Dangerous Human Foods for Cats

It stands to reason that owners feel their cats are part of the family. However, this shouldn’t be the case when it comes to meals. Certain human foods can be quite dangerous to cats. Some may cause only mild problems, but others can cause severe health problems and even death. Keep reading to learn about some of the foods that you’ll want to avoid giving your cat.

Dangerous Human Foods for Cats

Dangerous Human Foods for Cats

Raw Meat

In the wild, cats obviously eat food that they hunt raw. Some owners try to replicate this and put their felines on a raw meat diet. Although there is a back and forth debate about this, you need to be careful when it comes to raw meat. Some of them harbor harmful bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Bones

Foods like fish and chicken contain bones. Although eating some of these meats isn’t harmful itself, the bones may cause problems for your cat. Broken bones that are consumes can lead to lacerations in the digestive system. Even bones that are still intact can cause an obstruction to occur.

Chocolate

Giving chocolate to cats is definitely not up for debate. It’s one of the most harmful foods that you can give thanks to the theobromine that it contains. Since darker chocolate contains more theobromine than lighter or milk chocolate, it’s more toxic. However, you need to abstain from giving any type to your cat.

Onions

Onions of any kind should never be given to cats, whether raw or in cooked food. If your cat eats onions, it will likely lead to anemia. An ingredient in the food causes the destruction of feline’s red blood cells.

Garlic

Onions are often combined with garlic, so giving foods that contain both ingredients is definitely a no-no. Garlic contains the same ingredient as onions that leads to anemia in cats, although it contains much less than the latter.

Grapes/Raisins

Veterinarians don’t exactly know why grapes and raisins are harmful to cats. However, for some reason it is. If cats eat either of these foods, their kidneys will likely be damaged. As you know, the kidneys are vital organs, so you’ll want to avoid giving anything that won’t agree with them.

Macadamia Nuts

Much like grapes and raisins, it isn’t know why macadamia nuts are harmful. They won’t cause kidney damage though. Instead, they will affect your cat’s muscles and nervous system.

Mushrooms

Hopefully, you’re aware that even we can’t eat just any type of mushroom. Some varieties are very harmful, even deadly to humans. It’s the same with cats too. Avoid giving your cats any type of mushroom because you never know if it contains toxins of some sort. In extreme cases, cats can die after ingesting mushrooms.

Milk

Many people think it’s just natural to give cats milk. Kittens typically don’t have problems, but adult cats might. It’s not uncommon for adults to experience cramps and other abdominal symptoms after consumption of milk, especially those that are lactose-intolerant. This is particularly a problem for older felines.