What foods are bad for cats?

There are some foods which we humans love and eat, but shouldn’t share with our cats.

What’s for dinner?
photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

There are two reasons: cats have a different metabolism than us and cats have different nutritional needs. Some foods cause cats mild digestive discomfort, so it’s loving to make sure your cat doesn’t eat them. But the foods that can cause our cats harm, real harm (as in severe illness, possibly death) we must be aware of and be diligent that they never consume them.
Here is a basic reference

open fridge
photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

especially dangerous items are marked ?

• Alcoholic drinks. Can cause coma, and death. ?
• Avocado. All parts of the avocado contain a toxin known as persin. It causes gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation around the tissues of the heart and even death. Cats may be attracted to the oily texture, but should not be fed avocado pieces (in salads) or avocado dips. ?
• Baby food is OK, if you read the label to make sure it does not contain onion powder – onions are toxic to cats. Also, baby food lacks complete  nutrition for cats, so if your cat eats baby food for any period of time, please supplement your cat’s diet because your cat requires nutrition like taurine, which baby food does not contain.

for more information, watch this feeding sick cats on mykittycare youtube

• Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources. Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
• Canned tuna (for people) like baby food, it’s OK, but because  it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals, shouldn’t be a primary food, and requires supplements.
• Chocolate, coffee, tea, and anything that contains caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous system. ?
• Citrus oil extracts, used as a healthy (for humans) additive to water. My cat prefers drinking from my water glass, so that’s one way a cat could unintentionally consume this. Can cause vomiting.
• Dog food is not an alternate for cat food. if fed often to your cat, could cause malnutrion and diseases affecting the heart.
• Fat trimmings may 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. ?
• Garlic: although less toxic than onions, it still damages red blood cells which inhibits their ability to carry oxygen. People use garlic or garlic tabs on their cat for flea control, but it is still toxic. Besides, garlic apparently is not effective as a flea repellent.
• Grapes, raisins and currants: contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. ?
• Human vitamin supplements that contain iron, may damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
• Liver: large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity. This affects muscles and bones and can cause abnormal bone growth, particularly noticeable on the spine and neck region.
• Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. ?
• Marijuana depresses the nervous system, may cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.
• Milk and other dairy products. Some adult cats may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.
• Moldy or spoiled food can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.
  

  white cap mushrooms
  photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

onions and potatoes
photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

• Potatoes are members of the Solanaceae family of plants and are related to Deadly Nightshade. They contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called glycoalkaloid solanine that can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Uncooked or green potatoes and raw potato peelings are all toxic.Once cooked, the alkaloid is destroyed making the potato safe. Cooked mashed potato can be used safely. If your cat is overweight, mix cooked mashed potatoes into canned food as a bulking agent.
• Persimmons Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
• Raw eggs have an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and fur problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.
  

  carton of eggs
  photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

• Raw meat potentialy contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rhubarb leaves have oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
• Salt. Bad when eaten in large quantities; can cause electrolyte imbalances.
• Sugary foods lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
• Table scraps (in large amounts) are not nutritionally balanced for cats. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be given.
• Tobacco: nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems, which can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death. ?
• Yeast dough. If your cat eats too.much, it expands and produces gas in the digestive system, causing pain. Worse case scenario: rupture of the stomach or intestines.
• Tomatoes, a member of the Solanaceae family of plants and related to Deadly Nightshade. They contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called glycoalkaloid solanine that can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Generally cats aren’t attracted to tomatoes, but there have been reports of a single cherry tomato causing a near-fatal reaction. Green tomatoes and the leaves and stems are all toxic. The toxin is destroyed by cooking so the tomato juice in cans of sardines, pilchards and other fish is safe to eat. Some cats also like the juice from cans of baked beans, but these may contain harmful preservatives. As with all canned treats – read the label. ?
• Tuna, excessively eaten, can lead to steatitis (Yellow Fat Disease, pansteatitis). This painful inflammatory condition results from a diet high in unsaturated fatty acids & deficient in Vitamin E; over-consumption of oily fish is the main cause in cats. Tuna seems addictive to cats, but should be limited to special treats only. Tuna contains little vitamin E and the excessive unsaturated fatty acids further deplete vitamin E in the body. Cats with steatitis develop flaky skin and a greasy, dull coat. They show signs of severe pain when touched and are reluctant to move. They also lose their appetites and develop fever. If untreated, it results in death. ?
  

  Marnie waits for her dinner, not yours
  photo by shari smith dunaif 2016

As much as we love to pamper and spoil our cats, their dietary needs are very specific. It’s great to give them treats, but choose them with care. Love your cat.

Let’s educate ourselves, and read labels!

references
messybeast.com
peteducation.com
catbehaviorassociates.com