What foods can't cats eat? - briefly
Cats should avoid eating onions, garlic, and chives as they contain compounds that can damage cats' red blood cells and lead to anemia. Additionally, grapes and raisins are toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure.
What foods can't cats eat? - in detail
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their diet should primarily consist of meat. However, there are several foods that cats should avoid as they can be harmful or even toxic.
Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to cats. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are particularly dangerous due to their high concentration of these substances. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats include restlessness, heart problems, muscle tremors, internal bleeding, and even death in severe cases.
Onions and Garlic: These contain thiosulfates, which can damage a cat's red blood cells and lead to anemia. Even small amounts of onion or garlic can be harmful, so it is best to avoid feeding them to cats altogether. Symptoms may include lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and elevated heart rate.
Grapes and Raisins: While the exact toxic substance in grapes and raisins is not known, they can cause kidney failure in cats. Even small amounts can be dangerous, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, kidney damage or failure.
Dairy Products: Many cats are lactose intolerant, which means they lack the enzyme lactase needed to digest dairy products. Consuming dairy can lead to stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although some cats may tolerate small amounts of dairy, it is generally best to avoid feeding them these products.
Raw Fish: While some cat foods contain fish as an ingredient, feeding cats raw fish can be harmful due to the presence of thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (Vitamin B1). A deficiency in thiamine can lead to neurological problems and even death. Cooking fish or using commercial cat food that contains fish as an ingredient mitigates this risk.
Bones: Cooked bones, especially chicken and turkey bones, can splinter and pose a choking hazard or cause internal damage. Raw bones can also be dangerous and should be avoided to prevent injury.
Macadamia Nuts: These nuts contain an unknown toxin that can affect the digestive and nervous systems of cats. Symptoms may include weakness, depression, vomiting, abdominal pain, and increased body temperature.
Caffeine: Similar to chocolate, caffeine is toxic to cats. It can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and even death in severe cases. Cats are particularly sensitive to caffeine, so it should be kept out of their reach.
Alcohol: Alcohol is highly toxic to cats and can lead to serious health issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, and even coma or death in severe cases.
Raw Dough: Raw dough containing yeast can expand in a cat's stomach, leading to bloating and discomfort. Additionally, the raw eggs in dough may contain salmonella or E. coli, which can cause food poisoning in cats.
In summary, while it may be tempting to share human foods with cats, many common ingredients are toxic or harmful to them. To ensure their health and well-being, cat owners should stick to a diet that is specifically formulated for cats and consult with a veterinarian if they have any questions about what foods are safe for their feline companions.