We all know that your cat should be fed regularly. It’s important to keep on a feeding schedule so they don’t lose weight. If you’re forgetful then you might want to buy an automatic feeder for them that will make sure your cat is always fed. ReviewLoft have made a guide to help you find the best one for you so you can check out their guide here. But for cats, it’s not just when they eat that’s important. When it comes to your cat, you want to make sure he has the best kind of cat food for his nutritional needs. There is cat food out there similar to KittyWire that might give your cat the dietary nutrition he needs. From time to time, you may be tempted to give him table scraps and special treats, but keep in mind that certain foods can be poisonous to him. Cats can get ill quite easily, you might be surprised to learn that cats can get colds too!
Here’s a look at some of the most toxic foods for cats.
1 – Caffeine – Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. And there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and fits. In addition to tea and coffee, caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in some cold medicines and painkillers.
2- Chocolate – Chocolate can be lethal for cats. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. It’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
3- Alcohol – Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol – none of it is good for your cat. That’s because alcohol has the same effect on a cat’s liver and brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just two teaspoons of whiskey can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it. The higher the proof, the worse the symptoms.
4- Yeast dough – Before it’s baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that’s exactly what it would do in your cat’s stomach if your cat ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the abdomen and cause severe pain. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.
5- Milk and dairy products – Most cats are lactose-intolerant. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea.
6- Raw Eggs – There are two problems with giving your cat raw eggs. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. The second is that a protein in raw egg whites, called avidin, could interfere with the absorption of the B vitamin biotin. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your cat’s coat.
7- Raw meat & fish – Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning. In addition, an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. A lack of thiamine can cause serious neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma.
8- Avocado – avocado contains persin, which is very toxic to animals, including cats. The entire avocado tree is toxic, so never let your cat play with the shell or pit.
9- Grapes & Raisins – grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. And, a small amount can make a cat ill. Although some cats show no ill effects, it’s best not to give your cat any grapes and to keep grapes and raisins off countertops and other places accessible to your cat.
10- Onions – Onions contain a substance called thiosulphate that damages red blood cells and can cause anemia in cats leading them to be out of breath, lethargic, or even unable to efficiently process oxygen.
11- Garlic – Same as Onions, Garlic also contain thiosulphate
12- Dog food – An occasional bite of dog food won’t hurt your cat. But dog food is not a substitute for cat food. They do have many of the same ingredients, but cat food is specially formulated for a cat’s needs, which include more protein as well as certain vitamins and fatty acids. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished.
Here are a few easy tips for preventing your cat from eating dangerous and toxic foods:
- Store foods out of your cat’s reach. (Installing cat-proof locks on cabinets may be necessary for a curious kitty.)
- Do not let your cat on the counter while you’re cooking or eating.
- Do not feed him table scraps.
It is especially important to be more mindful during the holidays. There is likely more enticing people food around, much of which can upset your cat’s tummy or even harm him.
***If you notice or suspect that your cat has eaten one of these foods, take him to your veterinarian immediately.***
While some of these foods may only cause your cat slight discomfort, others can be far more hazardous to their health. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian for guidance.
I always find it interesting but baffling that movies, TV shows, and the like, are always giving “Kitty” a saucer of milk (sometimes cream). I knew about the milk, the others were interesting (as some also are bad for a dog). Luckily my +12 cat is very finicky, and only eats cat food, my +12 dog, though is another matter. Thank You for your comments. Much appreciated 🙂
interesting read. My cat loves milk. she sits/meows and watches me eat my cereal or yogurt. she has drank milk and doesn’t seem to bother her.
very informative! More cat owners need to read this!
This is great information to knoe about.Some of these foods can really cause some harm to our cats and some can be fatal.Thanks so much for the post.
Thanks for the info,i never knew cats could not eat raw fish !!