Can Cats Eat Tuna? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

Cats can have a little plain tuna as an occasional treat. It should not be a regular meal: tuna lacks key nutrients, is high in mercury, and cats can become "addicted" and refuse their own food.

Tuna for cats at a glance

Can cats eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 16 kcal per tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)
Main benefit	High-protein, strong-smelling treat cats love
Main risk	Mercury accumulates with frequent feeding
Kittens?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs

How much tuna can a cat eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One tablespoon of canned tuna (in water) has about 16 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if tuna were the only treat.

Cat weight	Daily treat budget	Max tuna per day
6 lb (2.7 kg)	18 kcal	1 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)
8 lb (3.6 kg)	22 kcal	1 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)
10 lb (4.5 kg)	26 kcal	1.5 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)
12 lb (5.4 kg)	30 kcal	1.5 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)
14 lb (6.4 kg)	34 kcal	2 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water)

Benefits and risks

Benefits

High-protein, strong-smelling treat cats love
Can tempt a picky eater
Omega-3 fatty acids

Risks

Mercury accumulates with frequent feeding
Tuna-heavy diets can cause nutritional problems (historically, yellow fat disease)
Tuna in oil or brine adds fat and salt

How to feed tuna to your cat

Choose tuna packed in water, no salt added
Offer a teaspoon or two occasionally
Never replace cat food with tuna

What if my cat ate too much tuna?

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.

Tuna and cats: FAQ

Can cats have tuna?

Cats can have a little plain tuna as an occasional treat. It should not be a regular meal: tuna lacks key nutrients, is high in mercury, and cats can become "addicted" and refuse their own food.

How often can cats eat tuna?

Once or twice a week as a small treat is reasonable for most cats.

Can cats eat tuna in oil?

It is better to choose tuna in water. Oil adds calories and fat.

Is tuna cat food okay?

Yes. Complete and balanced commercial tuna cat foods are formulated with the nutrients cats need.

Can kittens eat tuna?

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.

More "can cats eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods cats can eat · foods cats can't eat

Sources

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.

Can Cats Eat Tuna?