Food safety

Can Cats Eat Smoked Salmon?

Not recommended — Smoked Salmon for cats.

Not recommended

Why: Smoked salmon is salmon cured with a lot of salt. The fish itself is fine for cats, but the salt load is the problem — too much salt can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and, in large amounts, salt poisoning. Plain cooked salmon is the better choice.

If your cat ate smoked salmon: A small piece is not an emergency. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related: Salmon, Canned Salmon, Sardines

Why this verdict

Smoked salmon is salmon cured with a lot of salt. The fish itself is fine for cats, but the salt load is the problem — too much salt can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and, in large amounts, salt poisoning. Plain cooked salmon is the better choice.

If your cat ate smoked salmon

A small piece is not an emergency. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related foods

Salmon, Canned Salmon, Sardines

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.