Conference misery::feline

>    Is it ok to feed cats raw frozen fish thats been thawed? 
    
while your cats may love the idea, it may not settle too well with their
stomachs.  I would suggest you poach it lightly in some water or broth and
then let them have some.  Cats will gladly "give back" food that doesn't
settle well - generally on the most expensive comforter you have in the
house - so, I recommend caution.

    There was a news report just last night about high rates of
    bacteria, etc. in fish.  I'd cook stuff just to be safe.
    

    I would be very carefule of raw fish causing worms in their intestines.
    Cooking as previously stated is best.
    -Nancy

     Raw FRESH WATER fish is dangerous to animals & man...because
    freshwater fish are very prone to having some sort of parasite in them
    that can be a problem.
    
      However, FRESH, raw saltwater fish is not unsafe...that's what they
    make "sushi" with...
    
      JM

        The January issue of CATFANCY had an article in it about feeding
    raw fish to cats.  I will post it if I can remember to bring it in.
    
    Dandy and Missy's mom
    

    Hi All,
    
     I'm quite an avid deep sea fisherman (fisherperson?) and I have
    brought home cod, pollack, cusk and conga eels that I have actually
    been able to see worms moving about the raw flesh. Not just on the
    outside of the skin either!. I know that cooking the fish destroys
    these guys, but I wouldn't feel right giving it to my kitties raw.
    These may be harmless, but....
    
    Y

    These parasites/worms ARE NOT harmless.  My co-worker's son-in-law
    almost died from eating contaminated sushi.  Whether you or your cats
    eat it - cook it first!
    
    T
    

    JM, I hate to break your bubble but, eating raw fish is NOT
    okay.  It is very dangerous.  Bacteria in fish is very previlant
    as it is not inspected by any agency for it's eatableness,
    either raw or cooked.
    
    There was a progam on one of the BPS channel over the holidays
    and they showed fish markets here and in the orient where raw
    fish is eaten daily and in quite a few forms.  Then they went
    on to give figures on how many people got sick from eating raw
    fish in Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghi and several Malisian country's
    and it was astonishing.  Because it is so ingrained in their 
    culture it is hard to convenience them to give it up. After seeing
    that program I have not eaten a raw oyster, clam or Sushi.
    
    One more thing, the cat books I have read along with words of wisdom
    from my vet, make sure all food is cooked well, that goes into your
    pets mouth.
    
    Barbara

    Gak.  Being a vegetarian has some benefits....
    

      it's true that the fish products are not inspected......not even at
    the stores are they examined very closely.   I remember last winter
    my hubby and I were shopping at our usual grocery store and took a look
    at the fish.   Well, he spotted a squiggly worm in the flesh of one of
    the fillets.  He pointed it out to me.  I was concerned and figured we
    better bring it to the attention of the store personnel.  He brought it
    to the manager in the meat dept.,  and then we watched from another
    aisle.  All he did was put it back on the fish display!!!!!!!!!!!
    We have not purchased "fresh" fish from that store since.  And now with
    all the scares about the fish contaminants.  Especially Boston fish.
    They are dredging the harbor and stirring up all those PCB's and heavy
    contaminants.      Bleck!!!!!
    
    

    Answers to some questions I asked my boyfriend when he was trying to
    get me to eat sushi (he's from Hawaii, where sashimi is party food and
    the next best thing to being able to finish off a six-pack is being
    able to eat raw sea cucumber):   (paraphrased)
    
    Me:  What about worms?
    Him: Many are very obvious and more likely to occur in certain parts 
    	of the fish.  Certain fish are never used and certain parts of any
    	fish are never used. (My note: cod, cusk, etc. are not sushi fish
    	in my experience.)  People who make sushi know how and where to look 
    	for them.
    
    Me:	 What about food poisoning?
    Him: Sushi is made only from very very fresh fish. Most restaurants 
    	receive more than one shipment a day to make sure it's fresh. (My
    	note: I have yet to go to a grocery store with this man and hear 
    	him say the fish looks fresh.  This is because in grocery stores
    	the fish is up to two weeks old.)
    
