Question:
I live by the ocean and my husband brings fish home daily. My dogs and cats love it, but the last time I visited my vet I asked if it was OK to feed them fresh fish so often. She told me "No," and said that it could lead to urinary tract infection because it can turn into crystals. Could this be true?.
D.S., Marathon, FL Jan 18, 2004
Answer:
Your veterinarian must know something I don't. It is my understanding that a high-carbohydrate diet for cats, not a diet high in animal (fish) protein and fat, is a major factor in the genesis of urinary crystals (struvites) and of feline urologic syndrome. Dogs are more omnivorous than cats, and are less at risk from a high-starch diet. Provided you are not feeding your dogs and cats just fish, but also a balanced diet of other protein, fat and carbohydrates (less for cats than for dogs) from a diversity of other whole foods, I see no problem.Feeding too much raw fish can cause health problems, as can feeding too much deep-sea fish (like tuna that is contaminated with mercury) and farmed salmon (and salmon oil) that is loaded with toxic PCB's and dioxins. Also note that some cats are allergic to fish.
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