We’ve heard chocolate can be fatal to dogs… but what’s dangerous for cats?

by Alexander Somma via Flickr

You may be surprised to find out which common household foods can cause serious problems for your cat.

1. Onions and Garlic

   
   via Wikimedia Commons
   
   Potential Dangers: Onions and garlic contain a compound that is toxic to cats, and can cause serious health problems including difficulty breathing.

   Although these aren’t foods that cats generally crave, they are often inside the foods that your cats want to get a taste of. So, whenever you make a dish for dinner with onions or garlic in it, make sure to keep your cats from licking the plates.

2. Milk
   

   
   by Tambako the Jaguar via Flickr

   Potential Dangers: upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting

   Alternatives: Most pet stores sell a lactose-free milk that is safe for cats.

   That’s right, the treat cats are famous for loving is actually bad for them. To be specific, I’m referring to the cow’s milk you buy in the grocery store. Cats lack the enzyme that’s needed to break down the sugars in cow’s milk. My personal experience: I’ve given newborn kittens (abandoned by their mother) cow’s milk until I was able to get to the pet store to get the proper dairy substance (I did this before knowing about the potential milk dangers). Fortunately, I did not notice any harm from that limited amount.

3. Tuna
   

   
   via Wikimedia Commons

   Read more in Cats

   « Go Wild! The Exotic Hybrid Cat

   The Ultimate Cat Litter Review: Is Pine, Newspaper, Wheat, Clay, or Crystals Better? »

   Potential Dangers: Feeding cats tuna is the number one cause of some inflammatory conditions.

   Alternatives: Tuna-flavored cat foods/treats are perfectly safe

   Once again, another food that cats love that can be bad for them. Giving your cat tuna a handful of times over their lifetime shouldn’t pose a problem. But regularly feeding them tuna will cause your cat to have a diet that’s too high in unsaturated fatty acids.

4. Chocolate (including cocoa)
   

   
   by Rev Dan Catt via Flickr

   Potential Dangers: This could fatally poison your cat. Look for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination or seizures up to 36 hours after they’ve ingested it

   Just like you shouldn’t let a dog eat chocolate, nor should you let your cats anywhere near it. I’ve run into two occasions where I find my cats might get at chocolate: when I’ve got brownie batter left in a bowl, and when I have Hershey Kisses (they love batting them around as a toy, eventually getting them into their mouths).

5. Bones
   

   
   by ishane via Flickr

   Alternatives: Dry cat food is good for cats’ teeth.

   There’s a possibility that the bones will splinter, causing lacerations in a cat’s stomach. They can also get stuck in a cat’s throat.

   They may love them (and they’re great for their teeth), but cats should never eat bones.

6. Macadamia Nuts
   

   
   via Wikimedia Commons

   Potential Dangers: It contains a compound that is toxic for cats, and it can cause weakness or paralysis.

   This includes macadamia nut butter.

7. Raw Eggs
   

   
   by .Jennifer Leigh. via Flickr

   Potential Dangers: Loss of fur and/or skin problems

   This is dangerous because raw eggs have an enzyme that decreases the absorption of the vitamin biotin.

So feed your cats the regular cat food on a regular basis, preferably the dry cat food. I like to keep a few cans of wet cat food handy, that I’ll treat my pets to a few times a month. I less frequently give my cats the treats you buy in a pouch. Only one of my cats really finds these treats much of a treat.

by deeleea via Flickr