That cats like fish is something that everyone knows, but ... why? If you have ever asked yourself this question and have not yet found the answer, in Noti Gatos We are going to reveal to you one of the greatest cat mysteries.
Why do cats like fish? Learn more.
Cats like fish, and this is something that even at this point you may already know before. The cat is attracted by the smell of fish, but also by its taste.
In addition to the large amount of protein, fish has many nutritional values, as we are going to tell you, something that helps it boost its brain development. But in addition, there are other data that you should also know.
Because they like?
It is rich in protein
The cat, being a carnivorous animal, needs many proteins of animal origin to be able to stay healthy. Although red meat has a higher protein content than blue (30 grams per 100g of red meat, while fish only has 22g of protein per 100g), it is more than likely that our favorite furry did not have such an ability to hunt carnivorous terrestrial animals when he lived in the wild.
In addition, fish oil is an important nutritional aid for the feline, as it helps it to have better brain development.
He is attracted to the smell
The smell of fresh raw fish is much more intense and penetrating than that of meat, and the cat of course cannot resist him. For this reason, he immediately associates a can (even if it is closed) with something delicious to eat, which we can take advantage of to get his attention whenever necessary, such as when we cannot find it. We make noise with the ring, as if we wanted to open it but without actually doing it, and I can assure you that the feline will be in front of us in a matter of seconds (or a few minutes).
But… Which is better: blue meat or red meat? Actually, both they are good for the cat as long as they are of quality, that is, as long as they are really fresh meat or fresh fish and not dehydrated / or or by-products or flours. It is important to read the label of the ingredients in order to give the best to our beloved furry.
Cat and evolution
Cats do not usually fish themselves (water is not their interest). The African wildcat does not eat fish and its diet consists of mice, rats, birds, and some reptiles. So why do they like fish so much? Let's look at some reasons:
- It was through the domestication of cats 10.000 years ago.
- The domesticated cat hunts birds and small mammals, but is especially attracted to the smell of fish.
- There are fishing cats that eat fish mainly, although in general fish does not have a primary role in their diet.
- Cats hate water so fishing is not in their plans, so if they like it, it is because humans gave this animal a try.
If it is not part of your usual diet, why do you like fish?
The answer is simple: cats are opportunistic eaters and will feed on anything in their reach that is edible. They have been eating leftover human food for thousands of years so, being smart, they realize that the fish they get from them is easy to get and they don't have to strain. For example, when cats eat fish on the docks. Obtaining this type of food reduced the need to hunt and saved energy.
His digestive system was not affected by introducing the fishBut if you have domestic cats, it is advisable to give them fish in moderation, because they do not really need it in their diet. Although the strong smell of fish makes them feel attracted to this food.
So, should you feed your cat fish?
Fish is high in protein and is eaten in moderation. Cats eat meat and few vegetables, grains or fruits ... Although they cannot fully digest any vegetables. Proteins have amino acids, and proteins help them make the enzymes, antibodies, and hormones they need to be healthy and strong. Also they build tissues, regulate the pH balance and provide energy to the cat's body.
For a cat to be healthy, it also needs oils and fats through fatty acids. Cats can only take advantage of the fatty acids they get from meat and fish. The latter also contains taurine (an amino acid that controls heart rate, vision, digestion and reproduction). There are mammals that manufacture this component by themselves through other amino acids, but cats cannot do that and taurine must be in their diet in a complementary way.
Fish lacks minerals such as iron, calcium or sodium. It has a lot of phosphorus and can also have high levels of mercury and even contain certain toxins. If you feed your cat too much fish, it can lead to urinary infections and even hyperthyroidism. In addition, fish is rich in iodine and that is harmful for cats if they eat a lot of fish and their diet would be unbalanced, causing their health to be seriously affected.
As if that were not enough, fish do not have vitamin B or E and may have grown in polluted waters, something that would endanger the health of your feline. If you want to feed your cat fish, that's fine, but only in moderate doses. and taking into account that your diet must be supplemented with other types of food so that you can have a healthy life.
You must also remember that cats should not eat raw fish because they could ingest raw fish parasites. The fish that you want to give to your cat must be prepared especially for cats and thus you will avoid that it can feel bad or even that by eating too much fish or raw fish, they end up getting sick.