There are good food and then there are, of course, bad food for cats.
Below are the toxic food for cats from HomeoAnimal:
1. ONIONS AND GARLIC
Do not give cooked, raw, dehydrated or powdered onions and garlic to cats. These food contain sulfoxides and disulphides which can poison your cat and lead to anemia and gastrointestinal problems, among others.
2. RAW EGGS
Cats can get salmonella from eating raw eggs. The symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.
Raw eggs also contain an enzyme called avidin which can decrease the absorption of a B vitamin called biotin. This can lead to hair coat and skin problems.
3. ALCOHOL
Alcohol can cause intoxication, coma and death. A small amount can damage the cat’s liver and brain.
Alcohol is very toxic to cats because the body absorbs it fast.
4. YEAST DOUGH
A dough ingested by a cat will rise and expand inside his stomach. It cause him pain. It will make the stomach stretch which can rupture the stomach and intestines.
While the dough is inside your cat’s stomach and fermenting, the yeast will release alcohol. This is more dangerous to your cat.
5. RAW FISH
Raw fish can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats. It can also lead to poisoning because of the bacteria in raw fish.
Raw fish can also destroy the vitamin THIAMINE which is important to cats. Without thiamine, the cat can experience neurological problems and can also lead to loss of appetite, seizures and death.
6. GREEN TOMATOES OR POTATOES
These food contain the poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine.
“It is very toxic and it can lead to lower gastrointestinal problems. Some pet foods contain tomatoes, but they are in very small quantity and are ripe, so they don’t represent a problem,” HomeoAnimal says.
7. CHOCOLATE
Theobromine is a toxic substance in chocolates.
“Chocolate toxicity can lead to tremors, irregular heart rhythm, seizures and death. All types of chocolate are dangerous for your cat. Even white chocolate. But the worst type is baking chocolate. After that, dark chocolate. Then milk chocolate, and the less dangerous one is white chocolate, “ HomeoAnimal says.
8. MILK PRODUCTS
Kittens can be given milk but milk is not good for adult cats.
“Adult cats are lactose intolerant. They have a difficult time processing dairy products since they don’t have a sufficient amount of the lactase enzyme which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in an upset stomach and diarrhea. If you really want to give milk to your cat, you can buy at your local pet store lactose-free milk. This way, your kitty can have his milk without the downsides, “ HomeoAnimal says.
9. CAFFEINE
Caffeine is very dangerous for cats. Do not give coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and even cold medicines to your cat.
“A small dose of caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors and heart palpitations. A large amount of caffeine can be fatal and lead to death,” HomeoAnimal says.
10. XYLITOL
Xylitol increases a cat’s insulin levels which will lower the sugar level.
Worse, it can also lead to liver failure
Do not give gum, candy, toothpaste, diet foods and baked foods.
“The first signs of xylitol intoxication are vomiting, loss of coordination and lethargy. The symptoms can increase to a seizure and eventually resulting liver failure, “ HomeAnimal says.
Do read up on what is good and what is bad for cats so that you will know what human food are safe for your cat.
Please ask all the humans in your home not to leave toxic food on the dining table. Do ask them to also watch out for toxic food that may have fallen on the floor.
Please bring your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect any kind of poisoning. DC