Anchovy

**Almost all anchovies sold are salted or oil-packed and extremely salty**, and a heavy salt load poisons cats; **raw anchovies carry the same parasite and bacterial risks for cats**, and fish is a common allergen, so start tiny.

Intense thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, tremors and an unsteady gait, sometimes seizures; allergy brings facial and eyelid swelling, itching and hives.

**Contact a vet immediately** after salted, oil-packed or canned anchovies, or for intense thirst, vomiting, tremors or an unsteady gait, and never induce vomiting at home or force water.

**Never give cats salted or oil-packed anchovies**; if used at all, pick an unsalted version, cook it through, debone it and offer a very small piece; fish cannot be the only food long term, and complete cat food stays the main diet.

**Nearly all anchovies sold are salted, oil-packed or canned and are far too salty for pets**; **raw anchovies carry parasites and bacteria** and must be cooked through, and fish is a common allergen.

Salt overload shows as intense thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, tremors and an unsteady gait, sometimes seizures; allergy brings facial swelling, itching and hives, and leftover bones cause retching.

**Contact a vet immediately** after salted, oil-packed or canned anchovies, or for intense thirst, vomiting, tremors or an unsteady gait; never induce vomiting at home and never force water.

If used at all, **cook an unsalted version through and debone it carefully**, then feed only a tiny amount; **never feed salted, oil-packed or anchovy-paste products**; keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake and never make fish the only food.