Fish sauce is an anchovy-based condiment made with salt that contains high levels of sodium – something cats should avoid even in small doses.
Cats possess an acute sense of smell, and can detect the aroma of fish sauce used as a dipping sauce.
High in Sodium
Fish sauce, an Asian culinary classic composed of fermented fish and salt, is used in many Asian cuisines as a dipping sauce or added to soups and stir fries. Although small amounts may not cause harm to cats, excessive exposure could have serious health repercussions; due to the sodium content that can lead to dehydration. Furthermore, it contains other potentially toxic components, including monosodium glutamate and sodium benzoate that could potentially poison their systems.
Even if your cat just tastes some fish sauce off of your plate, it is still important to keep it away. One teaspoon of fish sauce has over 1000 milligrams of sodium; far above their daily recommended limit. This could be especially hazardous given that cats can easily become dehydrated and need regular drinks of water in order to stay hydrated.
If you are concerned about the sodium levels in your cat’s food, consulting your vet is often best. In addition, look for products with salt percentage listed on their labels as some may contain hidden sources. Also make sure to inspect any treats your cat receives as these could also contain hidden salt sources.
Fish sauce should also be avoided due to its content of raw fish, which poses serious threats for cats. Such seafood could contain parasites and bacteria, making your cat very sick; additionally it may contain thiaminase that destroys essential vitamin thiamine necessary for their well-being – lacking this will lead to neurological issues including confusion and seizures in some cats.
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, contact their veterinarian immediately. He or she may need to administer intravenous fluids in order to reverse dehydration and replace any essential minerals like potassium and magnesium that they’ve lost due to being dehydrated for too long. It is crucial that their usual diet be resumed as quickly as possible as longer dehydration increases the likelihood that they will become sick or die altogether.
High in Histamine
Histamine-laden commercial fish-based pet foods should raise concerns, as histamine has long been recognized to cause allergic reactions in cats and dogs with sensitive immune systems. Histamine is produced naturally as byproduct of protein degradation and can result in symptoms including itching, scratching, vomiting and watery eyes if too much histamine builds up in their systems.
This study’s objective is to analyze the presence of histamine in canned pet foods and assess its concentration during storage under various environmental conditions. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was employed for this task; 48 samples of fish and fish sauce from Italy’s supermarkets or specialty shops were purchased; an aliquot was immediately analysed upon opening; histamine was detected in 12 of them with concentrations between 1.5-30.1 mg/kg.
On a separate set of positive samples, one was kept as a control and stored at -20 degC for analysis, while six more were exposed to various environmental conditions for 10 days. Results demonstrated that histamine levels increased when stored under high temperatures; conversely, those exposed to refrigeration temperature experienced reduced concentration. Histamine levels never exceeded the EU limit of 100 mg/kg established for fishery products.
Histamine is a naturally-occurring compound produced in the human body, acting as an anti-inflammatory by binding to its receptors and binding with them. Histamine also functions as a neurotransmitter to help regulate blood vessels, nerves and muscles function as well as providing essential regulation within immune systems by producing antibodies that neutralize allergens.
Humans exposed to histamine can experience symptoms including hives, rashes, runny noses, itching and watery eyes. For cats however, histamine exposure may result in allergies like Atopic Dermatitis (itchy skin), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma.
A low histamine diet may help alleviate these symptoms and enhance your cat’s quality of life. With Fig, you can instantly determine whether a fish sauce product is histamine-friendly by scanning its barcode with your smartphone. Fig will identify ingredients which could contain high amounts of histamine while providing low histamine alternatives.
Can Cause Anxiety
Anxiety can affect people and animals alike, including cats. When it comes to humans, anxiety often stems from a series of stressful life events like moving homes, divorce proceedings and major changes. Many pet owners may not realize that anxiety also has an effect on cats; cats experiencing anxiety may act differently from usual and may become destructive or exhibit compulsive behaviors. If you notice your cat acting anxiously it’s important to visit their veterinarian as soon as possible – there are medications available which can treat anxiety in cats effectively so you’ll keep both parties happy and healthy!
Fish sauce, made of fermented fish, has a strong, pungent odor that attracts cats and can contain additives that are bad for them, such as high levels of sodium. Dehydration caused by excessive sodium consumption in fish sauce could potentially pose health problems to cats.
Fish sauce contains ingredients which may be toxic to cats, particularly if they are allergic to seafood. Affected cats can exhibit symptoms including itchy skin, vomiting and diarrhea as well as respiratory difficulties. To minimize your cat’s exposure to harmful ingredients in fish sauce it is wise to feed low sodium varieties only.
Though you have many sauce options available to you for your pet, it is crucial that you read labels thoroughly. Many commercial sauces contain ingredients which could harm cats, such as onions and garlic; therefore only use products made of safe ingredients, like red sauce created from fresh tomatoes and olive oil.
If you want to give your cat’s food more flavor without using fish sauce, add a bit of chicken or beef broth as an alternative source. This will give them similar tastes while being much safer; just be sure that any chosen broth doesn’t include ingredients that could harm him such as onions or garlic.
Can Cause Digestive Issues
Fish sauce contains high levels of sodium which may cause digestive issues in cats, as well as ingredients like garlic and onion that could potentially trigger allergic reactions in some cats. Fish sauce’s high sodium content may wreak havoc with their digestive systems and lead to upset stomachs as well as vomiting or diarrhea – problems which should be avoided at all costs in order to ensure the wellbeing of both owners and felines alike.
Many Asian recipes call for fish sauce, making sushi dishes possible. Sushi is composed of vinegared rice with various other ingredients including raw fish, avocado, vegetables, and seaweed. Cats may enjoy eating cooked fish but should avoid raw varieties as this could contain salmonella, E coli bacteria as well as an enzyme called thiaminase which destroys essential B vitamin thiamine which could result in dementia, confusion seizures or even coma in cats.
Fish sauce contains high levels of sodium, as well as other additives and preservatives which may be harmful for cats. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), for instance, may trigger allergies in some cats while certain varieties also contain histamine which could pose risks to those sensitive to histamine; other preservatives found in fish sauce like sodium benzoate can also lead to gastrointestinal distress in cats.
Conclusions In general, it is best to avoid fish sauce and other condiments that contain fish for cat consumption. Instead, opt for seasonings and sauces that are safe for cats such as red sauce (low salt content and no harmful ingredients) or chicken broths to add flavor and moisture. Always remember that nothing should replace a balanced diet for your cat if extra nutrition is required – consult a vet or pet nutritionist for recommendations regarding supplements that could aid their wellbeing and longevity!