Can Cats Eat Salmon Skin
Cats are notoriously curious and even more so whenever you’re cooking. You’re not alone if you’ve ever been cooking salmon and wondering if cats can eat salmon skin. Salmon is a fish that is rich in healthy fatty oils and vitamins. It’s healthy for humans, but what about cats?
A lot of people that cook salmon like to take the skin off. Oftentimes they wonder if this salmon skin is safe for cats, or if they should just throw it away. If you’re a cat owner then it might help your cat to start hanging on to that taste salmon skin for them, but there are exceptions!
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they only need to eat meat in order to be healthy and strong. While cats are quite good at catching their own meals (or stealing our food), sometimes it’s nice to give them a treat that has a little bit of extra protein and doesn’t contain too many carbs or calories.
Salmon is a great choice because the fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are important for brain function, eye health, joint function and skin/coat condition. Salmon is also high in protein which helps build muscle mass while amino acids help with tissue repair/rebuild & immune system health
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ToggleYes! Cats Can Eat Salmon Skin
Yes, salmon skin is safe for cats to eat as long as it isn’t covered in seasonings (especially garlic!) or any other sauces or cooking oils. Salmon contains a lot of Omega fatty acids which are amazing for the health of your cat, both physically and mentally!
Since salmon skin is covered with fatty oils it should only be given to your cat on special occasions. Healthy fats are extremely beneficial to cats in conservative amounts. Giving your cat too much of it or giving them salmon skin too frequently can have diminishing returns.
If you have any doubts about what your cat should or should not eat, it’s always best to consult your vet!
Salmon Skin Is Healthy For Your Cat (in small doses)
Salmon is a very healthy fish for your cat to eat and could provide them with health benefits such as better skin and coat condition as well as healthy, well-lubricated joints.
Both the skin and the salmon itself is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for brain function, eye health, joint function and skin and coat condition. Omega-3 also plays an essential role in immune system health.
In addition to the benefits above, salmon provides many other vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to cats including: Vitamin B12 – A nutrient that promotes healthy red blood cells. As well as Vitamin B6 – A vitamin required by cats for normal growth processes as well as maintaining a healthy nervous system.
But remember, and we can’t stress this enough, you should not make salmon skin a daily part of your cat’s diet. It should be given sparingly!
Be Careful When Feeding Your Cat Salmon Skin
While salmon and it’s skin have health benefits, too much can be a bad thing. Well, a bad thing for cats at least! Humans can benefit from eating salmon skin in higher amounts more so than cats can.
When you’re feeding your cat salmon skin, it’s important not to give them too much. Salmon is very high in calories and fat, so you only want to feed this treat occasionally.
Most cats don’t need many calories or fat because they’re not big on exercise. The exception to high-calorie diets for cats are limited to senior cats, underweight cats, or cats that are sick. And only in instances when a vet recommends these cats put on some healthy weight.
If you overfeed your cat salmon, it can lead to weight gain and even diabetes. Again, this is because of the high amounts of fats and the high calorie density.
You also should never serve your cat raw salmon skin or cooked salmon skin with spices or seasonings on it (like salt). If the skin is cooked at a high temperature before serving, there’s no risk of spreading bacteria from raw fish through improper handling or cooking methods.
However, if any part of the skin is eaten raw—even if that doesn’t happen often—there could be an increased risk for foodborne illnesses like listeria poisoning.
Cats Can NOT Eat Seasoned Salmon Skin
Many people think about cooking salmon however they want to and then peeling the skin off to give to their cat. Unless you like your salmon plain with no seasonings or sauces, this is a VERY bad idea.
Cats have a very specific diet that they need to be fed. Incorporating sauces, cooking oils, or even butter can really mess with a cat. Oil and butter are high in fat. Sauces can be high in sodium and/or sugars, both of which are bad for cats.
Seasonings can be VERY bad for cats. For starters, salt/sodium is terrible for them. Did you know that garlic is toxic to cats? If you think a little bit of garlic, garlic powder, or garlic salt won’t hurt your kitty then you’re sorely mistaken.
Your Cat Can Get The Health Benefits Without The Salmon
As we’ve mentioned above, salmon skin and the salmon itself can be healthy for your cats in small doses. Because of this you might think that it would be beneficial to give your cat some salmon from time to time so that they can reap the benefits.
It’s entirely possible for your cat to get those same benefits without actually eating any salmon or salmon skin.
Fish oil supplements that are very rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids can be added to your cat’s food. Don’t go buy some fish oil pills and break them up into their food though. There are fish oil supplements made specifically for cats.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosing instructions, and always check with your vet before changing your cat’s diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Protect Your Cats From Diseases
We’ve already outlined a number of benefits above, but omega-3 fatty acids can actually protect your cat from a variety of diseases.
Heart Disease – Heart failure in cats is often associated with inflammation of the heart and around the heart. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce this inflammation in cats with heart disease. It also helps prevent heart disease in healthy cats.
Kidney Disease – Too much protein in the urine is often associated with kidney disease. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids help reduce protein in the urine, thus helping your cat live longer.
Joint Disease – Another disease associated with inflammation. Inflamed joints can be painful and detrimental to cats, especially senior and overweight cats. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation, leading to healthier joints overall.
Can Cats Eat Salmon Skin Conclusion
Yes, your cat can eat salmon skin. The salmon skin must be fully cooked and unseasoned.
Salmon skin is high in fats so you never want to give your cat too much of it or feed it to them too often.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon skin are very healthy for your cat.
It’s possible to supplement your cat’s normal diet with omega-3 fatty acids without giving them salmon skin.