Can cats get mercury poisoning from canned tuna?
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it’s packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won’t hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won’t have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Does canned cat food have mercury?
Mercury concentrations were higher in cat foods than dog foods, with nine wet cat food brands containing greater than 100 ng/g of mercury.
How much tuna can cause mercury poisoning in cats?
Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat’s tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tuna—not albacore, which is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher. These rare indulgences should account for no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calories.
Can mercury poisoning be reversed in cats?
Because the neurologic and renal damage resulting from mercury poisoning is irreversible, treatment may be ineffective.
What are the signs of mercury poisoning in cats?
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include dizziness and loss of coordination and balance. Pet parents should keep albacore tuna, in particular, away from cats because it “is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher (than chunk-light),” says Heinze.
Is canned tuna in water bad for cats?
What Kind of Tuna Can Cats Eat? If you choose to offer your cat the occasional tuna treat, you can choose canned tuna or fresh tuna. Select canned tuna packed in water, not canned tuna in oil or canned tuna with added salt or other flavorings.
Can a cat get mercury poisoning from tuna?
So it’s possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat’s tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tuna—not albacore, which is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher.
How can you tell if your cat has mercury poisoning?
Dahlia: Mercury poisoning is pretty rare in cats, and in people. It is usually diagnosed by a blood test or a test of the hair/fur. Siouxsie: If a diagnostic test indicates that your cat has mercury poisoning, a therapy called chelation can be done to eliminate the mercury from his body.
Is it dangerous to feed my cat tuna?
Siouxsie: The high levels of mercury in tuna can be dangerous, too. If tuna is fed occasionally, it’s not a big deal — but if you feed him tuna every day, you could be risking mercury poisoning.
Is it safe to feed my cat fish?
Keep your cat safe from mercury. If you must feed fish-based foods, examine cat food labels carefully. Many commercial foods have small amounts of fish even in varieties labeled as poultry, beef or other proteins. Unfortunately, health regulations for meat and fish used in pet food are far more lax than they are for human foods.
So it’s possible that mercury poisoning happens, but is not diagnosed. Until veterinarians know more, limit your cat’s tuna consumption to occasional treats of canned chunk-light tuna—not albacore, which is from a larger species of tuna with mercury levels almost three times higher.
How old does a cat have to be to get mercury poisoning?
Compromised kidney function in cats over ten or 12 years of age is epidemic. It may sound a bit complicated, but let’s take a look at how all this works in your cat’s organs. Mercury irreversibly inhibits selenium-dependent enzymes.
Siouxsie: The high levels of mercury in tuna can be dangerous, too. If tuna is fed occasionally, it’s not a big deal — but if you feed him tuna every day, you could be risking mercury poisoning.
Are there any pet foods that are toxic to cats?
The fish and shellfish found in many cat foods are the main source of mercury exposure in felines. Unfortunately, health laws for meat and fish in pet foods are much more lenient than they are for human foods. The FDA has not established toxic levels of heavy metals in pet foods.
