If you have a cat, it’s important to learn which foods it shouldn’t eat. Even one bite of the wrong thing can cause serious issues in your furry friend.
Cats aren’t humans, so they can’t eat the same foods you can. If you’re a cat owner, it’s important to learn what foods are off-limits for felines. For example, cats should not be left alone with drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine. These ingredients can be highly toxic to cats. The same can be said for chocolate, dairy products, grapes, raisins, raw dough, raw eggs, raw meat, onions, and garlic. Although dog food isn’t toxic to cats, you shouldn’t feed your feline a diet designed for a canine. Our cat sitters know this, which is why we’ll make sure we only feed your cat the food it should be eating when taking care of it.
We’re here to take care of your beloved kitty when you can’t. To learn more about the dedicated cat sitters at Critter Sitters, call us today at (404) 793-6178.
Foods to Never Feed to Your Cat
While it’s understandable to let your feline nibble on dropped crumbs or lick plates and bowls while you load the dishwasher, it’s important to know what it’s putting into its little stomach. That means sometimes saying no to your furry friend, especially when it comes to certain human foods. To make things easier for you, our caring cat sitters at Critter Sitters have put together a list of foods you should never feed your cat.
Alcohol
This one goes without saying, but the cat sitters at Critter Sitters will say it anyway, for good measure: don’t give your cat alcohol. With even just one sip of an alcoholic beverage, a cat can get alcohol poisoning. Any type of alcoholic drink can be incredibly toxic to your feline, so be sure to keep any alcoholic beverage out of reach at all times.
Caffeine
Curling up with a warm cup of coffee or tea might seem idyllic to any cat owner with a particularly energetic feline. While a caffeinated beverage might give you the burst of energy your need to take on the day, it can be dangerous to your cat if consumed. Drinking caffeinated coffee, soda, or tea can cause increased blood pressure in cats. Caffeinated drinks might also cause gastrointestinal issues and seizures in your furry friend. So, if you have a kitten, our cat sitters at Critter Sitters urge you never to leave your mug of coffee unattended.
Chocolate
While humans like to partake in a nibble or two of cocoa as a snack or dessert, they shouldn’t invite their cats to join them. Chocolate is infamously poisonous to dogs, but it is also extremely unsafe for cats. Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart issues in cats when ingested. The higher percentage of cacao, the more dangerous it is for your cat.
Dairy Products
Many cats can’t properly digest milk. So, those classic images of kittens lapping milk out of saucers should not be replicated. Because many cats don’t have the necessary enzymes in their intestines to digest lactose, they are essentially lactose-intolerant. So, avoid giving your cat all dairy products. That includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. Dairy products will only cause a mess you’ll have to clean up.
Dog Food
While not toxic to cats, dog food won’t give your feline the nutrients it needs to thrive. Thinking that your cat and dog can eat the same type of food may leave your cat deficient in key nutrients. So, be sure to buy your cat its own food with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Grapes and Raisins
Although it’s not necessarily clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. This can be confusing for cat owners since grapes are a fruit, not a human-made product that could contain harmful chemicals. Yet, for some reason or another, grapes and raisins are a no-go for your furry friend. Even small amounts can be very dangerous, so don’t leave any of these foods out on the counter.
Raw Dough
If you’re a baking fanatic, keep your cat out of the kitchen. Raw dough, especially dough containing yeast, can be incredibly dangerous to cats if consumed. The uncooked yeast in raw dough can actually cause fermentation in the stomach, potentially leading to bloating and serious gastrointestinal problems in cats. While eating raw dough might only cause discomfort in humans, it can be toxic to felines.
Raw Eggs and Meat
There’s a popular misconception that domesticated animals like cats can eat raw eggs and meat without risk. While your kitty might share some DNA with a lion, it’s not classified as a wild animal. Cats are not immune from illnesses from raw meat and eggs, like salmonella and E. coli. Don’t leave raw meat on the counter while you’re cooking and be sure to throw away cracked eggshells. Eating these foods isn’t safe for humans and it isn’t safe for cats, either.
Onions and Garlic
Concentrated amounts of onion and garlic can be toxic to cats. That means you shouldn’t leave onion powder or minced garlic on the counter while you’re cooking, especially if your cat likes to join you at the stove. That goes for any food in the onion family, like shallots and scallions. These foods can attack your kitty’s red blood cells, leading to anemia and other medical issues. Even a few bites of a discarded onion or clove of garlic might cause lethargy and weakness. Because of that, it’s important to keep a careful eye on these ingredients while cooking.
Call Our Cat Sitters Today
When you need help caring for your furry friend, we can be there. To learn more about the dedicated cat sitters at Critter Sitters, call us today at (404) 793-6178.
