You read that right, today we are answering: can cats eat lemon pepper tuna?
This seems like an odd question at first, but we know that many people are genuinely curious about what they can and cannot give to their cats to eat, especially in a snack emergency.
We always want what is best for our cats, and that means giving them a good mix between dry foods and wet foods.
Of course, lemon pepper tuna doesn’t seem to fit into your average cat’s diet, and there are many good reasons for that, which we will get into in this article.
Can I Feed My Cat Lemon Pepper Tuna?
The short answer is of course that anything that a cat usually wouldn’t eat in the wild shouldn’t be fed to them, and this includes lemon and pepper.
Cats do not have the right enzymes and digestive systems to handle highly acidic foods, and citrus fruits such as lemons are certainly very acidic.
This means that if your cat eats too much of this kind of food, then they are quite likely to be unwell.
This includes vomiting, diarrhea, skin rashes, and even fur loss, especially if an allergy is triggered.
Now there is no need to panic if your cat has had a sneaky taste of tonight’s dinner while you weren’t looking, as small amounts shouldn’t have any adverse effects.
This means that you shouldn’t need to rush off to the vet to get your cat looked at if they have eaten some lemon pepper tuna, but you must ensure that they don’t have any more than that.
Related – More interesting foods covered; hash browns, cinnamon toast, and gummy bears!
Why Would You Feed Lemon Pepper Tuna To Your Cat?
At this point, it is probably a good idea to cover the question of why you would want to feed your cat lemon pepper tuna in the first place, and the answer is simple.
You have probably just realized that the last pouch of soft food has been used up, and you are now met with a hungry feline looking to you for their favorite soft food snack.
After looking around for a bit, you happen upon a tin of lemon pepper tuna, and wonder if this could actually do until morning when you can get to the store and pick up some more soft food for your cat.
The general advice that we see online is that you definitely shouldn’t be giving your cat anything with lemon or pepper in it.
If you can make it until the morning without too much fuss, then rather be safe and give your cat some dry food instead.
Can Cats Eat Flavored Tuna?
The answer to this will depend on who you ask.
As we mentioned earlier, cats really should only be eating proteins and fats that they would eat in a natural setting, and although they really do love fish, it should be a treat and not a daily meal.
Having said that, the answer is that it is up to you how often you feel like rewarding your furry friend with a tasty tuna treat, as long as it is not every day.
If you are going to feed your cat tuna fish, then you must make sure that it is not overly saturated in salt water, and that it is not canned with oil.
The vegetable and seed oils that are found in some tuna brands are not good for cats, so they should be avoided.
And lastly, flavored tuna is not ideal for your cats, such as lemon and pepper, BBQ, honey, curry, or anything else that is generally considered to be seasoned with a human palate in mind.
Remember, the more natural the food, the happier and the healthier your cat will be.
Can Cats Eat Tuna With Seasoning?
Again the answer is no, you really should try to avoid any foods for your cat that contain additional seasonings such as spices, salts, and oils.
A small taste every so often, while not advisable, is not a health concern for your cat provided the sample is small enough, and there are no extreme flavors like the heat of chili or the sweetness from sugar or honey.
It can sometimes be easy to forget that our pets are not as well adjusted as we are to the foods that we eat.
This means that what we think of as kindness can sometimes not be good for them at all, especially when giving them something that is seasoned, like some brands of tuna.
We always want to stick to foods that have been scientifically formulated with our cat’s metabolism and nutritional needs in mind.
Related – Read the interesting thing about cats and seafood here!
Can Cats Have Herb And Garlic Tuna?
On the surface, this kind of seasoning might sound a little less toxic for cats than lemon and pepper tuna, but again we need to think of the effects that garlic and herbs might have on your cat’s digestive system.
Any time an animal ingests foods that they are not naturally equipped to deal with, you run the risk of harming your cat or giving them an upset stomach at the very least.
Again, it is best to avoid any seasoning, flavorings, and spices when feeding your cat.
In Summary
Giving your cat a treat, or feeding them when their favorite soft food has run out can be a challenge.
You need to make sure that you are not harming your cat by feeding them excessive amounts of tuna, and tuna that has flavorings like tuna and pepper.
If you are trying to feed your cat some tuna for the first time, then make sure you give them a small portion to test with first.
The last thing either of you wants is an unwell kitty (cleaning cat vomit is no pleasant task!), no matter how tasty the tuna may be.
Once you are both happy with adding tuna to their diet as an occasional treat, or as an emergency snack, then you can worry a lot less about whether or not tuna is suitable for your cat.
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Image credits – Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash
