Deboned Cod

Cod is a white ocean fish that cat foods use as a named protein, here with the bones removed. The FDA lists cod among its best choices for low mercury in its fish advice for people. Fish can also trigger a food allergy in some cats. For a cat with a medical condition or known allergy, ask your veterinarian.

Source: fda.gov

Cod adds lean, easily digested animal protein. Cornell Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores and rely on nutrients found only in animal products. Cod also carries trace minerals such as iodine and selenium. It is low in fat, so recipes that use it often add another fish or fat for calories and flavor.

Source: vet.cornell.edu

Deboned means the bones were removed before the fish or meat went into the food. Deboned cod is fresh cod flesh, which is mostly water. AAFCO requires ingredients to be listed from most to least by weight, so a fresh, wet ingredient like deboned cod can appear high on the list even though its share of the protein is smaller once the food is dried.

Source: aafco.org

No, cod is a low-mercury fish. The FDA places cod in its best choices group in its advice about eating fish, the group with the lowest mercury levels. That advice is written for people, but it shows that cod sits well below large predatory fish such as king mackerel. White fish in general tend to build up little mercury.

Source: fda.gov

Pettings gives deboned cod 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 4 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. The score is for the ingredient by itself. Each food's page shows how it scores overall once the other ingredients are included.