Dangerous Foods for Dogs
Aren’t cats meant to catch, kill, and eat raw meat? Don’t they love milk, cheese and cream? Unfortunately, some common ‘human’ foods can cause gastrointestinal distress in cats – or can trigger a variety of other health problems. Learn more about the foods you shouldn’t feed your cat
“ Our cats are members of the family, our companions and confidants. And as their caretakers, it’s only natural for us to want to spoil them. But some foods and treats can pose serious risks to their health. Here are seven foods you should avoid feeding your cat.”
Milk, cheese and other dairy products
Many of us grew up with the image of kittens drinking milk or cream in cartoons or picture books. But in reality, cats and dairy products don’t mix. Most cats are naturally lactose intolerant, meaning that cow’s milk and dairy products made from it – like cheese or cream – can upset their stomachs, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.
raw fish & meat
If your cat loves hunting, you might assume it’s safe to feed them raw eggs, meat or fish – after all, what could be more natural than raw? However, these raw foods may contain dangerous E. coli and salmonella bacteria, which can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and lethargy in cats. Exposing your cat to these pathogens can even prove fatal.
Dog food
If you also have a dog, chances are your cat has sampled their food from time to time. But while an occasional nibble likely won’t harm your cat, a steady diet of dog food instead of cat food can cause malnutrition. Cats need vitamin A, taurine and arachidonic acid – all essential nutrients not provided in dog food. If your cat only eats dog food, they’re at risk for developing several conditions: A lack of vitamin A can cause skin issues,
Bread and yeast
Cats can safely eat bread on occasion, but note that bread contains no nutritional value for them (it has virtually no fat or protein), so it should not replace their normal cat food diet.
Yeast and raw bread dough are not safe for cats – after it’s eaten, the dough can rise in a cat’s stomach and cause dangerous digestive issues.
Tuna
What cat doesn’t enjoy tuna? This fish can serve as an occasional treat for your cat, but you should avoid feeding them a tuna-heavy diet. Tuna lacks several nutrients cats need to stay healthy, and too much tuna can lead to mercury poisoning. And, as noted above, you should never give your cat raw tuna.
Chocolate
Though most people find chocolate delicious, this cacao-based treat contains two ingredients that are toxic to cats: theobromine and caffeine. Both milk chocolate and dark chocolate can cause several dangerous symptoms, including: Vomiting Diarrhoea Increased body
Onions and garlic
Onions, garlic and other members of the allium family like chives and leeks can cause anaemia in cats. Whether raw, cooked, powdered or dehydrated, garlic and onions can damage a cat’s red blood cells, and can also cause nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Comments