Cat Food Hazards

With the holiday season coming up it's tempting to spoil our pets with food from our plates. However, there are many foods that can cause your cat or dog to get seriously ill. It's always important to be careful what we feed them and just as important that we remind our friends and family.

There are many common foods that we love to eat but when given to our pet it can cause serious health problems. A common misconception is that food is the only hazard to our pets; however, there are many plants that can be just as hazardous.

Cat owners should be cautious of the following foods:

Raw Eggs:

Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw Fish:

Eating raw fish can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Onions, Garlic, & Related Root Vegetables:

Onions contain a substance (N-propyl disulphide) which destroys red blood cells in the cat, causing a form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. Garlic contains a similar substance in a lesser amount. Tomatoes, Green (raw Potatoes) these foods are members of the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms.

Chocolate/Caffeine:

It's becoming more widely known that chocolate is very toxic to both cats and dogs. Theobromine is the offending substance here. Caffeine and other stimulants, including theobromine (found in chocolate), can poison cats. Do not feed your cat these "people foods" or leave them out where the cat could reach them. It is wise to just feed cats a commercially prepared cat food and never feed them foods meant for humans, especially "sweets."

Grapes and Raisins:

These foods' toxicity has only recently been discovered, and although the only studies have been with dogs, it is also believed that these fruits may also affect cats adversely.

Milk*:

Although milk is not toxic to cats, it may have adverse effects. Simply put, adult cats fed a nutritious diet don't need milk, and many cats are lactose-intolerant, which means that the lactose in milk and milk products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. If your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream may be okay, two or three times a week.

*(The more fat in the milk, the less lactose.)

Mushrooms:

Mushrooms can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Dog Food:

If accidental ingestion will not cause a problem; if fed repeatedly, may result in malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources:

These bones can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

As mentioned before there are many plants that be harmful to cats. Plants such as Poinsettias (large red, white, pink, or mottled leaves, they contain milky irritant sap). can cause problems such as vomiting, anorexia and depression. Although the symptoms are generally self-limiting and treatment is rare it is important to keep your pet away from this plant. In the event that your cat does digest part of a Poinsettia you should take your cat to the vet. Your vet may recommend limiting food and water intake for 1 or 2 hours. Another plant that is harmful to your cat is Lilies, in particular Easter Lilies, Tiger Lilies, Japanese Show Lilies, Rubrum Lilies, Lily Hybrids, and Day Lilies. These plants have been known to cause kidney failure in pets and should be kept in an area where your pet can not reach them. For a partial list of other plants that are harmful to your cat please see below.