cats and tuna fish

[stonekicker]

I have an aged puddy tat (around 10 years - I don't know her exact age as she was a foundling brought into our family!). Anyway, she has always liked the odd bit of tuna, but just lately she has become very demanding and vocal around feeding time - clearly expecting tuna every time she is fed. This is not normally like her as she is a very quiet cat and doesn't even purr! At the moment, I am being a bit of a softie and giving her some tuna every other day. she also eats iams biscuits that are out, but my question is - how much tuna should you give a cat? is the amount i am giving her harmful or is she just asking for what she needs? would reall appreciate some advice as i just don't know. mtia x

[wolf63]

My boy cat manipulates me into what he wants to eat when he wants to eat it - half three in the morning is seemingly okay for a snack of Felix.

I believe that it is a fallacy that cats self-regulate their eating so she may just keep guzzling the tuna until you run out of money.

Saying "No" to a 'starving' cat is not easy. Frankie is on steroids for his asthma and is worse than ever with the "feed me" routine. His sister Merlin doesn't really love food the same way. They both love tuna - half a tin between them once in a blue moon.

Good luck - my money is on the puddy tat.

PS it might be worth taking her to the vet. Thyroid problems in cats can cause them to be more vocal and more demanding. Not too sure about tuna obsessions though.

[Pressgang1]

Please make sure your pud isn't gettinng too much salt - tinned tuna isn't exactly a natural diet for a cat :0).

But on the assumption you don't want to start supplying dead mice and fledglings, can I suggest you try mixing a wee bit into 'normal' cat food so the smell permeates through?

Cats will pig out just like dogs!

[karenmac60]

Too much fish in his diet will give him bad dandruff.

[jules77]

I believe too much Tuna is harmful due to the mercury and it can cause yellow fat disease.

[stonekicker]

ok - many thanks. it seems i may have to make an old lady very unhappy...x

[DrFilth]

all my cats had tuna once a day. this was the eldest just missed out on her 20th birthday.they had a choice of meals and would eat what they wanted

http://s655.photobuck...009_0202snow0001.jpg.

[boxtops]

My cats love tuna cat food. A brand like Hilife has plenty of tuna in it, and a good strong tuna-y smell, plus it has the nutrients which cats need (unlike a tin of tuna from the human food department). Felix Good as it Looks is as Good as it Gets. Could be your cat's sense of smell is less strong as it gets older - I have two 10-year olds and one will take smelly food in preference to something more bland. My cats are very demanding at food time - could be she is just hungry, or... is she on a wormer? I agree with wolf, cats are opportunistic feeders. In our house, any human coming through the front door = must be teatime!