Cat lovers will know that there is nothing their feline friend likes more than a tidbit of food from their owner’s plate; it’s one of their little quirks that makes us love them even more. However, did you know that some ‘human’ food is actually potentially extremely dangerous for cats? Some foods can have some nasty side effects which can cause problems, whereas others can be deadly! If you want to keep your kitty safe then read on about the most dangerous foods for cats.
Milk or Cream
There is a common misconception that giving your cat cream or milk is the best treat they can have; after all, don’t we see it in all of the cartoons and story books? According to fairy tales, putting down a saucer of milk is one way to keep your kitty happy. The reality, however, is that adult cats are lactose intolerant. This means that their stomachs cannot break down the lactose in certain dairy products, including milk, cream, and even cheese. When this happens it can cause all manner of health problems, including diarrhea or sickness. If your cat is suffering with sickness or diarrhea then it could cause them to become dehydrated very quickly. After all, a cat doesn’t know it has to drink more to make up for lost fluids. They also can’t take Imodium! Try to avoid giving your cat any diary products at all, unless you want to fork out for a hefty vet bill. There are certain products on the market that are suitable for cats, as they are lactose free. Look out in the shops for certain ‘cat milk’ that your kitty can enjoy without any nasty side effects that could entail a trip to the vets.
Fat Trimmings
Here is another food that many people assume cats enjoy, but can actually cause more trouble than it is worth. Fat trimmings, or in fact any fatty food, can be extremely harmful for your cat, especially in large quantities. If you’re used to feeding your feline friend the bits of fat left over from your plate, or some of your fast food meal, then you could be facing a trip to the vets at some point soon. This is another food that can cause sickness and diarrhea, which can then cause your cat to become dehydrated. As mentioned earlier, a cat will not know how to look after itself when sick, so it is not going to drink more water to make up for the fluids lost. Many vets are in two minds about feeding cats the same meat we eat ourselves; some say it will ruin their digestive system, and others say that cats are carnivores and are therefore supposed to eat it. If you’re unsure then it is best to take a trip to the vets and talk to a nutritional expert about your food choices. They will be able to tell you if all meat is a no-go or if the occasional piece from your plate is okay.
Bones
Before you shout. “But cats grew up in the wild and ate bones then”. let us explain a few things about why eating bones is bad for cats now. Firstly, most cats will have eaten some form of bone in their lifetime; whether it has been off of your plate or in the form of some poor unfortunate creature they have caught and killed. Although catching and eating a mouse, bird, squirrel or other small creature may not cause problems for a cat when it comes to bones, the ones off of your plate will. When meat is cooked, the bones can fragment due to the heat. When this happens, they can easily splinter in your cat’s stomach and cause bowel obstructions or internal lacerations. If you don’t believe us, then you can ask your vet; thousands of kitties a year are taken into their vets for this reason. Ideally, your cat shouldn’t really eat any bones if it can be helped, but there’s no stopping them from catching and eating their favorite small creature. If you do notice any problems such as blood in the litter tray or a loss of appetite, after kitty has crunched their way through some bones, then make sure you see a vet immediately.
Raisins
Although it is very unlikely you are going to be feeding your cat a bowl full of raisins, this is a food you should watch out for. Especially if your feline friend likes helping themselves to whatever is in the cupboard. Raisins are extremely poisonous and can be deadly for cats, if they get hold of them. Even a small handful of raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in your cat, so be wary if you leave any fruit cake or other sweet treats lying around. The same can also come from grapes, although this is thought to be less severe in cats than dogs. If your cat does accidentally get hold of any raisins or grapes then try to keep them under supervision for at least 24 hours. Any signs of toxicity mean you should get to the vets right away; head to the 24 hour emergency vets if the signs happen at night. Things to look out for include lack of appetite, diarrhea, decreased urination, lethargy and not being their usual playful self, weakness and abdominal pain. Of course, they could just be in a bad mood because they didn’t like the taste of what promised to be a sweet treat, but it is always better to be on the safe side.
Avocado
This is another food you’re highly unlikely going to be feeding your cat, unless he or she has a penchant for salads or guacamole. However, keep your eyes peeled if you have avocados lying around as your cat may just take their chances. Even the skin or the pip can be toxic to cats, to make sure you dispose of any evidence that an avocado has been around! This delicious green fruit (yes it is a fruit, we checked) contains persin which is actually poisonous for quite a lot of animals. When an avocado is eaten it can cause a whole host of health problems ranging from the mild tummy troubles all the way through to death. It all depends how much of the green stuff your kitty has eaten, so try to build up a clear picture of what has happened in your head; that way, you can give the vet all of the information they need, if the worst comes to the worst. Large amounts of avocado can cause fluid build up around the heart, respiratory problems, or gastrointestinal issues. Keep an eye out for any signs of toxicity, including the ones we mentioned earlier, to see if your cat has ingested too much avocado.
Onions
Although you may never purposefully give your cat onions, there are plenty of ways they can get their paws on this dangerous food. For example, if they have the leftovers from your meal which was full of onions. There is also a whole range of different foods that contain onion powder, which is yet again dangerous for your cats. Look at the ingredients on certain packaged meals, TV dinners, and even baby food, that your cat may have helped themselves too. If you do want to feed your pet any kind of packaged food then it is imperative you check there is no onion powder or onions in sight. Onions contain high levels of disulfides and sulfoxides which can destroy the red blood cells in cats. When this happens it can lead to all manner of health problems, which includes anemia and other serious blood related issues. It can be difficult to treat blood related health problems in cats, without spending a lot of money at the vets! With this in mind, make sure your kitty stays away from all forms of onion as well as possible, including the powdered variety. If in doubt, head straight to the vets.
garlic
Part of the onion family, garlic is another ‘human food’ that your cat should steer well clear of. It is actually considered to be far more dangerous than onions, because the toxic properties in garlic are more concentrated. Many foods have garlic powder or garlic salts hidden within, so this is another opportunity for you to check ingredients labels and make sure the food they eat is okay. If your cat steals food off of your plate then make sure they haven’t ingested any garlic, as this can cause a whole load of blood health problems. Of course, anything you cook is much more likely to have less garlic than onion (unless you’re trying to ward off vampires) so the risks of these two meal additions are around about the same. If you notice anything peculiar behavior from your cat after eating onion or garlic then it is best to get them to the vets in order to make sure they’re okay. A vet can perform a blood test to see if there are any abnormalities in their system, that could have been caused from ingesting garlic. Anemia is a difficult health issue to treat in cats, so make sure you get your feline friend seen to as soon as you notice anything strange.
alcohol
Of course alcohol is going to be poisonous for pretty much any animal that touches it, including humans! Too much alcohol can have some seriously negative side effects for people, including alcohol poisoning, so you can imagine what it may do to a smaller animal (such as your cat). Not very many people are likely to give their cat alcohol, but it can happen by accident. If there is a party in your home, for example, and your cat laps up the spilled wine on the floor. The smallest amount of alcohol can cause your cat to become intoxicated, which can then cause it to exhibit similar symptoms to humans that are drunk; stumbling around, being hungry, getting dehydrated and so on. Too much alcohol and your cat may be in for a rather unpleasant trip to the vets, which may include them pumping his or her stomach, or forcing them to be sick. If you don’t want to put your cat through the hell of alcohol poisoning then make sure you keep all wine, beer, and spirits away from your party animal kitty. If they do get hold of any alcohol then make sure you monitor them closely for any signs of intoxication and/or alcohol poisoning.
Caffeine
If your cat likes dipping their head into your mug of tea or coffee (mine does) and you let them drink all of your caffeine, then you could soon face a rather ill feline friend. All food and drink that contains caffeine can be rather dangerous for your kitty, so make sure they avoid anything that may contain traces; including fizzy drinks, tea, coffee and the worst, chocolate. In fact, chocolate is potentially deadly if your cat eats it, as it contains theobromine as well. Many people know that dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate, but don’t realize the same applies to cats. Food and drinks that contain caffeine can stimulate the heart and nervous system, causing all manner of health problems in the short and long term. It can also cause dehydration which we already know can lead to a very poorly kitty, especially if they don’t top up their lost fluids with plenty of fresh water. If your cat has helped themselves to any food or drink that contains caffeine, first try to work out how much they have had before calling the vet for advice. The smaller your cat is, the smaller the amount of caffeine needed to make them feel very unwell.
Raw Egg
No one should really be eating raw eggs, unless you’re Gaston from Beauty and The Beast. Of course, plenty of bodybuilders and the suchlike swear by raw eggs, but they do have to find a particular kind if they want to remain healthy. There are high levels of bacteria in raw eggs, which can cause E.coli or salmonella; both of which can be deadly for humans, as well as your cat. The only people who do swear by raw eggs will be able to locate varieties that are bacteria free (or say they’re bacteria free). Your cat can become extremely poorly if they get hold of raw eggs so keep an eye on any food you’re preparing in the kitchen. If you’re covering chicken breasts in raw egg, in order to be bread-crumbed, for example. Raw egg whites also contain avidin which can stop Vitamin B absorption, something that is very important for both humans and cats. Basically, just avoid raw eggs at all costs and you, and your kitty, will be fine. If your cat has got hold of any raw egg somehow then get on the phone to your vets right away.