Mackerel & sardines for my cats?

[wartrace]

They LOVE the whiskas brand wet food packs of mackerel & sardines. They don't really like the tuna entree or the whitefish entree that are part of the box. I was thinking about buying canned sardines & mackerel to feed them. I only use the wet food as a supplement to their dry food. Good idea or bad?

[Lyric]

1. I think it would be okay, so long as

you let them eat the bones, too. Most sardines do have some soft, edible bones, and those are good for cats.

:hi:

[wartrace]

4. Thanks for the advice.

I don't want to do anything that could be harmful to the guys.

[geardaddy]

2. Screw the cats.

Mackeral and sardines for ME!

Yum!

[wartrace]

3. I've never been a fan of seafood.

Apparently "Flea taxi & Chairman Meow" find it quite tasty. I always wondered who bought those cans of sardines in the store- I might try one just to see what I am missing.

[geardaddy]

5. If you've never been a fan,

You're not missing much. I just love 'em though. Anchovies even better!

[lizziegrace]

6. I'd worry about the huge amounts of sodium

in packed sardines. When I was feeding the cats a raw diet (trying to get Gracie to stop having 2-year long ear infections) I read that sodium is very bad for cats and dogs.

Maybe as an occasional small treat, but I wouldn't feed it routinely.

[Dangerously Amused]

7. Strongly seconded.

I'd run it past your vet, but I bet that's exactly what s/he'd say, too.

[wartrace]

8. Thanks, I didn't think about that.

Fortunatly my "test run" last night did not go over too well with them. They didn't eat any of it. I guess it is back to the cat food variety.

[lizziegrace]

9. Their kidneys can't process sodium

it's never been a part of their natural diet.

Email the company and see if you can get just the pouches your cats like. :)

[whistler162]

10. You are going to serve them Sea Kittens!!!!!!

OHNOES!!!!!

http://www.peta.org/sea_kittens/

[barb162]

11. I see no problem and for cystits the vets often recommend wet foods

Check for lowest ash contents and things like that which are bad for their systems. What I notice most is they like variety.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

12. Do any pet shops around you have Tiki Cat?

It's made with real sardines, mackerel, etc. Except it doesn't have any of the sodium and stuff in the human food. My IBS cat LOVES the stuff, and it's one of the few things his stomach can handle.