posted 10-22-2003 04:21 PM           

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as I wrote in the subject line, is it okay to feed cats rinsed out low sodium people tuna fish? My cat had been losing hair, someone told me that would help, and it did, but now she has a urinary tract infection.

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From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-22-2003 04:31 PM         

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From what I've read, tuna is OK as an occasional treat. But feeding large amounts of tuna can be dangerous as it contains a lot of heavy metals such as mercury.

In fact it's even recommended that women under 140lbs limit thier tuna intake to 1 can/week and pregnant women don't eat it at all! Considering a cat is a lot smaller than an adult woman I'd give only small amounts of tuna.

I don't know if much about urinary infections in cats, so I'm afraid I can't be too much help.

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From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-22-2003 04:31 PM         

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From what I've read, tuna is OK as an occasional treat. But feeding large amounts of tuna can be dangerous as it contains a lot of heavy metals such as mercury.

In fact it's even recommended that women under 140lbs limit thier tuna intake to 1 can/week and pregnant women don't eat it at all! Considering a cat is a lot smaller than an adult woman I'd give only small amounts of tuna.

I don't know if much about urinary infections in cats, so I'm afraid I can't be too much help.

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From:New Zealand
Registered: May 2003

posted 10-23-2003 12:54 AM         

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I read that if a cat only eats tuna they will end up with a nutritunal deficiency. I can't remember what in (a protein I think), but the book I read was a vet type book. I think it was a well researched problem in the 1980's so there should be some infomation about it on the web. I have a feeling it involves a heart problem. Well thats pretty vague, sorry.

As for heavy metals, I would say that depends where the fish comes from. Unfortunatly, getting honest info on this might be a bit difficult so it might be better to be safe than sorry.

Maybe the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in the tuna is what your cat needs. Talk to your vet about it. I know those fatty acids can really help fur condition (and other things), but its a good idea to know what dosage to give your cat as omega 6 can reduce blood pressure. You would be able to give your cat a supplment from a health store to give her the fatty acids.

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