Cats can eat kippers – but not the ones that are sold for human consumption. If you want to give kippers to your cat, you need to buy them raw and cook them yourself. Canned kippers have too much salt and oil for a cat to eat.
Unfortunately, you cannot share a can of kippers with your cat. Even though your cat will probably find them delicious, canned kippers are too much trouble for your little friend. A cat’s stomach can’t digest all those extra ingredients with ease. There’s no problem for humans, though!
That’s not to say cats can’t eat kippers. You have to prepare them yourself, though. Keep it simple when you do: use nothing but water, cook for a little bit, and then serve.
Can cats eat kipper bones?
Cats eating kipper bones is a bit of a tricky situation. When the fish is raw, bones are not a problem for a cat – but cats aren’t supposed to eat raw fish. On the other hand, when you cook fish, its bones become a choking hazard.
You should debone cooked kipper (or any other fish) before giving it to your cat. Otherwise, there’s a big chance the bones will break and get stuck somewhere inside your cat – and that’s not something you want to happen!
If your cat managed to steal a kipper from you before you cooked it, don’t worry about it. The bones from uncooked kipper are not a problem – but raw fish is a problem, though, so watch out for any digestive issues happening to your cat!
What’s the best way to prepare kippers for a cat?
When it comes to cooking kipper, you have to keep things simple. Boiling kippers in water is more than enough for a cat. Forget about olive oil, butter, salt, lemon, or anything like that. When you’re using a cat-friendly recipe, the less you use, the more gourmet it is.
The best cat-friendly kipper recipe is rather simple: warm water in a pan and wait until it boils; then, put the kippers in the pan for five to ten minutes; after that, drain the kippers; finally, serve them for your soon-to-be happy cat.
You may think that’s a little too bland of a recipe – and if that meal was for a human to eat, it would be. Cats have a different taste for things, and they also have different needs. This recipe is just right for them!
Can I use kippers as a cat treat?
You should use kippers as a cat treat, not as a cat food replacement. Whenever you’re adding something new to your cat’s diet, you need to remember it’s always supposed to be a cat treat. Cat food is always a must!
Your cat has specific nutritional requirements it needs to meet. The only way to make that happen is by giving it cat food every day. Every once in a while, you can use something else, like kippers, as a treat – but only as a treat.