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Can cats eat canned tuna (for people)?

Avoid

Packed in oil and salt, and regular feeding leads to picky eating and imbalance.

Avoid; if needed, a spoonful of unsalted tuna in water, occasionally.

Why

Many human tuna cans contain vegetable oil and salt. A tuna-heavy diet can cause vitamin E deficiency (steatitis, 'yellow fat disease') and mercury build-up, and the strong taste often leads cats to refuse their food. If you must, use unsalted tuna in water, drained, a spoonful, rarely.

If your cat has a condition

  • Kidney disease Avoid Lower than the 2,000 mg/1000kcal kidney-diet line. Phosphorus 966 mg/1000kcal
  • Diabetes Avoid Low in carbohydrate. Carbs 0% of calories
  • Heart disease (HCM) Avoid Salt varies by brand — skip human tuna cans with heart disease. Sodium 766 mg/1000kcal
  • Urinary stones Avoid No specific stone concern known — water intake matters more.

Nutrition per 100 g

Nutrients per 100 g, with phosphorus also shown per 1000 kcal
Calories205 kcal
Protein22.31 g
Fat10.6 g
Carbohydrate0 g
Phosphorus198 mg 966 mg/1000kcal
Sodium157 mg
Potassium247 mg

Source: Korea MFDS Food Nutrient Database — 다랑어류_가다랑어_육_기름담금 통조림_대표_평균

SourcesReviewed 2026-10-24