Yes, cats can eat salmon!
Plain cooked salmon is a healthy treat for cats, providing protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Remove bones and skin seasoning, and avoid raw, smoked or canned salmon in brine.
| Can cats eat it? | Safe |
| Calories | About 9 kcal per 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
| Main benefit | High-quality protein |
| Main risk | Small bones are a choking hazard |
| Kittens? | In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs |
Free · instant · based on veterinary formulas
Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon has about 9 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if salmon were the only treat.
| Cat weight | Daily treat budget | Max salmon per day |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb (2.7 kg) | 18 kcal | 1.5 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
| 8 lb (3.6 kg) | 22 kcal | 2 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 26 kcal | 2.5 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 30 kcal | 3 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 34 kcal | 3.5 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon |
Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your cat seems unwell.
Check your cat's full daily needs with the cat food calculator.
Yes. Plain cooked salmon is a healthy treat for cats, providing protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Remove bones and skin seasoning, and avoid raw, smoked or canned salmon in brine.
Plain canned salmon in water with no added salt is fine occasionally. Remove large bones.
No. It is very high in salt.
Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete kitten food.
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This guide is general information for healthy adult cats. Cats with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.
Safe
Yes. Plain cooked salmon is a healthy treat for cats, providing protein and omega-3 fatty acids.