Can I give them a little fish?

Hi, I'm new here and to cats in general. My adoption by my cats is on New Cats on the Block.
I have one adult and 4 three-month-old kittens. All in good health and vet checked. They only eat their Science Diet kitten.

I just baked some redfish with basil and oregano and a little olive oil. If I don't give them the outside part with the herbs and oil, would it hurt to give them a little bit?

Thanks for any thoughts or opinions.

Autumn

It won't hurt to give them a little bit

Originally Posted by brown

Hi, I'm new here and to cats in general. My adoption by my cats is on New Cats on the Block.
I have one adult and 4 three-month-old kittens. All in good health and vet checked. They only eat their Science Diet kitten.

I just baked some redfish with basil and oregano and a little olive oil. If I don't give them the outside part with the herbs and oil, would it hurt to give them a little bit?

Thanks for any thoughts or opinions.

Autumn

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Save some for me, I'll be right over!

Thanks, they liked it. (Me too) I wish I could share, I hate eating the same thing 3-4 days in a row, but I hate wasting it even more. The woes of cooking for one (human)

The only problem with giving them table food is that you are habituating them to expect it, and it migh turn them into beggers. My boys NEVER get any of my food. Sometimes, I will save some raw salmon for them and feed it to them at THEIR mealtime, not as a treat from my food.

Originally Posted by portdevoix

The only problem with giving them table food is that you are habituating them to expect it, and it migh turn them into beggers. My boys NEVER get any of my food. Sometimes, I will save some raw salmon for them and feed it to them at THEIR mealtime, not as a treat from my food.

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if only someone had warned me eight months ago! thankfully mavericks a very polite kitty and is content to give my food a sniff then wait until i've finished for a morsal or two. she never eats of my plate and as my eyes are bigger than my belly theres always a lot to go around!

It is ok as as a small snack ever so often. Sierra always enjoys an occassional special baked fish treat! Her favorite is Mahi-Mahi! Hope your babies enjoy their treat!

Originally Posted by portdevoix

The only problem with giving them table food is that you are habituating them to expect it, and it migh turn them into beggers. My boys NEVER get any of my food. Sometimes, I will save some raw salmon for them and feed it to them at THEIR mealtime, not as a treat from my food.

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Oh yes, mine came from a home where they were allowed to take food from plates while the people were still eating! It took six months to break their expectations, but we had to use food rewards to hammer the message home. If so much as one paw went on the table, they got nothing. If they managed to keep off the table, they might have got something, but this was never guaranteed. My OH is always treating the cats, and then he complains that they won't leave him alone while he is having a biscuit for e.g.! I never give them anything until I've finished, they leave me alone while I'm eating. I also put any treats I give them into their bowls, which helps the cats to know what they are allowed to have.

With fish be careful they don't get any big bones that might stick in their throats, and nothing that has been cooked with salt. Otherwise, I have always given my cats fish sometimes,both bought specially for htem and leftovers, as long as they don't associate any of it with people food.

Originally Posted by jennyranson

as long as they don't associate any of it with people food.

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Yep. It's already bad enough that they know what the kitchen is for. However, once they have their food, they leave me alone for the rest of the day, until it's time for their next meal. I trim off a piece of my salmon (the only fish I eat) before I cook it, and save it for them.

I too give my bambini people food leftovers after dinner (or lunch, or breakfast) when it is meat or fish, and not coated in sauce or spices. The cats know there is a good chance they'll get some if they behave, have NEVER come on the table when we're eating, even the little one. After we're done they get the scraps in their bowl, far far away from the table : ) They don't associate food with anywhere but their bowl, except for occasional tartar or hairball treats on the couch at night.

We do this about once a week, and they don't seem to expect it, but they sure love it. As with all pets and children, consistancy rules.

I give our kitties an occasional treat of microwaved fish. Before I cook it, I cut off a very small section and put it in the microwave for a few seconds - just until done. (Remember - garlic is not good for cats.)

For those of you who feed them raw fish, there is a risk. Tripod had a very nasty tapeworm from eating raw fish. Apparently the raw fish had tapeworm. It is different than the ones cats usually get. It took 32 times the normal amount of tapeworm medicine to get rid of it.