Prohibited or toxic foods for cats

If we have a feline at home, in addition to vaccinations, deworming and the space where it lives, we also have to take into account its diet to keep it strong, healthy and without intestinal problems.

By nature, cats are carnivores and excellent hunters, but this does not mean that they can eat everything. In fact, there are certain foods that they cannot process properly.

It is also important to note that even though we "humanize" our pets, they are not human beings and therefore should not eat our food, since they do not assimilate it the same way we do.

Here are some of the foods that cats cannot and/or should not eat.

Some vegetables

Onions and garlic are highly toxic foods for cats, since the thiosulfate in these foods could destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. This group also includes leeks and chives.

Among the vegetables, raw potatoes contain a substance known as solanine, which is bitter and very toxic (both for cats and humans). The tomato also contains solanine, although here, the main toxic component for our feline companions is the tomatin.

Vegetables themselves are difficult for cats to digest, as they have a very short intestinal tract. So, we must avoid these foods.

Some fruits

Citrus fruits such as lemon, orange or grapefruit can cause stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. As well as grapes or raisins can affect your kidney if consumed in large quantities, or physical and stomach discomfort in small quantities.

In addition, avocado should also be avoided, as it contains a substance called persin that is toxic and is also a very fatty food for our pet.

Chocolate or dairy

Chocolate has a substance called theobromine that cats take a long time to digest. With its ingestion they can become intoxicated and cause vomiting, diarrhea, systemic failures or ulcers. In addition, it can affect their nervous system.

Theobromine is also found in coffee and tea.

On the other hand, cats, like many humans, begin to develop lactose intolerance as they grow older. Milk can therefore cause stomach problems and should be avoided. Even so, if the cat is small, there is milk especially for kittens or infants or, in the absence of such, it is better to use lactose-free milk.

Meat and fish

Within this section we would highlight sausages, not because they are toxic, but because they contain a lot of salt and fats and are very heavy for the organism of our michis.

Raw meat or fish can be very dangerous because they can be in bad condition, or even have the Anisakis parasite, which can only be eliminated by cooking or freezing the food. In addition, raw meat can cause salmonella poisoning and raw fish can have parasites (thiaminase).

As well as the bones have to be taken into account because they can splinter and cause an injury in the digestive tract, in addition to causing gastrointestinal disorders.

Other substances

Other foods such as nuts are discouraged, either salted or unsalted, as they may develop kidney failure, vomiting or other digestive problems.

It seems obvious but a cat should not be given any alcohol, or any kind of stimulant, as it may suffer disorientation, urinary incontinence, drowsiness or develop aggressive behavior.

Raw eggs, all kinds of sweets, foods with a lot of salt or canine food are also forbidden, since they do not contain the nutrients that felines need and can cause deficits or health problems.

Conclusion

Even if we think that our cat is an all-rounder and we want to give him our food, it may contain too much salt or it may be too fatty for his delicate organism. Therefore, it is better, and having as much variety as we have in supermarkets and pet specialty stores, that we buy food specifically for cats.