Help! I Don’t Want to Do Anything Wrong! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hi Dr. Paola,
I have heard of something called feline pansteatitis. I have a healthy short-haired cat called Frodo, who likes cat food with mackerel and sardines (Applaws). He is on a combined dry and wet food diet. One tin of wet food is about 70 g; the rest is dry food, Eukanuba. Now he weighs 4500 kg and is about 11 months old. My question is: is it generally unsafe to give him cat food brands made of boiled mackerel and sardines, even in addition to chicken-based Eukanuba dry food? Or is it safe, but not every day/once a week/once a month? Should I supplement vitamin E or not (Eukanuba contains vitamin E, but will he get enough of that when also fed this fish wet food?)? I need to know, my cat is presently a healthy, active, happy cat, and I do not want to do anything wrong with his feeding.” – Anna
Quick Info about Frodo
Hi Anna,
That’s an excellent and very responsible question. You are right that Applaws Mackerel with Sardine in Broth is a complementary food, which means it is not nutritionally complete on its own. While oily fish such as sardines and mackerel provide valuable omega-3 fatty acids, they also contain high levels of unsaturated fats that can predispose cats to pansteatitis if fed too frequently without sufficient antioxidant protection, mainly vitamin E. This condition, sometimes called “yellow fat disease,” causes painful inflammation of fat tissue when oxidative damage occurs.
Since Frodo’s main diet is a complete, balanced formula like Eukanuba, it already supplies the necessary vitamin E and other nutrients to keep his fatty acids in check. Offering a small portion of the Applaws fish variety once or twice a week is perfectly safe for a healthy young cat and adds some enjoyable variety to his diet. Feeding it daily or as a large part of his calorie intake, however, could unbalance the diet over time. Supplementing vitamin E separately is not recommended unless advised by a veterinarian, as excessive vitamin E can also disrupt nutrient balance.
Think of the fish tins as a treat or side dish rather than a staple meal. With Eukanuba as his main food and Applaws given occasionally, Frodo’s diet remains both safe and enjoyable. Something else to consider is that Applaws does offer other protein varieties, and this could be used as occasional toppers or treats in a rotation to provide Frodo with the variety he craves. But a complete and balanced diet should be the base of his diet to ensure Frodo receives all the essential nutrients he needs. You’re doing a great job staying informed and protecting his long-term health. I hope this helps!
Dr. Paola