Although our feline royal highness has their own specific food to eat, let’s be honest, we all want to give them a human treat once in awhile. So to ensure that we are not endangering our little companions, we need to make sure we know what’s safe and what’s not safe to share with our kitty.
Safe
- Cooked meat
- Cooked fish
- Cooked Eggs
- Whole Grains (rice)
- Vegetables
Not Safe
Onion/Garlic
Onion and garlic in any form – cooked, raw, powdered etc – can break down your cat’s red blood cells and lead to anaemia. Small quantities would not cause problems but if onion is ingested in large quantities or regularly, you should consult your veterinarian.
Dairy products
It may come as a surprise to you but cats are actually generally lactose intolerant. Consuming any dairy products from milk, cheese and cream can result in diarrhoea, vomiting or an upset stomach. It’s best to keep the cream for your coffee and not for your cat!
Chocolate
Theobromine, a chemical found in chocolate, is lethal to cats. Although we can inhale a chocolate bar in mere seconds, our furry friends can’t break it down in their little stomachs. Consuming even a small portion of chocolate can trigger heart problems, muscle tremors, or seizures and in severe cases – death.
Grapes/Raisins
This one is tricky because the chemical that makes cats ill from consuming these fruits is still unknown. Kitties eating raisins or grapes have suffered sudden kidney failure, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy. Best to keep them away!
Nuts
The high fat content in nuts is dangerous for felines. Consuming large quantities can result in diarrhoea and vomiting. In serious cases, it leads to pancreatitis, developing into kidney failure. Although one peanut won’t harm your cat, it’s best to avoid them altogether!
Food containing alcohol, caffeine or Xylitol
Consumption of Xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in gum/lollies) can cause liver damage, dizziness, vomiting and if not treated immediately – death. Caffeine causes increased heart rate, seizures, hyperactivity, whilst Alcohol causes low blood pressure, vomiting and death, if not treated immediately. To sum it up, stay away or get ready to head to the nearest vet!
As you can see, there are more foods that we cannot give to our cats (sadly). Moderation is the absolute key to giving your cat treats, so be careful when deciding which human treat to share!
