Cats and fish is an iconic pair but not all fish are as good for your kitty as advertised. So, can cats eat sardines in olive oil?
Wild ancestors of our domestic cat friends did not have fish in their natural diet with only a few exceptions. Therefore we don’t really know when domestic cats developed a taste for fish. But considering that not all iconic pairs are good such as milk being harmful to cats, you need to ask yourself this question: “Can cats eat sardines in olive oil?”
Not all cats like sardines but most cats that tasted sardines before beg for it when they catch the scent of the small fish and there is nothing wrong with giving your cat one sardine per week or more frequently as long as the caloric intake is adjusted accordingly. Of course, like all human foods cats can eat, you should be careful about the salt and other additives the food may include.
Sardines include many nutrients that are beneficial to cats such as Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. As well as helping with hydration, sardines also help your cat to have a healthy coat and better working internal organs thanks to these minerals and fatty acids.
However changing your cat’s diet to heavily rely on fish is not a good idea because Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) found that cats that are fed largely fish-based diets can become vitamin K deficient.
But how about store bought sardines that are preserved in olive oil?
Can Cats Eat Sardines in Olive Oil?
Yes, cats can eat sardines in olive oil. Actually olive oil is really healthy for cats as long as consumed in moderation. Just like olives, olive oil is not toxic or poisonous to cats. It is better to give extra virgin olive oil to your cat, which has more nutritional value than the regular olive oil and is not treated chemically. Just remember that too much of anything cause adverse effects.
Some health benefits of consuming sardines in olive oil your cat may enjoy are:
- keeping the fur healthy, soft and shiny,
- helping with constipation,
- boosting the immune system,
- helping with weight control,
- preventing allergies,
- reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes,
- and curing hairballs. (Mix one teaspoon of olive oil to the cat food for three days as a hairball remedy.)
However, feeding olive oil to your cat in large quantities or any other oil may have adverse effects such as diarrhea or fattening up your cat over time so just like many other human food, cats should consume it in moderation. This rule applies to sardines in olive oil as well.
Can Cats Eat Canned Sardines in Olive Oil?
Canned sardines in olive oil can be fed to felines in moderation. All the health benefits of sardines and olive oil for cats can be obtained with canned sardines. On top of being a healthier treat for cats, canned sardines are cheaper than a lot of cat treats, too and they are readily available almost everywhere from groceries to convenience stores. The key point here is giving it to your cat in moderation.
What Is the Best Type of Sardines For Cats?
The best type of sardines for feline consumption is the ones in spring water. These types of sardines don’t have any added sodium or fat which are not good for cats. If you are worried about the salt content of the fish or the fat, you may want to prefer sardines in water so your kitty may enjoy all the health benefits of sardines without you needing to worry about those unhealthy additives.
Conclusion
In short:
Can cats eat sardines in olive oil? Yes, they definitely can and it has many health benefits to cats as long as it is given in moderation. You cat may eat one sardine per week but if you want your cat to eat more sardines you may want to adjust the caloric intake as a can of sardine is about 200 calories. Also keep in mind that fish is not a natural part of feline diet so never swap your cat food with an all-fish diet.
Canned sardines are is also a good choice for your cat as long as it doesn’t include any additives or sauces as these may contain high amount of sodium, garlic, onions or other ingredients that are toxic to cats.
Although sardines are healthy treats for cats, if you see any symptoms or reactions, please consult your veterinarian.