Many human foods that we feed our cats are safe for them, but some things they shouldn’t eat.
Maintaining your cat’s safety and health is paramount. Learn what foods to avoid feeding your furry friend so that both of you can stay safe and healthy together.
Contents
1. Raw Meat
Meat is an excellent source of protein, essential vitamins and minerals for cats. These essential nutrients help your cat remain healthy and strong, improve their vision, support their heart and immune system function optimally.
Raw meat can be contaminated with pathogens such as Salmonella, which can lead to gastrointestinal illness in pets and humans alike.
2. Onions
Onions are a staple ingredient in many dishes, but they can be hazardous for cats. Their contents contain disulphates and thiosulphates which are toxic to cat’s red blood cells.
Avoiding onions should always be kept out of reach to prevent hemolytic anemia, a potentially life-threatening illness. So it’s essential to keep onions away from children.
3. Garlic
Garlic, onions and chives are members of the allium family of plants which can cause serious health issues for cats. The toxins they release damage red blood cells which in turn causes anemia.
Therefore, garlic should never be given to your cat unless prescribed by a veterinarian. As symptoms can take days to manifest after ingestion, if you suspect your cat has eaten garlic, seek medical help immediately.
4. Raw Eggs
Raw eggs are not recommended for cats as they can contain bacteria that could lead to food poisoning. Furthermore, eating raw egg whites may result in a biotin deficiency in cats.
Egg white proteins, called avidin, in egg whites can inhibit your feline friend’s ability to absorb vitamin B7 or biotin. Cooking the egg whites reduces this enzyme and makes them safe for consumption.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms make for a tasty snack for cats, but they should always be avoided at all costs. Some types of mushrooms are toxic and can lead to serious illness in pets.
However, most store-bought mushrooms are safe for your cat to eat in moderation if eaten in moderation. Examples include button, portobello and shiitake mushrooms.
6. Nuts
Nuts can cause gastrointestinal issues for your cat and are also high in fat, so if they eat too many, it could lead to pancreatitis.
Hickory nuts should also be avoided, as they often harbor fungi that produce toxic mycotoxins. Moldy walnuts are especially hazardous, as they have the potential to cause seizures and neurological symptoms.
7. Canned Meat
Canning meat may offer convenience, but some people find it less nutritious than frozen food or high in sodium content.
Canned meat products are prepared by hermetically sealing them inside a can and thermal processing them to kill spoilage microorganisms. Depending on the type of can, this heat treatment process may either sterilize or pasteurize the product.
8. Chocolate
Chocolate is a delectable treat enjoyed by many of us, but unfortunately for cats. It contains two toxic ingredients – caffeine and theobromine – which can lead to various symptoms in your furry friend.
These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, restlessness, tremors and an irregular heart rhythm. If not addressed promptly, these signs may progress into seizures, liver failure and eventually death.
9. Alcohol
When hosting a holiday dinner for your furry friends, be sure to keep alcohol and other potentially hazardous foods away from them. Even small amounts of booze can cause serious harm to cats, so make sure all drinks are secured up and out of reach.
Alcohol can cross the blood-brain barrier and attach itself to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, leading to drowsiness or intoxication for cats. They may have difficulty urinating, become disoriented, and/or lose their balance.
10. Caffeine
Caffeine in coffee, tea and colas is toxic to cats and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and muscle tremors.
Caffeine can be lethal for cats in large doses and is also found in over-the-counter drugs like painkillers and cold medicines.
