International Sushi Day is coming up on June 18th, so maybe you’re considering making or ordering a roll to celebrate. Well, then maybe it’s a good time to ask whether we should give our kitties a taste of this yummy dish.
The short answer is that it’s probably best for you to skip sharing the sushi with your cat.
Depictions of cats in children’s books and cartoons usually show us that our beloved felines feast on a diet of nothing but freshly caught, raw fish. As anyone who’s adopted a cat will know, that’s far from the truth.
However, as we gear up to chow down on International Sushi Day, let’s look a bit more into whether it’s safe to share your sushi with your kitty.
How Safe Is Sushi For Cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that’s made up of nearly all protein. Fish, obviously, is a great source of protein, and many commercial cat foods use fish as a core ingredient.
So a piece of salmon sashimi should be great for your feline, right?
Well, not exactly. Some cats actually have an allergy to certain types of fish, so that’s one warning flag.
Secondly, raw fish contains thiaminase, which can wind up breaking down B vitamins and even cause a thiamine deficiency in your kitty.
Also, just like feeding your cat tuna, depending on the fish used in your sushi, you might be unwittingly exposing your kitty to mercury poisoning.
What About The Rice In Sushi?
The rice used to create sushi rolls will not poison your cat, but it’s definitely not healthy for them either.
This is mainly because sushi rice contains an abundance of sugar and sodium. Plus, with rice being a carb-heavy foodstuff, it could put your cat on a path to feline obesity.
Should You Feed Your Cat Sushi?
In short, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid letting your cat scarf down some of your sushi.
Although, if you do want to treat kitty for International Sushi Day, serve them just the tiniest morsel of sushi, and make sure there’s no wasabi anywhere near it.
There may be some safe versions of sushi that you can make for your cat. However, you must consult your veterinarian about the ingredients first. That is, unless you’re a real pro like the guy in the video below.
Of course, you can always opt to splurge on a fish-flavored Fancy Feast, instead, just so your kitty can have their own version of sushi for the holiday.
Do you and your cat enjoy fish together? Are you going to serve them something special for International Sushi Day? Tell us about it in the comments below!
