Keep These 15 Foods Away From Your Cats

As loving pet owners, we often want to share our foods with our feline friends. However, many human edibles can be harmful or poisonous to cats. To help you keep your furry companions safe and healthy, we’ve compiled a list of 15 foods you should not give your cats.

Chocolate

Both theobromine and caffeine in chocolates are methylxanthine compounds that can be toxic to cats. These compounds can cause rapid breathing, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, and seizures in cats. The severity of symptoms depends on the type and amount of chocolate ingested.

Onions and Garlic

These kitchen items contain compounds called thiosulfates, which can damage a cat’s red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. Symptoms of their toxicity in cats may include weakness, lethargy, pale gums, and orange to dark red urine.

Grapes and Raisins

Even in small amounts, grapes and raisins can provoke kidney failure in cats, although the exact toxic substance is not yet known. If cats consume them, they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased urination.

Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks can trigger intoxication in cats and lead to a lack of coordination, difficulty walking, disorientation, coma, and death. Alcohol is dangerous even when a tiny quantity is taken.

Caffeine

Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some sodas, can hurt your cat in more ways than one. It can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and seizures. Cats who have ingested caffeine may also experience an increase in blood pressure and body temperature.

Xylitol

A sugar substitute used in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods, xylitol can trigger a rapid release of insulin in felines, leading to hypoglycemia. When they have xylitol poisoning, they may experience vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination, and seizures.

Raw Dough

When consumed, raw dough can expand in your cat’s stomach, causing discomfort and bloating. The yeast in it can also ferment in the gut, producing alcohol, which can be poisonous for felines.

Bones

They can splinter and provoke choking, intestinal blockages, or puncture the intestines, leading to severe pain and potentially life-threatening complications for your cat. Cooked bones are more dangerous as they are more likely to splinter.

Raw Fish

The presence of flukes, tapeworms, roundworms, and other parasites in raw fish can bring about gastrointestinal issues in cats. Additionally, raw fish can cause thiamine deficiency, resulting in neurological problems.

Milk and Dairy Products

Many cats are lactose intolerant, lacking the enzyme lactase needed to digest lactose. Consuming dairy products can give rise to digestive issues such as diarrhea or stomach upset in lactose-intolerant cats.

Fat Trimmings

Feeding your cat fat trimmings from meat can lead to pancreatitis, which can trigger diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy. Additionally, fat trimmings can contribute to obesity in cats, which can induce a variety of health issues, including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.

Salt

Excessive intake of salt can bring about electrolyte imbalances in cats, potentially leading to vomiting, tremors, and even death in severe cases. It’s important to avoid feeding salty foods to cats.

Raw Eggs

Raw eggs can cause food poisoning in cats. Additionally, raw egg whites contain avidin, which occasionally interferes with the absorption of biotin and results in skin and coat problems.

Dog Food

Dog food is formulated specifically for dogs’ nutritional needs and may not provide the appropriate balance of nutrients for cats. Feeding cats with dog meal regularly can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health problems.

Human Medications

Many human medications, including pain relievers, antidepressants, and cold medications, can be toxic to cats. It’s essential to keep all medicines out of the reach of pets and to consult a veterinarian before giving your cat any medication.