This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can a cat eat fish bones?” we will also discuss the major threats of consuming cooked bones, the major threats of consuming uncooked bones, and what you can do if your cat has eaten a large number of fish bones.
Can a cat eat fish bones?
No, cats cannot eat fish bones. It is not safe and healthy for your cat to eat fish bones because they can lodge in the throat and can cause obstruction and choking in your cat. It can also cause internal injuries and can lead to the death of your cat.
What are the major threats of consuming cooked fish bones?
Following are the major threats of consuming cooked fish bones for your cat:
Choking
The first problem is choking. Choking is due to obstruction in the esophagus. Cats are unable to break down fish bones and they can slip and get stuck in the esophagus of your cat which can lead to obstruction.
Following are the major clinical signs of choking in your cat:
- Pawing at head
- Difficulty in breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Unable to vomit
Choking can be deadly because the expanded esophagus can put pressure on the trachea which can lead to tracheal collapse and the death of your cat.
You can resolve this issue by placing the back of the cat on your chest and moving your both hands upwards by gently pressing the abdomen of your cat.
Internal injuries
The sharp edges of the fish bones can cause lesions in the oral cavity of your cat. This can lead to gum inflammation which can lead to pain and bleeding. Your cat will not be able to eat anything. Cats are sensitive creatures.
Following are the major clinical signs of mouth lesion in your cat:
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Pain when you touch the mouth
- Less interest in food
The fish bones if slipped through the mouth can enter the intestine and can cause lesions in the intestine. The lesions in the intestine can bleed which can lead to feces that have blood in it. If you see blood-mixed faces you can consider this condition in your diagnosis list.
Following are the major clinical signs of intestinal injuries in case of fish bones eaten by your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Blood in stool
- Swollen intestine
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Intestinal blockage
The fish bones can also cause intestinal blockage in your cat which can be very painful for your cat. Intestinal blockage is not easily diagnosed as it gives confusing signs that are related to other conditions too.
The only way to diagnose the intestinal blockage is to take an x-ray of the abdomen which will tell you whether there is a foreign body in the intestine or not.
What are the major threats of consuming uncooked fish bones?
Following are the major threats of consuming uncooked fish bones for your cat:
Bacterial infection
The fish bones may have several bacteria as it is raw in nature which can cause several problems for your cat. The first bacterium is salmonella which can cause food poisoning in humans and cats.
This bacteria can spread to humans by contact with the body secretion of the cats. If you are cleaning the poop of your cat you can contract this bacteria.
Following are the major clinical signs of salmonellosis in your cat:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Weakness
The second bacteria is E.coli which can also upset the stomach of your cat and can also cause bloody diarrhea in your cat.
Stomach upset
The next problem that your cat can face is stomach upset. The raw fish bones are not easy to digest therefore they can upset the stomach of your cat.
What can you do if your cat ate too many fish bones?
The first thing you need to do is figure out how many fish bones your cat has eaten. The second thing you need to figure out is whether the fish bones were cooked or uncooked. After that, you have to observe your cat for 24 hours and if your cat shows signs of distress and discomfort you should take your cat to the vet.
The vet will analyze the condition of your cat. The history is very important which will help the vet to understand the situation. After that, your vet will go for therapy. He might use antibiotics and fluid therapy in case of stomach upset and other minor problems.
Conclusion
In this blog, we answered the major question, “Can a cat eat fish bones?” we also discussed the major threats of consuming cooked bones, the major threats of consuming uncooked bones, and what you can do if your cat has eaten a large number of fish bones.
