HUMAN foods that are harmful to Cats

Karen MChancy
Aug 8, 2017 · 5 min read

Cats are one of the favorite pets all over the world and are domesticated as much as dogs. Many would love and care for the cat the same way they would care for themselves. It is thought that a cat will mostly know what’s best for them so we feel they wouldn’t eat anything that can harm them. Well, you’re wrong. There are food items that are perfectly fine for you but can cause havoc to a cat’s health.

1. Tuna

Tuna is a healthy diet for humans. Tuna contains omega-3 fatty acids that are considered essential nutrients. Although, tuna consumption does not cause immediate harms, but overfeeding and lack of regular cat food can lead to unintended consequence or even death. Too much tuna consumption can also cause vitamin B1 and vitamin B deficiency. Ingestion of excess tuna has also been associated with the inflammation of fatty tissue known as Steatitis. This condition is characterized by a presence of a lump under the skin often mistaken for a tumor. If a lump is observed under the skin after the constant feeding of tuna, immediately consult your veterinarian. Steatitis is associated with fever, lethargy, and lack of appetite.

Effects of Excessive Tuna Consumption

Excessive tuna causes mercury poisoning, and mercury poisoning causes a mental disturbance, loss of memory, rashes, weak muscles, impair vision, and lack of coordination.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol is harmful to your adorable cat. On average, being smaller than dogs, alcohol is more dangerous for the cat. Evan, a small quantity of alcohol, can cause your cat to be seriously drunk. Liquor, wine, beer or alcoholic foods and beverages can cause severe damage to your cat. Since, alcohol is present in perfumes and mouthwash, paints, dyes, inks, and certain drinks; these products should be kept at bay since small quantities of alcohol can cause poisoning in cats[1].

Effects of Alcohol Consumption in Cats

Alcohol consumption may cause brain and liver damage which can place an adult cat in a coma and may kill a younger cat. Diarrhea, staggering, lack of coordination, depression vomiting are things to look out for when your cat ingest alcohol.

3. Coffee, Chocolate and Energy Drinks

A smaller companion such as a cat can suffer in case of accidental or intentional ingestion of coffee chocolate, energy drinks. This can cause severe health issues in cats and may also cause death. Since a cat cannot sense sweet flavors, chocolate ingestion is not very likely and mostly happens due to owners accidental feeding. Chocolate contains a toxic substance called theobromine which poses a danger to cats[2]. Caffeine in a larger quantity can be fatal and poisonous to a cat which there is no antidote to this poison. All kinds of chocolate either white or the darker are hazardous to your cat’s health. Dark chocolates are more dangerous because of the presence of theobromine which is present in white chocolate in small quantities. Inadvertent, consumption of caffeine in the form of chocolate and energy has been can be found in energy drinks such as Red Bull and also in some painkillers.

Effects of Coffee, Chocolate, and Energy Drink Consumption in Cats

The consumption of these cocao products can cause muscles tremor, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm, rapid breathing, restlessness, and eventually death.

4. Fat Trimmings, Raw Meat, Eggs, and Liver

You may think that since big cats i.e. lions, tigers, and cheetahs eat raw meat, domestic cats may also like a treat of raw meat. Don’t think of giving your cat raw diet because raw meat including fish may contain worms and their eggs e.g. Tapeworm. You should consider consulting a trusted veterinarian before adding these to your cat’s diet.

The consumption of raw eggs is associated with bacteria ingestion e.g. E. coli and Salmonella, and this can cause severe damages to your cat’s health. Fat trimming has been shown to causes pancreatitis i.e. inflammation of the pancreas in a cat’s intestine.

Taking a little amount of liver is OK for a cat, but taking am excessive amount can cause toxicity in vitamin A. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat’s bones. Symptoms include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death.

Effects of Fat Trimmings, Raw Meat, Eggs and Liver Consumption in Cats

The risk associated with raw meat and eggs is tremor, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea. Consult your veterinarian before giving your cat raw products.

5. Xylitol

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener is dangerous to cats. Used as a replacement for simple sugar in chewing gums, toothpaste and similar products can be harmful to your cat. Xylitol causes hypoglycemia i.e. rapid processing of sugar by insulin.

Effects of Xylitol Consumption in Cats

Although no adverse effects have been observed so far in cats, xylitol consumption can result in lethargy, lack of coordination, loss of attention, vomiting and even coma in cats.

6. Milk and Other Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products can be harmful to cats since many are lactose-intolerant. Lactose is the milk is hard to digest for cats and may cause discomfort and uneasiness producing cramps, stomach upset, and business for some cats. When your cat craves for milk, don’t deny it of milk but make sure you give it a little amount once or twice in a week.

Effects of Consuming Milk and Other Dairy Products

Lack of lactose digestion in cats can cause cramps, stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.

7. Onions and Garlic

Cats are more at risk after onions and/or garlic ingestion than dogs since, their body weight is lesser than dogs. Onion powder consumption has been reported to cause Heinz body anemia in your cat which is a condition of low blood cells. Several processed foods contain onion and garlic, so avoid giving your cat any processed food.

Effects of Onions and Garlic Consumptions in Cats

Onions and Garlic cause digestive upset and potential anemia in your cats and possibly lead to death.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, we all love our pets and we will love to feed them any food that is delicious to us. Doing this can cause severe damage to your pet’s health. You need to look out for this set of foods such as chocolate, salty foods, tuna, avocados and much more. Remember this book is not to be used as diagnostics for your pets. If you notice any symptoms, I strongly suggest you call a veterinarian as soon as possible.

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Karen MChancy

Written by

Hi! I’m Karen and a certified dog lover. As a freelance writer and blogger, I do my best to squeeze in some time with my dogs, my site: https://ihomepet.com/

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