Have you thought why do cats like fish and why they’re shown looking at the fishbowl so hungrily? If you do, here’s the answer for you!
Cats are attracted to fish the same way dogs are to the bones! Right from movies to our own petting experience, we have seen felines love to eat fish. What could be the reason behind this? To find the answer, we did some research and thought to share what we found through this article! Read on to know why do cats like fish so much!
Why Do Cats Like Fish… A Sneak Peek!
To date, there are no scientific studies available to answer why cats love to eat fish so much. However, there are many speculated theories supporting the claim. So if the next time your kitty stalks your fish in the aquarium by twitching its tail, the points listed below might be the reason behind it.
Historical Beliefs
According to historical claims, Egyptians were the first to domesticate cats in human history and take care of them. They used to offer fish to them, so they can continue to stay at homes instead of roaming out in the forests. That’s why the generation of felines adopted the taste for fish and started liking it.
Cats are Opportunistic Feeders
The logical explanation of why cats love to eat fish is that they’re opportunistic feeders. This means they tend to make the most of the situation and grab on the meal. So after spending thousands of years with humans and feeding on offered food (mainly fish), they found out how easy it is to obtain food from us. So maybe, due to evolution and natural selection, they must have started liking fish.
Food Addiction and Strong Smell
Many cat owners believe that just like humans, felines too get attracted to certain food items. So when the Egyptians locals served tuna and salmon to the cats, they must have fallen for the delicious taste of fish and developed an addiction for them.
Should You Give Fish to Your Cat?
Yes, packed with vitamins and proteins, fish is a great nutrient source for cats. However, fish should not be the only source of your feline’s diet in order to maintain nutritional balance and avoid side-effects.
Excellent Source of Protein
Cats require protein to fuel bodily processes and stay healthy. It helps them to build tissues and provides strengths to carry on day to day activity. Including fish in your cat’s diet will ensure they have their regular intake of protein.
Contains Taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid that maintains normal heart rate, digestion, muscle movement, and reproduction in felines. Most animals break down other amino acids to make taurine for bodies. However, this is not the case with cats, so it is crucial to provide taurine in your cat’s diet.
Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Just like humans, omega three fatty acids is an excellent supplement you should include in your cat’s diet. It has anti-inflammatory properties that foster healthy skin, makes the cat’s coat shiny as well as improves the joint health. Fishes like salmon, trout, or mackerel are good options to include in the fish diet.
Which Type of Fish is Best for Your Cat?
Every fish is good for your cat’s health when not offered in excessive quantity. However, please take care of the following precautions while feeding it:
- Make sure the fish is not stale.
- Some felines are allergic to fishes. If this is the case with your kitty, then avoid including it in her diet.
- Plain fish, trout, salmon, and herring are good food options for mousers as they are rich in essential nutrients.
- Avoid giving tuna to your kitty regularly as it is rich in mercury and lead to mercury poisoning. Instead, you can replace it with cod, flounder, or halibut.
Side-Effects of Including Fish in Cat’s Diet
There are no side-effects of feeding fish to cats if you are serving it as a part of your kitty’s balanced diet. The overdose of fish may lead to the following side-effects:
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Hyperthyroidism
- Wheezing and Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Hair loss
Final Thoughts
Cats love fish because of natural selection and co-evaluation reasons. It’s also a useful source of protein for your kitty and provides various health benefits.