home Cat 8 Human Foods You Shouldn’t Give Your Cat

8 Human Foods You Shouldn’t Give Your Cat

Every cat owner will want to keep their feline friend nourished. However, showing your affection by giving human foods isn’t the way to go. Even if your cat gives the sweetest purr, don’t get tempted to give him table scraps.

Not all human food items are safe for your cat to eat. To help you avoid giving your furry feline friend inappropriate and possibly toxic human foods, a Dubai pet food delivery service shares the following list of foods to avoid:

1. Chocolate

Even if you love eating chocolates, that doesn’t mean your cat would enjoy the same. Chocolates contain a bitter-tasting stimulant called “theobromine”. You’ll find this most concentrated in dark and unsweetened chocolates. The Ingestion of chocolates can cause your cat heart problems, muscle tremors, and even seizures.

2. Alcohol

Even just a tablespoon of alcohol can spell trouble for your cat. This amount, although little, can cause severe brain and liver damage.

3. Onion and Garlic

Onion and garlic can damage your feline’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. When eaten in large amounts, these foods are highly poisonous. Cats who accidentally ingest onion and garlic should be taken to a veterinarian immediately after showing these symptoms:

  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Reduced appetite
  • Pale gums
  • Orange to dark urine

4. Cheese and Milk

Some cats are lactose intolerant. Dairy products are high on the list of what your feline shouldn’t eat as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Most cats only get exposed to lactose from their mother’s milk when they’re still kittens. And since kittens only drink their mother’s milk for a few weeks, their digestive systems may not be able to handle lactose again. While there are cats who have no trouble drinking milk, it’s still not recommended as it can cause possible digestive issues.

5. Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many sugar-free foods. This can cause a severe drop in blood sugar which can then lead to convulsions, seizures, liver failure, or even death. It’s better to stay safe and not let your cat have any food containing this ingredient.

6. Energy drinks

Coffee, tea, and other energy drinks contain caffeine. Ingesting any of them will cause your cat to be restless and suffer from heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and rapid breathing.

7. Raw Food and Bones

Serving raw eggs and meat to a cat can lead to E. coli or salmonella poisoning. Symptoms of the disease can vary but may include diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting. Take note that raw eggs also contain an enzyme which may lead to various skin and coat problems.

Make sure to keep your feline from eating raw bones as well, since he could choke on them, injure his digestive tract, or damage his teeth.

8. Grapes and Raisins

Just a small quantity of grapes or raisins can cause your feline to be ill, even leading to kidney failure. Within 12 hours of ingesting these foods, vomiting may occur. Other signs that may come up include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Decreased urination
  • Reduced appetite

Prevention

The best way to prevent your cat from accidentally ingesting dangerous food products is to keep them out of reach. Cats can reach high places, so make sure to take that into account.

Here are other tips you should consider to keep your feline safe from dangerous and toxic foods:

  • Only consider non-toxic human food as a treat and give it on rare occasions to avoid gastrointestinal upset and nutritional imbalance.
  • If it’s something you wouldn’t eat, don’t give it to your cat. The same thing applies to raw food.
  • Install cat-proof locks on your cabinets if you have a talented kitty who can easily open anything.
  • Don’t let your cat stay on the counter or table while you’re eating or cooking.

Sweeping your floors frequently can eliminate table scraps that have fallen off. If you have too many things to handle plus a cat to take care of, you can hire a cleaning service to ensure nothing is left on the floor for your feline to snack on.

When you suspect that your cat has accidentally eaten any of the eight foods above, make sure to take him to the vet straight away. Although some of these foods may only cause slight discomfort to your feline friend, it’s better to be safe and seek your vet’s guidance. 

AUTHOR BIO

Farah Al-Khojai is the Managing Partner of Pet’s Delight. A passionate entrepreneur, Farah holds a Bsc in Government from the London School of Economics. She is always on the lookout for new opportunities to develop and grow the pet and equestrian retail and wholesale market in the UAE and beyond, and is proud to be at the helm of the first and the largest pet care provider in the market representing world-class brands including Orijen, Applaws, Hunter, Savic, Flamingo, Ruffwear and Rogz.

Cat clothes provide several benefits for cats. When tailored to the needs, they make a must-have for your pet. Putting clothing on a cat increases the heat-trapping capacity of its fur, which can keep it warm during extremely cold temperatures. If you take your cat outside during a snowy winter, you should consider dressing them properly.