    Well, I tried sushi, I love it.  It's a calculated risk.  I would NEVER
    try to make it at home; I can't get fish that's less than 24 hours old. 
    And I don't really know how to inspect it.  So I wouldn't feed random
    raw fish to a cat.  One thing I have been trying to find out is how
    much (if at all) more hazardous sushi is than foods like eggnog,
    mayonnaise, or chicken made at home.  We all know we can get salmonella 
    from chicken and eggs, but many people still make eggnog or mayonnaise 
    at home or don't use sufficiently sanitary procedures when cooking chicken. 
    
    Re .7: who made the sushi this person got sick on?  I'm curious because
    I've never heard of this happening at restaurants, and if I need to
    change my mind I'd like to know.

    One false impression that people have about fish is if it smells fishy
    then it's fresh.  Grocery store fish smells like fish because it's old!
    If you ever go to the Bremers fish market on 101A in (where else?)
    Nashua, New Hampshire, you'll notice that it doesn't stink of fish when
    you walk in the door.  That is because the stuff is "right off the
    boat".  It may cost more, but hey, you get what you pay for.  
    I've been enjoying sushi for nearly ten years and have never ever
    encountered any problems.  I still wouldn't give raw fish to my cats
    though.

    My husband loves sushi, but when I tried some of his...
    
    I've heard that with sushi, you either love it or hate it.  Let's just
    say I'm thankful that the nearest restaurant that serves sushi also has
    a wonderful teriaki scallop plate!  ;^)
    
    K.C.

The February issue of Consumer Reports had a feature on fish, and spoke a lot
about freshness, among other things.  A very informative set of articles, which
I would highly recommend.

My cats appreciate cooked fish, and I will keep feeding them the leftovers, if
I ever decide to buy fish again :-)

Jill

    .14
    
    You beat me to it.  My husband and I just got through reading that
    article and by the time we finished reading it I felt like I never
    wanted to eat fish again.  We are fortunate that we have "fresh" fish
    availble in the Bay Area - either down the Wharf or in China Town. 
    
    Recently, when I've been pressed for time, I've purchased shrimp, etc.
    at a LEADING supermarket, gotten the stuff home, opened wrapping,
    sniffed it and had the cats sniff it. They turned their noses, which
    was a very good indication (3 out of 3) that something was wrong.  Back
    to the Supermarket.  It's simply misrepresentation of what is fresh,
    fresh frozen, frozen , etc.  Certain categories that should not be
    placed side by side because of certain bacteria, and they are.
    
    Please, read this ariticle - some of the things mentioned will open
    your eyes.  For your health and the health of your kitties - please
    read.   I will take the time and walk the extra blocks to purchase
    FRESH rather than given in to convenience.
    
    Giudi

    ...minor snit.
    
    In mentioning this note to a few friends they told me "sushi" is
    pickled fish and "sashimi" (sp?) is raw fish.  Not that it matters
    (as I probably wouldn't eat either ... I play is safe) just thought
    one of you might be able to clarify the discussion(s).
    

    Being an ardent sushi and sashimi lover, I must correct you.  Sushi is
    fish (usually raw) and/or vegetables on a special rice.  Sometimes
    seaweed is wrapped around the fish and rice, sometimes the slice of
    fish just lies on a small mound of that special sticky rice. Sashimi is
    slices of very fresh raw fish.
    
    Steffi

"sushi" more specifically gets its name from the vinegared rice that the 
raw-or-cooked-fish _or_ veggies gets nestled in.  So sushi is the name for 
the little dishes that include the rice and often seaweed wrap and 
usually fish and stuff.  It's a misconception with sushi and sushimi that 
it's all raw.  Anything from fresh water is cooked.

My then-future-husband introduced me to the stuff.  It really helps 
to go with someone who knows what the stuff is, and you can usually 
find something to like.  It can be addicting!  (Not too though -> $$)

Even Homer Simpson liked it!  ;-)
(And he really has "meatloaf" tastes!)

-Tanya