Dishing out your dinner leftovers to your feline friend? Beware! Some human foods are not just unhealthy for cats, they could be fatally toxic. We've curated a list of the worst culprits - prepare to be surprised!
Dishing out your dinner leftovers to your feline friend? Beware! Some human foods are not just unhealthy for cats, they could be fatally toxic. We've curated a list of the worst culprits - prepare to be surprised!
This might surprise you, but despite the stereotype, cats don't actually do well with cow's milk. Once weaned off their mother's milk, many kittens lose the ability to break down lactose. This means that a saucer of milk may lead to abdominal upset and diarrhea for your feline friend. Though, the odd cat may 'be lactose tolerant', think of your future self-saving up on scooping sessions in the litter box, and opt to fill up Whiskers' bowl with water instead.
Oh, you thought this was exclusive to humans? Think again! Secondhand smoke takes second place on the list with good reason. Cats, being the fastidious cleaners they are, lick themselves spotless regularly, ingesting harmful carcinogens that cling to their fur. The result? Increased risks of mouth and lung cancers. Perhaps, consider quitting altogether, not just for your health, but for Princess Fluffy's sake too!
We might not expect it, but leaving raw dough within your curious cat's reach could spell disaster for its belly. The dough can expand inside their stomach causing discomfort and even leading to life-threatening emergencies. Trust me, you don’t want to see a cat with a bloated belly, it's all fun and games until you realize the potential danger lurking underneath. So seal that bread dough up, throw it in the fridge, protect that kitty!
You know those mornings when you'd sell your soul for a cup of coffee? Yeah, Mittens doesn’t. The caffeine in coffee – much like chocolate, tea, and some soft drinks – can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, tremors, and even life-threatening seizures in cats. Simply put, it's a purrfect storm of disaster. Unless you plan on having a hyperactive jittery feline running about, keep that Cup of Joe well out of paw’s reach!
We may sometimes joke about needing a drink after a long day but spare a thought for Tabby. Alcohol and cats don't mix. In fact, it can be extremely toxic to cats, affecting their liver and brain just as it affects you, but much more severely. Even the smallest amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors, and even death. So, reserve your favorite drink for a night out – or in – but without your cat!
Would you be shocked if I said that you should NOT feed your pet cat raw meat? Well, consider yourself shocked. Raw meat, or a raw food diet, can expose your pet to parasites and harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli, which not only jeopardize their health but also yours. Cats may be descendants of fierce, wild hunters, but they've come a long way from their ancestors, trading in the Savannah for a cushioned windowsill view. Let them enjoy their fully cooked meals, they’re not as wild as they’d like you to believe!
Well, it's safe to say that if vampires ever had plans of sinking their teeth into Fluffy, they're out of luck. The reality is, cats are the ones that need protection from these common kitchen staples. Garlic, onions, leeks, and chives, whether cooked or raw, can cause anemia in cats by damaging their red blood cells, and this condition can be fatal if not treated promptly. Leave the Italian cuisine for humans and keep the garlic knots and onion rings out of paw’s reach.
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide on what not to feed your cat, even if they look at you with those big pleading eyes. Remember, while it's hard to resist their purrs and adorable faces, it's always better to stick with veterinarian-approved diets and make sure your cat, as curious as they may be, doesn’t get their paws on any harmful human food. A purrfectly healthy cat is indeed a happy cat!
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.