Catfish

Yes. The FDA lists catfish among the fish lowest in mercury.

Catfish is a freshwater fish used as a named protein in a small number of cat foods. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that raw freshwater fish contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1), and that cooking destroys the enzyme. The catfish in dry cat food is cooked during processing. For a cat with a medical condition or a history of food allergy, talk with your veterinarian about whether catfish fits its diet.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Catfish adds animal protein from a named fish. Cats are obligate carnivores, and Cornell Feline Health Center says they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Catfish is less common in cat food than salmon or whitefish, so it gives some recipes a protein that many cats have not eaten before. The label names the fish, so the source is clear.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Raw catfish is a different matter from the cooked catfish in cat food. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that raw freshwater fish contains thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine and can lead to a deficiency if fed often. Cooking destroys thiaminase, and Merck notes that canned cat foods with fish are heated enough to do this. Ask your veterinarian before adding raw fish to a cat's meals.

Source: merckvetmanual.com

Catfish can be a novel protein for a cat that has never eaten it, but that depends on the cat's history, not the fish. Cornell Feline Health Center explains that a food trial for allergies uses a protein the cat has not been exposed to before. Because catfish shows up in few cat foods, many cats have not eaten it. Your veterinarian can tell you if it suits an elimination trial.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Pettings gives catfish 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It is on the label of 1 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The ingredient score looks at catfish alone, while each food's page shows how the full recipe scores overall once every other ingredient is counted.