Like every living being, your cat also wants to eat everything but we know that it might be harmful to her health. Being a responsible owner, it is your duty to look after your cat and make sure that she does not any such thing that is injurious to her health.
Here are 15 toxic foods for cats that should not be given to her in order to maintain her health.
Table of Contents
1. Chocolate and Caffeine
Chocolate and caffeine are harmful to cats as well as dogs. Chocolate contains Methylxanthines and Theobromine that are dangerous for them. Any food item containing chocolate or caffeine such as a dessert or a beverage must be avoided by the cats otherwise the consequences will be upsetting. If your cat has taken chocolate or caffeine then she may show some symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, muscle tremors, seizures, heart palpitations, etc. Moreover, dark chocolate is more harmful than white or milk chocolate.
2. Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic belong to the Amaryllidaceae Family of the plants. Although humans often take them as necessary elements of their dishes they are harmful to the cat because they damage the red blood cells of your cat subjecting her to a condition known as hemolytic anemia due to the presence of Thiosulphate in them. Do not give your cat any food item or dish that contains onions and garlic like garlic mayo sauce or onion sauce etc. If ingested, the symptoms may include tiredness, weakness, reduction in appetite, and change in the colour of her urine ( orange to dark red).
3. Milk/Dairy Products
Some cats do not contain an enzyme called lactase to digest the sugar present in milk and other dairy products which is ‘lactose’. Hence, some cats are intolerant to lactose and cannot digest dairy products at all resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. Some cats are used to have the milk of their mother only as kittens so it is hard for them to digest the lactose of any other milk that again results in lactose intolerance.
4. Tuna
Tuna is one of the toxic foods for cats that may prove as a poison if taken by your cat. If ingested in large amounts, it causes poisoning and ultimately death of the cat as it contains a harmful heavy metal ‘mercury’ in it. Moreover, it also contains an enzyme called Thiaminase which breaks down the Thiamin (Vitamin B) in the cat making her suffer from health issues.
5. Avocado
Avocado is taken by humans as a good source of food but it is mildly toxic to cats as it contains a substance known as Persin which causes vomiting and diarrhea in the cat. Hence, it is one of the toxic foods for cats.
6. Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are also toxic foods for cats. Even a small amount of it can lead to kidney failure of the cat. The sign and symptoms include vomiting within 12 hours of ingestion and lethargy, decreased urination, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc within 24 hours. Hyperactivity is an obvious symptom if your cat has eaten grapes and raisins. For more information read 13 Human Food Items Your Dog Must Avoid
7. Raw Dough and Alcohol
Alcohol is dangerous for humans as well as cats. It damages the liver, brain and affects major processes of the human body. Consequences may include vomit, tremors, diarrhea, shortness of breath, coma, and eventually death.
Similarly, the raw dough expands in the stomach and gets raised when eaten. It may also create alcohol in the stomach ending in the same condition as for alcohol. Even if taken in a small amount, you should consult your vet as soon as possible.
8. Xylitol
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in major food industries for sugar-free foods as a substitute for sugar. It is mostly present in chewing gums. Xylitol is one of the toxic foods for cats because it can severely lower the blood sugar level of the cat causing hypoglycemia. Symptoms are convulsions, liver failure, seizures, and death.
9. Raw Meat/Bones/Eggs
Raw meat or eggs are toxic foods for cats because they contain a bacteria called Salmonella E. Coli leading to food poisoning. Raw and rotten eggs have an enzyme that affects the skin/coat of the cat. Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin that affects the absorption of Vitamin B. Raw fish also contains an enzyme that lowers the level of thiamine (an essential Vitamin B) that causes neurological problems like coma, convulsions, etc. Symptoms seen in this condition are vomit and diarrhea.
10. Green Tomatoes and Potatoes
Tomatoes and potatoes belong to the family Solanaceae of the plants. Green tomatoes and potatoes are toxic foods for cats, the reason for this is because they contain a poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine. If eaten, your cat may show severe lower gastrointestinal symptoms.
11. Liver
One of the items in the list of toxic foods for cats is the Liver. If your cat is taking a small amount of liver then it is normal but if taken in a large amount, it causes toxicity of Vitamin A leading to hypervitaminosis, affecting bones and can prove fatal as well. Symptoms are the deformation of bones ( affecting the growth of the elbow and spine) and osteoporosis.
12. Dog Food
Dog Foods are toxic foods for cats because cats are in need of different nutrients than dogs. The cat diet has plenty of nutrients such as Vitamin A, arachidonic acid, Taurine, etc. If your cat gets the habit of eating dog food, she may die of a deficiency of essential nutrients. For example, the deficiency of Taurine causes heart, dental and vision disorders.
13. Yeast Dough
As for the raw dough, yeast also rises in the stomach of the cat and stretches the abdomen causing severe abdominal pain proving to be one of the toxic foods for cats. It also leads to the production of alcohol in the stomach that has its own adverse effects as mentioned above.
14. Eating Too Much
If your cat is eating everything in large amounts, it can make her obese leading to several health issues like diabetes, heart diseases, etc. just as in the case of human beings. So, you should keep a check on her eating habits to avoid any severe consequences.
15. Human Medicines
Human drugs are harmful to cats and play a role as toxic foods for cats. Drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen act as pain and cold relievers. They can prove deadly for the cats as they can cause poisoning in them. You should only give your cat the medicines that are prescribed by the Vet. In case of emergency, you can contact ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Center)
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Conclusion
Not every food item is beneficial but some may prove toxic foods for cats. If you are a cat owner, you must have information about all the toxic foods for cats that may harm their health and prove fatal. Alcohol, raw eggs, onions, avocados, etc. are the toxic foods for cats that must be kept away from them.