Foods Cats Should Never Eat
As a cat owner, it’s easy to get into the habit of giving your feline friend table scraps or trying to tempt them with tasty treats. But while cats are notorious for their love of food, there are some things that can be downright deadly for them. In this post, I’ll run through some common foods that cats should never eat.
Chocolate is one of the most well-known cat-toxins out there – and it’s a good thing too, because chocolate poisoning in cats is serious business. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your cat. This isn’t just about nibbling on a bit of leftover Easter egg; if your cat gets hold of a whole bar, you could be facing a vet trip – and potentially an expensive one.
Onions and garlic are another thing that cats should steer clear of. These belong to the same family as leeks and chives (and shallots), but they’re highly toxic to felines. The bad news is that if your cat eats even a small amount, it could cause damage to their red blood cells – which can be fatal.
Grapes and raisins are also something of a no-go for cats. We don’t entirely know why they’re so toxic (although some think it’s because of the way our feline friends metabolize them), but we do know that even small amounts can cause kidney failure in cats. It’s worth keeping an eye on your cat if you’ve been eating a lot of grapes or raisins recently.
Raw meat, eggs, and fish are another thing to be careful with when it comes to your cat’s diet. While they might love the taste of raw mince (and who can blame them?), the risk of bacterial contamination is high – especially from Salmonella and E. coli. Cooking these foods properly reduces the risk, but if you’re planning on giving your cat a raw meat diet, make sure you’ve done your research first.
Milk and dairy products are also something to watch out for. While many cats are lactose intolerant (i.e., they don’t have the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar), some owners like to give their felines cow’s milk as a treat. The problem is that even if your cat doesn’t get digestive issues, there can be other problems with dairy – especially from mouldy or spoiled products.
Caffeine is another thing that cats should avoid at all costs. This might seem obvious (after all, who needs caffeine when you have catnip?), but some owners don’t realize the risks of giving their felines a taste of coffee or tea. Like chocolate, it’s highly toxic and can cause a range of symptoms from vomiting to seizures.
Last but not least, there are some foods that your vet might advise against for reasons other than toxicity – even if they’re healthy options for humans. Salted meats, for instance, are often too rich for cats (not to mention their kidneys might not be able to cope). And while a little bit of fish is okay as an occasional treat, large amounts can cause problems with your cat’s phosphorus levels.
It’s worth remembering that every cat is different – and what works for one feline might not work for another. If you’re unsure about what foods are safe (or not) for your cat, it’s always a good idea to have a chat with your vet before trying new things. And if you do accidentally feed your cat something toxic, don’t panic; just get them to the vet as quickly as possible.
So there you have it – some common foods that cats should never eat. Remember: when in doubt, leave it out (for both you and your feline friend).
