Cod: a good idea for my cat?
Yes, cod is an excellent fish for cats. This white fish is not only highly digestible, but it also provides a fantastic source of lean protein. If your feline friend is a fish lover, cod can easily be a healthy treat or a prime supplement to their regular diet.
The benefits of cod for felines
Cod is well known for its many nutritional qualities:
- Rich in high-quality protein: Ideal for maintaining your cat’s muscle mass, as they are strict carnivores.
- Low in fat: It’s a perfect dish for indoor cats or those prone to weight gain.
- Source of vitamins and minerals: It specifically provides B vitamins, iodine, and selenium, which are essential for their metabolism to function properly.
Precautions to take before feeding it
Although cod is very healthy for your pet, a few rules apply to avoid any accidents:
- Cooking is mandatory: Never feed raw cod. Raw fish can contain bacteria or parasites. Moreover, it contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1. Steam or boil it, without ever adding salt, butter, oil, spices, garlic, or onion.
- Watch out for bones: This is the most crucial step. Carefully remove all the bones before serving the fish to rule out any risk of choking or severe perforation of the digestive tract.
How much cod can I give my cat?
Cod should remain an occasional treat or a little extra. It must by no means replace their complete diet (kibble or wet food) as this could cause nutritional deficiencies. You can offer a small cube of cooked cod, equivalent to a teaspoon, once or twice a week. If it’s their first time, give a tiny piece to check that they digest it well and show no intolerance.