Did Somebody Say Food?
Do you know there are foods that are not fit for your cat’s consumption? Just like humans, cats are not supposed to eat anything and everything. If you want your furry friend to live a long and healthy life, you need to know what foods are not supposed to be on her plate, and learning the 20 foods to never feed your cat is essential. Having this basic knowledge will not only save your cat but also save you a lot of misery and stress.
So, if you want to know the 20 foods you should never give your cat, read on to learn more.
Chocolate
You probably heard that chocolate are bad for dogs, but they are bad for cats too. Chocolate contain theobromine, which is actually harmful to most animals.
Another substance found in chocolate is known as methylxanthines. This is a chemical component that can cause vomiting, muscle tremors, increased body temperature, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and increased thirst.
Don’t give food that comes with chocolate as well. These include pudding, white chocolate, and cocoa powder. If you know a portion of food has chocolate components, better not to give it to your cat.
While it is true that cats would probably not be too excited to eat chocolate, you should not be too complacent, but rather put all chocolate-related products in a place your cat can’t reach. After all, better safe than sorry!
Caffeine
You may love coffee, however, it is certainly not a good idea to give it to your cat. Any food products that come with caffeine should be avoided. These include chocolate, coffee, caffeinated drinks, energy drinks, black tea, green tea, sodas, espresso, baked goods, and others. Read the label before giving it to your cat.
Garlic And Onions
Garlic and onions and other related food enhancers such as shallots, chives, and scallions can damage and even kill the red blood cells of your cat. This is due to a substance known as N-propyl disulfide. With a decreased number of red blood cells, your cat will be prone to anemia.
Be sure not to expose your cat to onion soup mix, garlic powder, and other foods with garlic and onions. Cats who suffer from anemia or low red blood cell count exhibit weakness, lethargy, reduced appetite, orange to dark red urine, and pale gums.
Tuna
You probably have given your cat tuna in the past and you noticed nothing bad happened. However, the problem becomes more pronounced when you give your cat tuna regularly. For one, tuna does not give your cat all the nutrients he needs. Number two, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning, which can cause neurological damage. This may, in turn, result in difficulty in walking and loss of balance and coordination.
Canned tuna also has a very high sodium content, which, in the long run, can be detrimental to your cat’s kidneys, as well as cause dehydration.
Potatoes and tomatoes
Cooked potatoes and tomatoes are okay with cats – just don’t give it raw. Eating uncooked potatoes and tomatoes can lead to gastrointestinal disorders in cats. Be careful with unripe potatoes as well. Whether cooked or not, it should never be given to your feline pet. Unripe potatoes are known to cause hallucinations, cardiac issues, and paralysis.
Raw food
Now, this can be a little controversial. Some experts would suggest that raw food is good for cats. After all, that’s what their cousins eat in the wild. Whether raw food is good or not to your cat, you need to consider the risk of bacterial infection and poisoning. There’s a higher chance that raw food comes with salmonella and E. coli – both could lead to diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and lethargy.
If ever you decide to feed your cat with raw food, just make sure you properly prepare it. Cleanliness is of the highest priority.
20 Foods to NEVER Feed Your Cat
Here is the full list of the 20 foods to never feed your cat, these harmful foods should be avoided always:
- Chocolate
- Garlic & Onions
- Tuna
- Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Alcohol
- Raw dough
- Raw eggs
- Raw fish
- Liver
- Milk (this might surprise you, but cats don’t actually drink milk!)
- Dairy products, and other foods that contain lactose
- Raisins
- Grapes
- Dog food
- Fat trimmings
- Bones
- Yeast dough
- Raw Food
- Artificial sweeteners like xylitol
Don’t let your cat eat any of these foods. Make sure to store them in places your cat can’t reach. You need to seal food as well to prevent its odor from enticing your cat. If possible, your kitchen should be off-limits to your feline friend. If you suspect that your cat has eaten foods that should never be eaten, call your vet and get expert advice.
Final Words
These are just of the things you should never feed your cat. Don’t think that your cat knows best what food she should eat or not. As a loving pet owner, it is up to you to provide the best food for your cat and ensure he stays healthy and strong.
