Foods You Should Not Feed Your Cat

Lunch box with food with a rice cat

Some food that we eat can not good for cats. Even if dogs can eat that food, it can be dangerous for cats health due to different nutritional needs and different metabolism. From mild digestive upsets to severe illness, and even death in some cases, we should be aware of food that a cat should not eat.

Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) says that the list of foods you can never feed your cat is shorter than we used to think. A quick reference list of what not to feed with includes:

Chocolate, garlic, onions, grapes, berries, raisins, milk, excessive starchy food, too much boneless meat, too much vegetables, small bones, vitamin mineral supplements.

Also

• Alcoholic beverages
  Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.
• Baby food
  Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to cats fed baby food for an extended period of time. If fed in large amounts, can also result in nutritional deficiencies.
• Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources
  Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
• Canned tuna (for human consumption)
  Large amounts can cause malnutrition, since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
• Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine
  Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and be toxic to the heart and nervous system.
• Dog food
  If accidental ingestion, will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.
• Fat trimmings
  Can cause pancreatitis.
• Fish (raw, canned or cooked)
  If fed exclusively or in high amounts can result in a vitamin B deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
• Grapes, raisins and currants
  Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.
• Macadamia nuts
  Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.
• Milk and other dairy products
  Some adult cats may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products.
• Mushrooms
  Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.
• Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder)
  Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
• Persimmons
  Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.
• Raw eggs
  Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of a vitamin B, which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may contain Salmonella.
• Raw meat
  May contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Rhubarb leaves
  Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.
• Salt
  If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
• Sugary foods
  Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.
• Tobacco
  Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.
• Yeast dough
  Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

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