but should never replace a balanced cat diet.
