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Maybe you're the kind of cat owner who thinks their furry friend deserves a special treat once in a while. Maybe it's their birthday, or the anniversary of the day you got them and you want to cook them something special to celebrate the big day. Fish tacos might seem like the ultimate cat treat, but can you safely feed Fluffy the same fiesta food you love to munch on?
Check out the article below to find out how to make fish tacos that are totally cat friendly. We’re breaking down everything you need to know to whip up a delicious fishy treat for your cat, including:
- Common taco ingredients -- are they safe for cats?
- Cat-friendly fish taco recipes anyone can make
- Some very cute cat pictures along the way
Are Taco Ingredients Safe for Cats?
Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Cat Tomatoes, Peppers, Cheese, and More
We all give our furry friends a bite of our dinner every once in a while, and while many human foods are safe for cats in small quantities, what happens when you give your cat their own hand-crafted meal? Here’s what you need to know about common taco ingredients and how they affect your cat’s health.
😺 Cats & Taco Meat 🍗🐠
Many of the meats you might find in the flaky shell of a delicious taco sound pretty cat friendly -- after all, don’t you scoop out some chicken, beef, or fish Fancy Feast for your cat every night anyway?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat taco meat, but you should skip the seasoning. Cats don’t typically eat spices or spicy foods, so adding them to your cat’s taco dish might upset their stomach.
😺 Cats & Tortillas 🌮
Making cat-friendly tacos wouldn’t get very far without tortillas, would it? You need something to wrap up the rest of your ingredients, after all. Luckily, unseasoned and unsalted flour tortillas won’t harm cats in moderation.
You’ll just want to make sure to check the package for any artificial sweeteners -- these can be toxic to pets.
😺 Cats & Lettuce 🥬, Tomatoes 🍅, Onions 🧅, and Peppers 🌶
Ah, your basic taco toppings. Veggies like these might be healthy for humans, but the same is not true for your kitten.
Tomatoes and onions both contain substances that can be harmful to cats, so if you’re making cat-friendly tacos it’s definitely best to skip the salsa.
Spicy peppers should also be avoided, but cats can safely eat small amounts of bell peppers and lettuce.
😺 Cats & Avocado 🥑
Fresh avocado is a great way to up your taco game, but what about tacos for your cat? Avocados aren’t toxic to cats, but they are fatty. It’s the good kind of fat, yes, but it’s still best to keep your cat’s portion of avocado on the smaller side.
😺 Cats & Cheese 🧀
You’ve seen cheese-flavored cat treats, but can cats eat cheese itself? For many cats, cheese is a perfectly safe treat for special occasions -- it’s packed with protein and fats. Some cats are lactose intolerant, so if you notice your cat avoiding dairy or having an adverse reaction to it, it might be best to avoid topping your tacos with cheese.
Savory Salmon Tacos Any Cat Will Love
A Quick, Easy Recipe for Cat-Friendly Mini Tacos
Now that we’ve covered what can and can’t go in your kitty cat’s tacos, let’s jump right in with a recipe for cat-friendly salmon tacos. To make this recipe, you’ll need to grab a frying pan, spatula, cutting board, knife, measuring spoon, and 2 inch round cookie or biscuit cutter.
This recipe makes 2 cat-friendly mini tacos, and you can expect to be serving up this fancy feast in just 20 minutes.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 8-inch whole wheat tortilla
- 1 Tuna and Salmon Puree cat treat
- 2 oz. wild-caught salmon fillet
- ¼ tsp. catnip
- ¼ tsp. shredded cheese
- Some extra virgin olive oil for cooking
Step 1: Prep Your Salmon
Dry your salmon fillet with a paper towel. Cut it into cubes. Don’t worry about making it small enough for your cat yet -- we’ll chop it up more after cooking.
You’ll want to leave your salmon out of the fridge for a few minutes before you start cooking -- it will cook most evenly if it’s about room temperature when it goes into the pan.
Step 2: Cook Your Salmon
Add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil to a frying pan and place it over medium heat. Once the oil has heated up, add your salmon and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Salmon that’s done will be flaky and can easily be broken up with a fork or spatula.
Step 3: Let Your Salmon Rest
Once cooked, give your salmon a few minutes to cool off. Then give it another chop -- your pieces should be small enough that your cat could munch on them comfortably. If they’re too big, they also won’t fit in your mini taco shells.
Step 4: Make Your Mini Tortillas
To make your mini tortillas, you’ll just want to cut two rounds out of your 8-inch whole wheat tortilla. Toss the scraps or try toasting them up into tortilla chips for yourself.
Step 5: It’s Taco Time!
With all of your ingredients prepped, it’s time to assemble your tacos! Start by spooning a small amount of tuna and salmon puree onto your mini tortillas. Add about a tsp. of cooked salmon to each. Top with catnip and parmesan, and let your cat enjoy!
There you have it! If you’re looking for a fun way to treat your cat for a birthday, a gotcha day, or just because, these cat-friendly fish tacos are sure to satisfy.
