Can Cats Eat Canned Tuna?

The problem with tuna made for people

Tuna itself is a protein source cats love, but cans made for people are far too salty by a cat's standards and are packed in oil (cottonseed oil and the like). Feeding it often can cause excess sodium and digestive problems, and it commonly leads to a fussy eater that only wants tuna and refuses its regular food.

If you do give it, do it this way

• Drain off the oil and rinse it once in boiled water to reduce the salt and oil
• Keep the amount to about a topping, roughly one teaspoon, no more than once or twice a week
• Never give processed tuna that contains seasonings like onion or garlic (stir-fry tuna, vegetable tuna, etc.) — onion and garlic are toxic to cats

If you want to feed it daily, use a cat-specific can

Cat tuna cans and wet-food cans are formulated to match a cat's salt requirements and are fortified with taurine (an essential amino acid for cats). They also help with hydration, so for a cat that doesn't drink much water they're actually recommended. If you're worried about water intake, start by checking your cat's baseline with the water intake calculator.

Why tuna shouldn't be the main diet

Feeding nothing but tuna leads to nutritional imbalance. Tuna in particular is a large fish, so there are concerns about mercury accumulation. Whether it's made for people or for cats, avoid a "tuna-centered diet" and keep a complete, balanced food as the foundation — that's the rule.