Food safety

Can Cats Eat Canned Salmon?

Safe in small amounts — Canned Salmon for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Plain canned salmon in water is a good source of protein and omega-3s. Watch the salt: canned fish can be very salty, and salmon in oil adds fat. Remove any bones, and avoid salmon with added flavourings.

Safe serving: A tablespoon of plain canned salmon in water, once or twice a week at most.

If your cat ate canned salmon: No action needed for a small amount of plain canned salmon. Offer fresh water if it was salty.

Related: Salmon, Sardines, Smoked Salmon

Why this verdict

Plain canned salmon in water is a good source of protein and omega-3s. Watch the salt: canned fish can be very salty, and salmon in oil adds fat. Remove any bones, and avoid salmon with added flavourings.

Safe serving

A tablespoon of plain canned salmon in water, once or twice a week at most.

If your cat ate canned salmon

No action needed for a small amount of plain canned salmon. Offer fresh water if it was salty.

Related foods

Salmon, Sardines, Smoked Salmon

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.