Why
Cooked white fish is a simple protein treat. Raw fish carries bacteria and an enzyme (thiaminase) that destroys thiamine, a vitamin cats need.
How to serve fish
- Steam, bake or poach with no butter, salt or spices.
- Remove the skin and all bones.
Watch out for
- Fried or breaded fish is too fatty and salty.
- Raw fish fed often can lead to thiamine deficiency.
How much fish can a cat eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much fish it buys if fish is the only treat that day. Fish has about 105 kcal per 100 g; 3 oz (85 g) is about 89 kcal.
| Cat size | Daily treat budget | Max fish a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small cat (6 lb) | 18 kcal | 17 g (a quarter of 3 oz) |
| Average cat (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 25 g (a quarter of 3 oz) |
| Large cat (14 lb) | 34 kcal | 32 g (a third of 3 oz) |
Less is better for overweight or diabetic cats. Work out your own cat's numbers with the cat food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Fish, cod, Atlantic, cooked, dry heat.
Other meat, fish and eggs: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Bones | Avoid | No. Bones can injure or block a cat's gut, which may need surgery. |
| Fat trimmings and skin | Avoid | Best avoided. Fatty scraps can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis. |
| Meat baby food | Avoid | Best avoided. Meat baby food is often seasoned with onion or garlic. |
| Raw meat | Avoid | Best avoided. Raw meat can carry Salmonella and E. coli. |
| Eggs | Small amounts | Cooked egg is the only option to consider; raw eggs are a no. |
| Tuna | Small amounts | Only a little, once in a while. Tuna made for people should not be a regular part of a cat's diet. |
| Chicken | Safe | Yes. Plain, thoroughly cooked chicken with no bones, skin or seasoning is a safe treat. |
| Salmon | Safe | Yes, cooked and plain. Raw fish is not a good idea for cats. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your cat's daily calories . The rest should come from a complete cat food.
- Check labels for onion and garlic powder, which turn up in stock, gravy, baby food and seasoned meat.
- If your cat has a health condition, such as diabetes, kidney disease or a sensitive stomach, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Is fish safe for cats?
Yes, if it is cooked, plain and boneless. Raw fish is best avoided.
How much fish can a cat have?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a cat's daily calories. For an average 10 lb neutered cat that is about 26 kcal a day, or roughly 25 g of fish if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- Embrace Pet Insurance, "7 Foods You Can Share With Your Cat" (Chyrle Bonk, DVM, updated Apr 10, 2025)
- PetMD, "Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Cats" (reviewed by Nicole Silva, DVM)
- Pet Nutrition Alliance, "Calculating Calories Based on Pet Needs"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.