As a cat parent, feeding your pet the most nutritious food should always be the top priority. We are often tempted to share our food with them or toss some of our table scraps every now and then. While this may cheer them up momentarily and make you feel less guilty about saying no to your cute feline friend, it can harm its health in the long run. Remembering what foods are toxic for cats can help steer clear of any unnecessary health episodes. Let’s take a look at foods poisonous to cats and what should cats not eat.

What foods are harmful to cats?

Just like us, cats too need water and protein to stay healthy but that’s all the similarities we share. Certain foods consumed by humans can spark digestive issues, anemia, and vitamin deficiencies. Foods that are poisonous to cats can also result in fatal consequences. Let’s take a look at some dangerous foods for cats: 

  • Milk and dairy products

    Orange and white tabby cat crouched beside a glass bottle of milk and a small bowl of cream.

    You may be wondering about milk and milk products, specifically, “Is cheese dangerous for cats?” As cats mature, they become lactose intolerant. As a result, milk and dairy products are dangerous foods for cats that can lead to stomach aches and other gastrointestinal conditions such as diarrhea. So, if your cat had a habit of enjoying milk as a kitten, it is best to gradually stop giving it milk to avoid any discomfort.

  • Chocolates

    Black cat lying on a bed while staring at a chocolate bar.

    Sweet treats and chocolate are dangerous for cats; hence, these must be kept in a cabinet or at a safe distance from your fur baby. Cacao seeds contain methylxanthines, a naturally occurring compound found in most plants. And this can cause weakness, diarrhea, breathing problems, fever, and much more. But if you want to treat your cat, why not choose the healthy way of doing so? At TEMPTATIONS™, we offer a range of nutritious treats for cats that can satiate your feline friend’s taste buds.

  • Onion and garlic

    Orange tabby cat sniffing a white bowl beside a whole garlic bulb and garlic cloves.

    You may be wondering are onions dangerous for cats? Well, the answer is, yes! Onions possess the ability to break down a cat’s red blood cells, causing weakness, breathing problems, anemia, and more. But is garlic dangerous for cats? Yes, garlic is 5x more potent than an onion. So, make sure you keep your cat away from these ingredients.

  • Raw eggs, meat, fish and bones

    Silver tabby cat next to a pile of eggs with an orange cat in the background.

    Raw or undercooked eggs, fish, and any other meat can cause severe health problems for cats. Raw and undercooked meat contain different bacteria, such as E.Coli and Salmonella, that are harmful to both cats and humans. Raw eggs can lead to skin problems, and raw fish can destroy thiamine (an essential B vitamin), causing neurological issues like convulsion and coma. Bones fed to your cat can also cause serious harm to its digestive system.

  • Caffeinated drinks

    Gray tabby cat standing beside a small cup of coffee.

    Caffeinated drinks contain substances like methylxanthines, which can cause health conditions like panting, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, and more in cats. Drinks with caffeine content are considered to be highly dangerous for cats and shouldn’t be given to them.

  • Alcohol

    Brown tabby cat sitting on the floor beside a clear glass bottle filled with amber liquid.

    Any food item with alcohol as an ingredient is a food toxic to cats. Wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages can cause diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, breathing problems, and seizures in cats. These foods can also result in death. If you suspect that your cat has consumed anything with alcohol in it, seek medical assistance immediately.

  • Raisins and grapes

    Brown tabby cat closely inspecting a white bowl filled with raisins scattered across a wooden table.

    Grapes and raisins are dangerous for cats as they contain an unknown toxic substance that can cause kidney failure in cats.

  • Citrus fruits

    Brown tabby cat standing near a row of citrus fruits.

    Citrus fruits contain essential oils and citric acid that can cause irritation and even central nervous system depression in some cases if ingested in high amounts regularly. If your cat ends up eating a little piece by mistake, that’s completely okay. However, your pet may experience some stomach ache.

  • Raw potatoes and tomatoes

    Orange cat lying beside a stainless steel bowl filled with two potatoes and one tomato.

    While potatoes and tomatoes have no toxic effects when cooked, eating these ingredients raw can result in gastrointestinal distress. Cat parents must note that green potatoes, cooked or raw, can cause serious cardiac issues, hallucinations, and paralysis.

  • Liver

    Orange and white cat staring cautiously at a plate with a piece of raw meat

    Feeding your cat too much liver or giving it treats with a high liver content for a long period of time can result in vitamin A toxicity. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat’s bones and can also lead to death in severe cases.

  • Raw or yeast dough

    Brown and white tabby cat curiously sniffing a ball of raw dough on a wooden kitchen counter.

    Yeast dough can rise in your cat’s stomach and lead to severe bloating and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s system. In a situation like this, your cat’s stomach can twist, resulting in a life-threatening episode.

  • Dog food

    Light gray tabby cat eating from a stainless steel bowl filled with dry cat food.

    Dog food and cat food mostly contain same ingredients and a bite or two of dog food will not harm your cat. However, dog food should not be used as a substitute for cat food since both types of food are formulated according to their specific nutritional needs.

Now that you know what foods are harmful to cats, make sure that your cat is always kept away from these human foods that are toxic to cats. Always consult your veterinarian when it comes to making the right nutrition available to your cat. 

How to prevent cats from consuming toxic food?

The answer is simple, you must keep your food at a safe distance from your cat. Store it in drawers, shelves, and any other places where your cat cannot reach. If your cat has a liking towards a specific human food that is not life-threatening, you may give it to your cat once or twice, but only as a treat. However, it is best to not inculcate these habits because certain human foods are toxic to cats. 

This long list of foods poisonous to cats should always be kept handy so you know what cats should not eat. If you or someone you know has recently decided to raise a cat, refer to this list of foods cats can’t eat and keep educating yourself on how your cat can derive the best nutrition and avoid the worst medical episodes.