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10/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 15:37

11 Foods That Are Poisonous to Cats: What Felines Can and Can’t Eat

Giving your cat treats made for felines is one thing. Giving your cat treats made for humans is another. Many people foods, like grapes and chocolate, are poisonous to cats. These foods can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. And as a good pet parent, the last thing you want is to make your fur baby sick.

Below, we discuss common human foods - and household items - that are poisonous to cats so that you can be sure to keep them away from your pet.

11 foods poisonous to cats

Here is a list of 11 human foods and beverages that can harm your cat.

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1. Alcohol As much as you may enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, avoid sharing it or any other alcoholic drink with your cat.Alcohol consumption in catscan cause:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Breathing issues
  • Stumbling
  • Trembling
  • Coma
  • Death

2. Chocolate It's well known thatchocolateis bad for dogs, but it's also poisonous to cats. Substances in chocolate called methylxanthines - which include caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline - are what makes it dangerous for felines.

Signs that a cat has eaten chocolate include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive peeing
  • Weakness
  • Hyperactivity
  • Tremors
  • Coma

3. Coffee and tea Like chocolate,coffee and teaalso contain methylxanthines that can make cats sick with diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.

4. Coconut waterCoconut wateris high in potassium.Too much potassiumcan make your cat sick and cause muscle weakness, depression, and life-threatening irregular heart rhythms.

5. Garlic and onions These flavorful foods contain sulfoxide and disulfide compounds that can be toxic to cats. Whether they're fresh, cooked, or crushed,garlic and onionscan cause gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and excessive thirst in your cat. This goes for other allium plants, too, like chives and leeks.

6. Grapes and raisinsGrapes and raisinsmay be a healthy snack for you. But for cats, nibbling on these tasty treats can cause kidney failure.

7. Milk As kittens age into adulthood, some becomelactose intolerant. That means milk and other dairy products can upset their tummies and cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Raw milk is also something to avoid, as it can contain diseases (likebird flu) that can harm your cat.

8. Nuts Because of their high oil and fat contents,nutsaren't a good snack for your kitty. Nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis in cats.

9. Raw meats and eggsRaw meats and eggscan containSalmonellaandE. colibacteria, which are harmful to cats. Also, raw eggs contain avidin, an enzyme that can lower biotin (a B vitamin) absorption. This can affect your cat's skin and coat health.

10. XylitolXylitolis an artificial sweetener that's added to products such as gum, candy, and baked goods. You may also find xylitol in some peanut butters and other products, like medications for humans. While xylitoldoesn't seem to be as toxicto cats as it is to dogs, it's still best to keep your cat away from this potential poison.

11. Yeast doughYeast doughcan rise in your cat's stomach, creating gassy discomfort. It can also cause their stomach to twist, which is life-threatening in cats. In addition, yeast produces the alcoholethanol, and all alcohol is harmful to cats.

Symptoms of food poisoning in cats

Signs offood poisoningin cats vary depending on the substance responsible for the poisoning. But food poisoning in cats often results in digestive or neurological symptoms.

Symptoms of feline food poisoning include:

  • Fatigue
  • Stumbling
  • Drooling
  • Heavy breathing
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting

How to keep your cat away from poisonous foods

Keeping your cat away from poisonous foods can be tricky. Cats are curious critters and prone to getting into things. These tips can help you protect your cat from eating something they shouldn't:

  • Store your food in pet-proof containers.
  • Throw food away in pet-proof trash cans.
  • Keep pantry and cabinet doors closed or secured with childproof locks.
  • Don't leave dirty dishes in the sink or pots and pans uncovered.
  • Clean your plates after meals.

What should you do if your cat eats poisonous food?

If you believe your cat ate something poisonous, get help immediately. You can go to a veterinary emergency clinic. You can also call your veterinarian or one of thesepet poison helplinesfor guidance:

Don't try to make your cat throw up or manage the toxin on your own.

What other items are poisonous to cats?

Besides certain human foods, many otherhousehold itemscan be poisonous to cats. Common examples are:

Frequently asked questions

Are there cat foods that are bad for cats?expand_moreHomemade cat foodsare probably not the best for your cat. These recipes don't always have the right proportions of nutrients.Raw pet foodscan also make your cat sick. You're better off feeding your feline store-bought, nutritionally balanced cat food.

Can you give your cat table scraps?expand_more

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line

Giving a cat treats is a pet owner's delight. But if you give them some of your food, keep in mind that your cat may get sick. Human foods like chocolate, grapes, garlic, and onions (among others) are poisonous to cats and could cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

If your cat shows signs of food poisoning, take them to the vet immediately or call a pet poison helpline. Your cat will have a better chance of recovering if they're treated right away.