Cat owners often share a familiar experience: bathing your cat feels like preparing for an intense battle. Not only does your cat scream like it’s being tortured, but you end up soaked too, and sometimes even scratched. Yet, the moment you quietly open a bag of fish treats, your cat is suddenly all sweetness and charm, eager to snatch away the tasty morsels. This leaves you wondering – if cats are so terrified of water, how could they possibly love fish? And how do they even catch fish in the wild? What a curious, contradictory creature!
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The Egyptians Who Took the Blame
Cat ownership is on the rise, with more than 20 million people owning cats in China according to 2021 statistics. Many of my colleagues in the editorial department are cat owners. Do you have a cat? Probably not, yet you’re still reading with great interest! If we talk about the origin of cat lovers, the Egyptians would be at the top of the list. They not only mummified cats but even worshiped them as gods. And as for why cats like fish, there’s a version of the story that ties back to the Egyptians. As we know, Ancient Egyptian civilization flourished along the Nile River, and agriculture was one of their main activities. Over time, Egyptians noticed that mice were eating their precious food supplies, and they grew to despise them. However, they knew that wild cats living nearby were the mice’s natural enemies. So, the clever Egyptians figured that if they teamed up with these cats, they could protect their food. To attract them, the Egyptians used fish from the Nile as bait, gradually bringing the wild cats into their homes and domesticated them over 3,000 years ago, turning them into the companions we call “pets” today.
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Fish Wasn’t on the Menu of Ancient Cats
If we look at wild cats, only species like the fishing cat and flat-headed cat are known to hunt fish, with the occasional record of leopards and jaguars eating fish. However, science today tells us that the ancestor of domestic cats was the African wildcat, which was domesticated by humans in the Middle East about 10,000 years ago. African wildcats lived in deserts, and their main diet consisted of various rodents, including mice, and birds. Fish was not on their menu. So, why have domestic cats developed a fondness for fish? There are two main reasons: First, cats are opportunistic hunters, and they’ll eat any meat they can get. Cats have 35 to 80 million scent receptors in their noses, compared to only 5 million in humans, making their sense of smell far more acute. The strong scent of fish signals fresh meat to them, which is irresistible. The African wildcat ancestors didn’t eat fish simply because it wasn’t available to them. Secondly, while fish wasn’t part of their usual diet, hunting in the wild requires a lot of energy. Living with humans, cats get the luxury of occasional handouts, including high-protein foods like fish, which is rich in fatty acids and amino acids. Why not save energy by eating fish and stay in the comfort of home? So, it’s not that cats love fish, but that it offers them certain benefits.
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Just Fishing for Fun
The love-hate relationship between cats and fish has been well documented online. I’ve seen a video of a cat catching koi fish in a pond. The first time I saw it, I was actually quite surprised by how skilled they were at hunting! But on closer inspection, it doesn’t seem so surprising after all. Unlike dogs, cats are solitary hunters who prefer ambushing their prey. They lie in wait by the water, and once a fish surfaces, they strike quickly. Cats’ forelimb joints are highly flexible, and their muscles are well-developed. Their retractable claws extend sharply when hunting, allowing them to grasp their prey tightly. Additionally, their molars and premolars are exceptionally sharp, making it difficult for even a slippery fish to escape once caught. In fact, it’s not just fish – stray cats are like little predators, enemies to small mammals, birds, and many other animals. So, once you decide to adopt a cat, don’t let it roam outside – keep it indoors, where it’s safe.
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What Do Cats Actually Like to Eat?
Finally, let’s talk about what cats truly enjoy eating – do they prefer fish or mice? There’s no evidence to suggest that cats have a particular preference for fish or any other meat. To them, both are tasty treats. However, we should note that raw fish is not recommended for cats. It could contain parasites, and cats are not skilled at removing fish bones, which might get stuck in their throats. If you notice your cat repeatedly pawing at its mouth, it might have a bone stuck, and you should take it to the vet immediately. As for cooked fish, like boiled or braised fish, it’s also best to avoid feeding it to your cat regularly. The high salt content in these dishes can be harmful to their kidneys and urinary system if eaten often.
In reality, the best way to ensure your cat grows up healthy is by feeding them high-quality commercial cat food. Modern cat food often includes a variety of ingredients like fish, beef, pork, and chicken, which are perfectly balanced to support your pet’s growth and development. By now, you might be reaching for your wallet, right?
