Is it safe to feed my cat surimi (artificial crab) occasionally?

Hi there and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Feeding a fish based commercial diet that is nutritionally complete is just fine as long as Cinderella is not allergic to the fish in the food you are giving. Cats that are fed raw fish frequently is more of the concern as they can develop serious nutritional deficits and vitamin deficiencies such as Thiamine deficiency which can be deadly. It is for this reason feeding raw fish primarily to cats is not recommended. However, feeding a small amount of tuna from a can occasionally as a treat is okay and will not cause a vitamin deficiency as long as they are also eating a commercially prepared food. No need to change the food Cinderella is enjoying now. From what you described, it sounds like she has tried a few foods that may have been giving her runny stools so if she is doing well on this particular food from Taste of the Wild, then I would keep her on that. I hope this helps!

If your cats have not had any issues with either product then they are probably ok for a treat occasionally for your kitties. The sardines if they contain bones may pose a slight risk as occasionally we can see obstruction or damage to the esophagus or stomach due to bones. If the sardines in tomato sauce have garlic or onion in them, they would not be recommended. Neither food would be recommended as a sole diet however as they wouldn't be a complete and balanced diet for your kitty.

I would advise against feeding many of these canned fish options meant for human consumption due to the extremely high sodium content. Cats do not do well with that much sodium in their diet. If there is no other option and it is going to be a ONE TIME thing, don't let your cat starve, but I wouldn't do it more than once.

A small amount is unlikely to do any harm, however it is probably too high in sodium to make a good treat for Lily. I'd also be concerned about mackerel causing vomiting or diarrhea. I'd suggest finding a cat specific treat made by Royal Canin or another pet food company as these will be less likely to cause GI distress. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

If you feed occasionally and in moderation, it should not be cause for concern. Discuss the recurring UTI with your vet. Consider a urine culture and sensitivity panel to identify the organism responsible as well as the best antibiotic to use in treatment. Reculture the urine after a course of antibiotics to confirm resolution. Abdominal xrays or ultrasound can diagnose stones or tumors in the kidneys or bladder or bladder inflammation (cystitis). Sometimes, a cause for cystitis cannot be diagnosed. The sardines will contain beneficial omega 3 essential fatty acids which are thought to decrease inflammation. Consider adding an EFA supplement to the diet. Recommended brands to be discussed with your vet are DermCaps or EicosaCaps.

Although good as a treat, sardines do not make up a balanced diet. What your kitty is doing is training you to feed her what she wants, when she wants it. Discontinue feeding the sardines. You can mix a tiny bit of the water from the can into the food to simulate her appetite. Warming the food slightly may also help. Be firm and be consistent. She won't starve herself.

It certainly doesn't hurt Her Khan to eat both diets. I do shy away from using any exotic meats such as rabbit or venison, just in case he were to develop IBD as an older cat. I think sticking to 'normal' proteins is just fine. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions