Cats are carnivores, so their bodies are better suited to digesting animal protein than plant protein or carbohydrates. Although cats will sometimes eat plant matter when they can’t find prey, it’s best not to encourage them to do this since their digestive system can’t handle it well and can lead to severe health problems. Here are 10 foods you should never feed your cat.
1) Onions
Onions can cause Heinz body anemia in cats, which is a type of hemolytic anemia that damages red blood cells. Onions also can cause stomach ulcers and make it hard for cats to breathe. Cats are much more susceptible to the effects of onions than dogs or humans. Cats who eat onion powder may need medical attention within hours. Garlic: Garlic contains ingredients similar to those found in onions, such as sulfoxides and disulfides. It’s safe for people but not so much for our feline friends!
2) Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins are toxic to cats, causing kidney failure. There is no known antidote for the poison, so if you think your pet has eaten any of these items, take them to a vet immediately. The vet will most likely induce vomiting to try and rid the body of the grapes or raisins. If they make it, they have a high chance of recovery.
3) Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are poisonous to both humans and cats. The nut contains a toxin that can cause red blood cells to rupture, which leads to serious anemia. If you suspect that your cat has eaten some macadamia nuts, contact the animal poison control center at 800-426-4435 immediately.
4) Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that can be found in soda, tea, coffee and chocolate. Caffeine belongs to the drug family of methylxanthines. Methylxanthines act as a diuretic and cause an increase in urination. This may lead to dehydration and even kidney failure if consumed in high amounts. Caffeine also acts as a central nervous system stimulant which can lead to increased heart rate, anxiety and hyperactivity in cats.
5) Avocado
Avocado is a fruit that is dangerous for cats. Ingestion of this food can result in vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and pancreatitis. Avocado contains persin which causes the above mentioned symptoms in cats. Persin is a fungicidal toxin which is found in leaves, bark, and seed of the avocado plant. Cats are more sensitive to persin than dogs because they lack certain enzymes that break down persin before it can be absorbed into their bloodstreams.
6) Alcohol
Stay away from alcohol, it may look like something fun for the kitty to try, but alcohol is toxic to cats. Cats cannot break down ethanol as well as humans, so any amount consumed will make them very sick. They can experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and tremors. If a large amount was ingested they could go into a coma or die. If you suspect that your cat has consumed any alcohol be sure to call the vet right away!
7) Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most dangerous substances for cats, since it contains theobromine and caffeine. These substances are toxic to both dogs and cats, but can be fatal to felines. The dark chocolate is the most dangerous type of chocolate for cats because it has higher concentrations of these substances than milk or white chocolate. The effects will vary depending on the amount eaten and a cat’s size.
8) Milk and Dairy Products
Milk and dairy products are not recommended for cats due to the lactose content. Products that have lactose in them such as milk, cheese, and ice cream can cause diarrhea and vomiting in cats. Cats who consume too much lactose may develop a condition called Lactose Intolerance which is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea.
9) Salt
Salt is bad for cats because it can increase a cat’s risk of developing kidney disease. Cats are very sensitive to salt and just one teaspoon of table salt can be enough to cause serious health problems. Foods high in sodium like soup, canned vegetables, canned fish, ham or bacon also need to be avoided. Chocolate: Chocolate contains caffeine which affects the heart rate in pets with cardiac problems and will also make them excitable, so don’t give any type of chocolate to your kitty! Alcohol: Drinking alcohol makes humans dizzy but when animals drink alcohol they can become aggressive as well as uncoordinated. If a cat consumes too much alcohol they will go into toxic shock syndrome which causes their kidneys to shut down.
10) Fatty Foods
It may be tempting to give fatty foods to your cats, but it is a definite no-no. Fatty food can cause severe health problems for cats such as: pancreatitis and obesity. If you are thinking about giving a little bit of bacon or something, don’t do it! Cats can get very sick from consuming these types of food, so stay away from fatty foods if you want to keep your kitty happy and healthy.