Trout

Yes. Trout is a good alternative for cats that need a protein other than chicken and beef.

Trout is a freshwater fish used in cat food as a named animal protein with omega-3 fats. FDA and EPA mercury advice written for people puts freshwater trout on its Best Choices list, the lowest mercury group. Fish is still a common food allergen in cats. If your cat has a food allergy or another medical condition, ask your veterinarian before changing foods.

Source: fda.gov

Trout gives cat food a named fish protein and some omega-3 fats. It is often used as an option for cats that cannot eat chicken or beef. Most trout in pet food is farmed, and it has a milder taste than salmon. It appears in only a few dry foods.

Raw fish can carry bacteria and parasites. An FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine study found raw pet foods were more likely than other types to test positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Trout in commercial cat food is cooked. Ask your veterinarian before you feed raw fish of any kind.

Source: fda.gov

Trout is the fish with its water, while trout meal has been cooked, dried and ground. AAFCO explains that rendering takes out most of the water and fat, leaving a concentrated protein. Because ingredient lists are ordered by weight, fresh trout can rank high on a label even though much of its weight is water that cooks off.

Source: aafco.org

Pettings gives trout 5 out of 5 and lists it as a named animal protein. It appears on 3 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. It earns the top score as a named fish protein. Each food's page shows how the whole recipe scores overall.