Your Cat’s nutritional needs are important, and you want to make sure she has the best type of cat food to meet those needs. Sometimes, you may feel tempted to give her table scraps and special treats from time to time, but be aware that certain foods can be harmful to her. Find out which foods can be dangerous and toxic.
What are toxic foods to cats?
Table of Contents
Those foods that are not suitable for your pet, which has adverse health benefits, can create hazardous effects; it’s falls in this category. We will discuss some dangerous foods that you may knowingly unknowingly treat your pet by mistake. Have a look.
Garlic and onions.
The red blood cells of your Cat can be damaged by eating onions, garlic, shallots, and chives, which can cause anemia in your pet. The consumption of these foods in large quantities is often poisonous. Still, the consumption of concentrated forms of onion and garlic, such as onion soup mix or garlic powder, can also be poisonous.
If your cat exhibits signs of lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, pale gums, or orange to dark red urine, you should consult your veterinarian immediately.
Avoid chocolate and caffeine drinks.
Chocolate is known to be poisonous to dogs, but it’s also a toxic substance to cats. In chocolate, a substance called methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, high body temperatures, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythms, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, and seizures.
In addition to methylxanthines, caffeinated beverages also contain these compounds and should be avoided. You must consult your veterinarian if any of the above symptoms occur to your Cat. Darker chocolate is generally considered more dangerous than milk chocolate or white chocolate, as a general rule.
Do not feed your cat raw eggs, raw meat, or raw bones.
Like humans, eating raw eggs or raw meat can lead to salmonella or E. coli poisoning in cats. Symptoms of the illness vary, but they can include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Salmonella and E. coli bacteria can also spread to humans,
So be careful to wash your hands thoroughly after cooking and keep your Cat away from these raw foods. Raw eggs also contain an enzyme that can cause skin and coat problems. Prevent your cat from eating bare bones as well, as she could choke on them, injure her digestive tract, or damage her teeth. So whenever you feed them from now, you need to be careful a little bit.
Also Read: What are the signs of a pregnant cat
Drinking alcohol and eating raw dough
Both alcoholic beverages and foods that contain alcohol can be dangerous to your Cat. The effects of ingesting this substance include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, disorientation, breathing difficulty, coma, and even death.
Also, make sure that your Cat does not ingest raw dough. Raw dough can cause your Cat’s stomach to expand and even force him to ingest alcohol. You should take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect that she has ingested even a small amount of alcohol.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can make your Cat sick; they can even lead to rapid kidney failure if they are eaten in large amounts. Some cats vomit within 12 hours after eating grapes or raisins. Lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, decreased urination, and abdominal pain is other symptoms that may appear within 24 hours.
There is no apparent reason why grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats, and even a small amount can cause them harm. Symptoms include hyperactivity and repeated vomiting. Though some cats do not show any adverse effects, it is best not to give your cat grapes and keep grapes and raisins off countertops and other accessible places.
Milk and dairy products
While your Cat likes to drink milk, it may not suit her. Lactose in milk is difficult for cats to digest, resulting in an upset stomach and diarrhea. In most cases, kittens are only exposed to lactose in their mother’s milk.
During the kitten’s first few weeks of life, she only drinks her mother’s milk, so her digestive system isn’t equipped to handle a lactose reintroduction. Therefore, it is not recommended that cats drink anything other than their mother’s milk during their infancy due to the possibility of digestive problems.
Recommended: The spiritual significance of the black cat
Can Dog’s food be safe for Cat?
While dog food is not harmful to cats, cats have very different nutritional needs than dogs. Vitamin A, taurine, arachidonic acid, and protein should be abundant in cat food, while dog food contains much lower levels of these nutrients. Dogs can survive on lower levels of vitamin A and protein, while cats cannot. Cats need these acids in their diet because dogs can produce taurine and arachidonic acid. Without adequate taurine, cats can suffer from heart, vision, and dental problems.
How to prevent cats from consuming dangerous and toxic foods?
Depending on the type of food your cat consumes, its life and well-being may be affected. Keep poisonous and dangerous foods out of her reach and make sure that she eats a balanced diet to keep her healthy.
Tips for preventing your Cat from eating dangerous and toxic foods:
- Store food away from your Cat. For curious cats, it may be necessary to install cat-proof locks on cabinets.
- Don’t give your pets raw bones and Raw eggs.
- While you cook or eat, do not let your Cat climb on the counter.
- Make sure he does not eat table scraps.
- Be especially vigilant during the holidays. Many of these tempting foods can upset your Cat’s stomach or even harm her.
If you notice your Cat eating one of these foods, take her to the veterinarian right away. While some of these foods may only cause mild discomfort, others can be far more dangerous for your Cat. Ask your vet for guidance.
