Some foods which are edible for humans, and even dogs, can pose hazards for cats because of their different metabolism. Find out which foods to avoid feeding your cat.
Submitted by PetFinderAdmin on 2010-11-10
Some foods which are edible for humans, and even dogs, can pose hazards for cats because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death.
The following common food items should not be fed (or in some cases, not in excessive amounts) to your cat:
Alcoholic beverages
Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
Baby food
Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats fed baby food for an extended period of time. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.
Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources
Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Canned tuna (for human consumption)
Large amounts can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals. It can also lead to thiamine deficiency (see 'Fish' below).
Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine
Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous system.
Citrus oil extracts
Can cause vomiting.
Dog food
If accidental ingestion, will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.
Fat trimmings
Can cause pancreatitis.
Fish (raw, canned or cooked)
If fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
Grapes, raisins and currants
Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron
Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Macadamia nuts
Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
Marijuana Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
Milk and other dairy products
Some adult cats and dogs may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.
Moldy or spoiled food, garbage
Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
Mushrooms
Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder)
Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Persimmons
Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
Raw eggs
Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
Raw meat
May contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Rhubarb leaves
Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
Salt
If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
String
Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."
Sugary foods
Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table scraps (in large amounts)
Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.
Tobacco
Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
Yeast dough
Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
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