🐈 Can My Cat Eat Raw Tuna?

Raw fish including tuna contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). Thiamine deficiency in cats can cause serious neurological problems. Raw tuna also carries risk of bacterial contamination. Even cooked tuna poses problems if fed regularly: it's high in mercury, can become addictive (cats may refuse other food), lacks essential nutrients like taurine in sufficient amounts, and doesn't provide the balanced nutrition cats need. The high protein and strong smell make tuna irresistible to most cats, but this preference shouldn't dictate their diet.

Raw tuna bacteria: vomiting, diarrhea, fever. Long-term tuna diet: thiamine deficiency (loss of appetite, neurological issues, seizures), mercury accumulation, malnutrition.

If your cat ate a small amount of raw tuna, monitor for digestive upset. If your cat has been eating primarily tuna for weeks and shows neurological symptoms, see your vet for thiamine and nutritional testing.

Cooked salmon (occasional), cooked chicken breast, commercial cat treats with fish flavor, and high-quality fish-based wet cat food provide the taste cats love with proper nutrition.