12 Human Foods You Should Never Feed Your Cat

 
 
 

You adore your cat and love to treat her like the queen of the house. However, when it comes to food, it is best if you rule the roost and reward Kitty with cat treats designed to meet her nutritional needs. Though it can be tempting to share a table scrap here and there, many “people foods” can be poisonous to your feline friend. Here is a list of some human foods that are most toxic to cats. 1. Garlic and Onions - Cats are more susceptible to onion and garlic poisoning than dogs. Garlic and onions contain sulfoxides and disulfides. These can poison your cat by breaking down his red blood cells, causing anemia. So, while these spices may be a favorite when adding flavoring to human foods, keep them away from Mitten’s food dish. 2. Alcohol – Alcohol can give your cat low blood sugar and low body temperature. It can end in coma or seizures. Even a small amount of alcohol can damage your cat’s liver and brain. 3. Avocado – Dogs and cats can have adverse reactions to avocados. 4. Caffeine – Pets can react to caffeine with vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, restlessness, and increased heart rate. Caffeine is a toxic stimulant to cats and dogs. 5. Chocolate – Most pet owners recognize that chocolate is very toxic for their dogs. It is just as dangerous for cats. There is a poisonous substance in chocolate called theobromine. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it can be, because it has more caffeine and theobromine. 6. Grapes and Raisins – Both grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in dogs and some cats. Owners should keep these out of reach in every form, including raisin bagels or grape juice. 7. Green Tomatoes and Potatoes – Both potatoes and green tomatoes contain a poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine. This can cause gastrointestinal problems in cats. 8. Mushrooms – Not all mushrooms are toxic. However, some can cause gastrointestinal irritation, others can be hallucinogenic for a pet, and some can cause acute liver failure and death. 9. Raw Eggs – Just as humans are advised against eating raw eggs, it is not a good idea to feed them to your cat. Eating raw eggs can lead to salmonella. Additionally, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin. This enzyme can decrease the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. The loss of biotin can cause hair and skin problems in cats. 10. Raw Fish – Though many people think of cats as lovers of fish, raw or otherwise, uncooked fish can be toxic to cats. This is because the bacteria that raw fish carries has the potential to be poisonous to your cat. 11. Yeast Dough – Anyone who has ever made bread or pizza dough from scratch knows that dough needs to rise. If your cat eats uncooked yeast dough, it will rise in his stomach. This can cause a host of complications, including pain, stretching of the stomach, and possible rupture of the stomach and intestines. Additionally, when yeast is fermenting, it releases alcohol, which (as mentioned earlier) is very dangerous for cats. 12. Xylitol – Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is found in many products such as sugar-free gum, sugar-free candy, toothpaste, mouthwash, and baked goods. If your cat gets his paws on Xylitol and consumes it, it will increase his insulin levels and lower his sugar levels. This can lead to liver failure. Better safe than sorry If you suspect your cat has ingested any foods mentioned above, take him or her to your veterinarian immediately. You can also call the ASPCA National Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

 
 
Jade Green