There are few greater gifts than welcoming a beautiful new kitten into your home.
With all that joy and excitement, though, can come bouts of fear and trepidation.
“Am I giving them the correct care?” “Is my home kitten-proof?” “How do I know if they are happy?”
One of the questions we hear a lot at Encore is, “Can my kitten eat tuna?”
The simple and straightforward answer is, “Yes, they can.” However, there are a few caveats.
Let us explain.
What are the nutritional benefits of tuna for a kitten?
- High in protein. Our kittens need protein in order to grow big, strong and healthy. In fact, kittens have a generally higher protein requirement than adult cats, which means we need to make sure we are feeding them a diet that accounts for this. Tuna is a great source of protein, as well as other essential nutrients.
- Packed with vitamins and minerals. Tuna isn’t just a tasty treat for our felines, it also provides them with vitamins B12, C, B6, along with the minerals manganese and potassium. This cocktail of goodness can help improve a kitten’s immunity, while boosting growth development.
- Rich in omega-3. These essential fatty acids can help strengthen a kitten’s immune system at a faster rate, reducing the threat of infectious diseases. They can also prevent the onset of inflammatory diseases such as heart disease and arthritis, and can contribute to a full and shinier coat.
Should I give my kitten tuna as part of a balanced diet?
Moderation is key if you are thinking about introducing tinned tuna into your kitten’s diet.
Your feline will no doubt love the taste and smell it brings to their bowl; however, despite the aforementioned benefits, too much tuna can be harmful to our beloved pets.
This is because tuna, on its own, is not nutritionally balanced, which is why it should never be used as a regular or full meal.
If you do want to treat your kitten to the occasional bite, maybe as a treat, make sure it comes in freshwater (not brine or oil).
Also, bear in mind that if you begin to regularly treat them to the odd piece of tuna, some kittens may over time become ‘addicted’ to the taste, making it more difficult for you to get them to stick to a complete and well-balanced diet.
At Encore, we believe the best way to incorporate tuna into a kitten’s meal plan is through foods that use the protein-rich fish as a primary ingredient.
Recipes like our Tuna Fillet with Whitebait in Broth Pouch, or our Tuna with Salmon in Jelly Tin, are 100% natural, packed with goodness, and serve as a perfect complementary meal for kittens. We recommend serving a combination of dry and wet food to ensure our felines are getting a wide range of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
Try a tuna treat
Healthy treats are a fantastic way of showing our kittens just how much we love them, or how well they’re behaving. Encore’s Whole Tuna Loin treat is 100% tuna, 100% natural, 100% tasty; the perfect reward for a well-behaved feline.
If you loved the insights from this guide, then you may also enjoy: