There are many cats that, even though they receive special food for them, are very tempted to ask for human food. Even though cats, through their style, can get almost everything they want, you should know that human foods are toxic to cats. That’s why it’s good to be very cautious when you’re tempted to give your cat some of your food.
Even though there are human foods that can be safely consumed by cats, it’s important to maintain a balance and avoid overconsumption. Human foods are not suitable for constituting the entire diet of cats and do not provide the proteins, fats, vitamins, and essential minerals for optimal health.
Cats are carnivorous animals, which means that their main food should be of animal origin. Foods containing preservatives, artificial food colorings, carbohydrates, and vegetables are not suitable for them, as cats do not have the digestive enzymes necessary to process them efficiently. Consuming these foods can cause serious problems in the digestive and nervous systems of cats.
Which human foods are toxic to cats?
A list of the most common human foods that are toxic to cats includes, but is not limited to:
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can cause intoxication, vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing difficulties, coma, and death in cats.
- Dough or yeast dough: Can expand in the stomach, leading to bloating, gastric-dilatation volvulus, and alcohol toxicity as yeast ferments.
- Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medications, caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and even death in cats.
- Onion: Contains compounds that can damage a cat’s red blood cells, leading to anemia and other health problems.
- Garlic: Similar to onions, garlic can also cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.
- Grapes and raisins: Can cause kidney failure in cats, even in small amounts.
- Raw fish: Contains enzymes that destroy thiamine, leading to a deficiency that can cause neurological problems.
- Raw meat and fatty trimmings: May contain bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, leading to food poisoning, gastrointestinal upset, and pancreatitis.
- Bones: Can splinter and cause obstructions or lacerations in the digestive tract.
- Raw eggs: Can contain Salmonella or lead to biotin deficiency, affecting a cat’s skin and coat.
- Milk: Many cats are lactose intolerant, leading to digestive upset like diarrhea and vomiting.
- Xylitol: Found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods, xylitol can cause insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia, seizures, liver failure, and death in cats.
- Nuts: Some nuts, like walnuts and macadamia nuts, contain toxins that can cause neurological symptoms and gastrointestinal upset in cats.
- Avocado: Contains persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
- Coconut water: High in potassium, which can upset a cat’s electrolyte balance and lead to hyperkalemia, causing heart problems and weakness.
In addition to recognizing the dangers posed by human foods that are toxic to cats, it’s imperative to steer clear of allowing your cat to indulge in excessive amounts of tuna or dog food. Although these may not directly pose hazards to cats, they lack the essential nutrients necessary for maintaining optimal feline health, thereby reinforcing the notion that human foods are toxic to cats.
Thus, it becomes paramount to furnish your cat with a well-balanced and tailored diet that caters to their specific nutritional requirements. This entails opting for high-quality cat food rich in animal proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients crucial for sustaining their health and vitality. By abstaining from human food and processed alternatives, you actively safeguard your cat’s longevity and overall well-being, acknowledging the inherent truth that human foods are toxic to cats.
Questions and Answers – Human Foods Toxic to Cats
Let’s delve a bit deeper into why some human foods are not suitable for consumption by cats.
Can cats eat chocolate?
No, cats should not consume any type of chocolate, whether it’s dark, white, milk, or unsweetened. The risk associated with consuming dark chocolate and baking chocolate is higher than that of milk or white chocolate. It’s crucial to recognize that human foods are toxic to cats.
All varieties of chocolate contain two main methylxanthines, theobromine, and caffeine, toxic substances that can cause dangerous cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), central nervous system dysfunction, and even death in cats. However, theobromine is found in higher concentrations in dark and unsweetened chocolate.
Even if your cat is tempted to taste chocolate, avoid indulging this craving, which can be extremely harmful to its health.
Can cats drink alcohol?
No, cats should never have access to alcohol, whether it’s wine, beer, or any other beverage consumed by humans. Alcohol consumption can cause a range of serious problems for cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, breathing difficulties, liver and brain damage, coma, and even death, depending on the amount consumed.
Alcohol poses a significant danger to cats because it is rapidly absorbed into the body, and even a small amount, such as a teaspoon, can cause severe damage or lead to the death of a cat. It’s important to keep all types of alcohol away from your cat, including beer, wine, and spirits. Also, be mindful of foods that may contain alcohol, such as vinegar, certain marinara sauces, rum-flavored cakes, wine-flavored cheeses, some types of Dijon mustard, liqueur-filled chocolates, and raw yeast dough.
As a responsible owner, you should never offer alcohol to your pet just for amusement or experimentation. If you suspect that your cat has consumed alcohol, immediately contact a veterinarian for assistance and appropriate advice. It’s essential to take alcohol poisoning in cats seriously.
Is coffee toxic to cats?
Yes, coffee is toxic to cats, specifically, the caffeine contained in coffee can be toxic to cats when consumed in significant amounts. Even though a few sips of coffee or tea may not pose an imminent danger to your cat, doses of 100-150 mg of caffeine per kilogram of the cat’s body weight can be lethal. Excessive consumption of beverages such as coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, and energy drinks can lead to caffeine intoxication in cats, manifested by symptoms such as agitation, restlessness, rapid breathing, palpitations, and muscle spasms. Additionally, caffeine is also found in significant amounts in chocolate.
A typical cup of brewed coffee contains around 80-135 mg of caffeine, while filtered coffee can have between 115-175 mg of caffeine in the same quantity. An espresso shot contains approximately 45-60 mg of caffeine. It is crucial to prevent your cat from accessing such beverages or foods containing caffeine, as this can have serious consequences for its health. Human foods are toxic to cats, and caffeine is no exception.
Is raw fish dangerous for cats?
Cats can consume raw fish, but it is advisable to avoid it due to the fact that human foods are toxic to cats. There are several reasons for this recommendation. First, raw fish may contain harmful bacteria such as Clostridium, E. coli (Escherichia coli), and Salmonella, which can cause long-term gastrointestinal problems in cats.
Second, most types of fish contain thiaminase, an enzyme that can degrade thiamine (vitamin B1) in your cat’s body. Cats cannot synthesize thiamine on their own, and the lack of this vitamin can lead to gastrointestinal disorders, loss of appetite, and neurological complications.
Therefore, raw fish can pose an unnecessary risk to your cat’s health. If you want to offer fish to your cat, it is safer to cook it first, avoiding the addition of artificial flavors, herbs, oils, or spices that could irritate the cat’s stomach.
There are a few types of fish that can be safely offered to cats, preferably cooked, including salmon, perch, Atlantic cod, eel, trout (sea, lake, and rainbow), flounder, pike, mackerel (Atlantic), shellfish, sea bass, pikeperch, and sole. However, it is important to note that most fish, including tuna, contain thiaminase and should be avoided.
Related: Is milk recommended for cats?
Of course, we are talking about cats raised in households where we can control their diet. In the wild, cats are skilled fishermen and often leap into water to catch fish.
In conclusion, many human foods are toxic to cats and can pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of these pets. It is essential to know and avoid foods and substances that can negatively affect them and ensure that we provide our cats with a proper diet to maintain their optimal health.
