14 Human Foods You Shouldn’t Give to Your Cat
Okay, most cats aren't as voracious as dogs when it comes to eating people’s meals. Even foods that would cause a dog to sacrifice a limb in exchange for a nibble will turn most cats' noses up.
But that doesn't rule out the possibility of cats eating human food if the opportunity arises. In fact, there is so much misinformation about cats that many people unintentionally feed them foods that they believe are nutritious and tasty, but which may cause the cat's stomach to spin — or worse.
The following foods should either be used as treats or avoided altogether by your cat.
1. Dairy
A group of cats gathered around a saucer of milk is one of the most iconic images of cats. These photos, if they were more candid, would show the aftermath of disturbing stomachs and diarrhea. Because, contrary to popular belief, cats are unable to process the lactose found in dairy products. This means that any milk or dairy product from cows, sheep, goats, or even other cats (once weaned as kittens) will cause digestive problems.
2. Onions and Garlic
Onions, garlic, shallots, chives, and other foods containing thiosulphate, a compound that can cause serious problems in cats, should be avoided. When enough thiosulphate is consumed, their red blood cells are destroyed, resulting in hemolytic anemia, a life-threatening condition.
Thankfully, most cats won't go hunting for onion or garlic bits, but they might sneak a few bites of your onion and garlic-infused dinner or onion rings off your plate when you're not looking!
You might also accidentally give it to them in chicken or other broths that you add to their food or water (either to encourage your cat to eat better, drink more, or just as a treat).
3. Alcohol
If your cat manages to drink even a small amount of alcohol (after all, cats are small), it can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms.
Disturbance indigestion
Breathing difficulties
Bewilderment
Death in a Coma
Don't leave drinks on coffee tables or other surfaces unattended, and clean up any spills right away before your cat gets a taste. Seriously, a lick or two of alcohol is all it takes to cause major problems in cats.
4. Chocolate
Can cats eat chocolate? Chocolate isn't just a problem in dogs' lives. Chocolate, though less well-known, is toxic to cats, causing diarrhea, vomiting, low blood pressure, breathing problems, and even heart failure.
Although cats are less likely than dogs to consume a toxic dose of chocolate, it is still best to keep it away from them, especially darker chocolates with higher cocoa content.
5. Grapes, Raisins, and Currants
While we know for certain that these famous fruits can cause kidney failure in some dogs, we aren't so sure about the risk they pose to cats. However, it's best not to give your cats grapes, raisins, or currants on purpose, and to keep them away from them in general, as acute kidney failure is a serious risk.
6. Caffeine
You may need a cup of coffee to get going in the morning, but the same amount of caffeine in your cup of joe will harm your cat. Caffeine toxicity in cats can result in the following symptoms:
Hyperactivity is a condition in which a person
Heart rate has increased.
Tremors are a type of tremor that occurs
Seizures that make breathing impossible
Although a quick taste of your coffee, energy drink, or soda is unlikely to cause serious problems for your cat, raw coffee grounds and tea bags may contain enough caffeine to cause a problem if your cat eats some.
7. Raw Meat
Giving your cat raw meat as a way of simulating what they would eat "in the wild" can be enticing. However, just because a wild cat will eat raw meat does not mean it will be safe for your cat. Uncooked meat is more likely to contain pathogenic bacteria (such as Salmonella and E. coli, some of which may be antibiotic-resistant!) as well as parasites (like Toxoplasma and even tapeworms).
If you want to prepare your cat's food at home or feed them a "less processed" diet, at the very least freeze and properly cook the meat to reduce the risk of food poisoning or parasite infection in your cat (and yourself). (Also, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that your cat's diet contains the right nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other components — in the right amounts and balance.)
8. Raw Dough
Even a small amount of yeast in raw bread or pizza dough can quickly produce enough alcohol and carbon dioxide to cause serious problems for a cat if consumed. Furthermore, the dough can "rise" (expand) within the cat's stomach to the point where surgery is required to remove the digestive obstruction.
9. Cooked Tuna
Tuna fish can be fine for cats as a once-in-a-while treat. Cats, on the other hand, have unique dietary requirements that tuna fish alone cannot meet. Furthermore, a tuna fish diet — or a diet consisting primarily of tuna fish — can expose your cat to mercury poisoning.
10. Raw Seafood
Thiaminase enzymes are found in raw tuna, anchovies (Caesar salad anyone? ), sardines, herring, carp, mussels, clams, and other water-loving creatures, and they break down thiamine, an essential B vitamin.
Fortunately, the heat used to cook these foods causes the thiaminase enzymes to change and become harmless.
11. Liver (raw)
For most cats, a little liver here and there isn't a problem. Indeed, the liver is a good source of protein, iron, and a variety of other nutrients. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing! Vitamin A is abundant in the liver, and it is fat-soluble (builds up in fat cells within the body).
As a result, a cat who eats too much liver for too long will develop a dangerous vitamin A imbalance known as hypervitaminosis A.
12. Raw Eggs
In addition to the Salmonella risk that raw eggs pose to cats, egg whites contain a protein called avidin. When consumed raw, avidin can prevent biotin, an essential B vitamin, from being absorbed from the intestines.
Cooking the egg whites, on the other hand, alters the structure of avidin, making it harmless. (If you're wondering why someone would feed cooked eggs to a cat, it's because it's often a part of home-cooked diets, such as allergy/elimination trials.)
13. Bones
Small, brittle bones, such as those found in chicken, turkey, and other birds, can splinter and injure a cat's mouth and digestive tract.
14. Dog Food
While a nibble from Fido's food bowl once in a while shouldn't bother your cat, a steady diet of dog food will. Cats aren't "little dogs," so their nutritional needs vary from those of dogs, such as a higher requirement for dietary taurine. This is an amino acid breakdown product that is necessary for the heart, eyes, and other organs to function properly.
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