It’s not uncommon for people to feed their cats a wide variety of foods that they find lying around the house, especially if there are leftovers that nobody wants. They also have a propensity to eat food that wasn’t intended for them, which is a problem. In most cases, this isn’t a major concern, and your cat won’t suffer any long-term effects from consuming little amounts of most foods, so don’t worry about it. People, on the other hand, frequently ignore the fact that cats and humans have quite distinct metabolic processes. Because of this, several foods that are suitable for human consumption may pose a significant health risk when consumed by cats. You run the risk of them developing health problems or passing away as a direct consequence of the food you provide them.
In all possibilities, most of us ought to be paying a great deal more attention than we do to the food that our cats consume. There are a lot of foods on this list that you might consider normal for cats to consume, or maybe there are even foods that you already give your cat. Think about the possibility that, even though your cat appears to be in good health, there may be underlying problems that you are unaware of or long-term health repercussions that won’t become apparent until much later. Most of the time and for most cats, the healthiest choice for their diet will be the usual cat food and treats.
Dairy Products and Milk
Milk is generally considered to be safe for consumption by cats; nevertheless, some adult cats are lactose intolerant, which means that consumption of any dairy product may result in diarrhea. This problem is not particularly enjoyable for the cat, and it can be a nightmare for whoever is responsible for cleaning it up. It is possible to get around this problem by purchasing a product comparable to milk and formulated especially for cats from various retailers, including grocery stores and businesses that sell pets.
You’ve certainly seen cats drinking milk before, especially in television shows, but once they’ve been weaned off of their mother’s milk, they might not be able to digest it the way it’s supposed to. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down the proteins and carbohydrates in milk. As long as cats continue to consume milk, lactase will be present in their bodies. If cats stop drinking milk for an extended period and then start drinking it again, their bodies won’t have enough lactase to properly digest the milk proteins and sugars, which might cause diarrhea.
Milk is known to cause cats to have loose stools due to the presence of sugars that are difficult for cats to digest. If this problem is not handled, it may result in a loss of weight. After approximately 10 weeks of age, both kittens and adult cats just require fresh water and food that is complete and balanced. Milk is not a suitable alternative to either cat food or water for feeding your pet.
Tuna or Other Fish in Cans
Fish, much like milk, is commonly regarded as a nutritious and reasonably usual source of nutrition for cats. The most significant issue is that fish is not a well-balanced food for cats, and it does not provide sufficient amounts of the necessary vitamins and minerals. Cats can develop vitamin deficiencies if they only eat fish or if they get a lot of it as their primary source of food.
Thiamine deficiency is one of these deficiencies, and it can lead to seizures, a loss of appetite, and even death in severe circumstances. In a similar vein, excessive consumption of some fish, particularly tuna, can lead to mercury poisoning. Tuna is particularly rich in mercury content. This holds for cats in the same way that it does for people. Because of this problem, you do not have to stop feeding your catfish altogether; nevertheless, it is recommended that you make fish a special treat for them rather than a regular part of their diet.
Raw Eggs
Eggs that have been fully cooked are safe for cats to consume, even though raw eggs contain a significant amount of protein and amino acids. Salmonella is a bacteria that can be found in raw eggs. This bacteria can cause severe symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and other dangerous side effects. Consuming raw eggs regularly can lead to a shortage of biotin, which in turn can cause skin inflammation, hair loss, and stunted growth in cats. Raw eggs also inhibit cats from absorbing biotin.
Garlic, Onions, and Chives
The consumption of onion in any form, whether it be powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated, can cause a cat to develop anemia due to the destruction of red blood cells. Even the onion powder that is contained in certain infant meals falls within this category. Onion poisoning can be caused by consuming a large quantity all at once or eating smaller amounts on a more frequent basis. In addition to onions, garlic, which is five times as strong as onions, and chives each has the potential to cause significant issues with one’s health and even pose a threat to one’s life.
Dog Food
The consumption of dog food over an extended period can lead to a variety of health problems, even though the meal itself does not pose any danger. This is because dogs and cats have very distinct nutritional requirements, and dog food is purpose-built to cater to the requirements of canines alone. Because of this, cats do not obtain the full complement of nutrients that they require from dog food. It’s possible that this could be a factor in the development of disorders that affect the heart in some people.
Raw Meat
Carnivorous by nature, cats get the majority of their nourishment from meat; but, if they only eat meat, they run the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. In recent years, there has been a rise in the popularity of raw diets; nevertheless, as is the case with other raw foods, it is better to refrain from feeding your cat raw meat. In addition to the dangers it poses for your cat, handling raw meat can put you at risk of contracting a foodborne illness caused by germs such as Salmonella or E. Coli.
Baby Food
Baby food, just like dog food, is frequently utilized in place of cat food in homes with cats. Because it is not designed to meet the requirements of cats, there is a possibility that it could lead to nutritional deficiencies as well as the development of diseases. In addition to that, infant food frequently has powdered onion in it. This can be harmful to cats if they consume the baby food for an extended length of time.
Bones
If you do choose to offer your cat a nicely prepared meal, such as fish or chicken, be sure to remove any bones from the flesh beforehand. These are very little bones, but they have the potential to inflict considerable damage if they become caught in your cat’s mouth or throat. If a cat can ingest a little bone, it may cause a hole to form in either her intestines or her esophagus, which could result in the need for extensive surgery.
Chocolate
Chocolate presents a particularly serious risk to dogs, but it can also be hazardous to cats. This is especially true for older cats. The problematic component of chocolate is a substance known as theobromine, which may be found in all types of chocolate, including white chocolate.
Chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause tremors, convulsions, and even death in some cases. The one positive thing to take away from this is that cats will not voluntarily choose to consume chocolate on their own. However, their owners will sometimes try to convince them to eat it, even if they may be unaware of the risks linked with chocolate consumption for their pets.
Additional Supplements
Supplements should not be required for healthy cats who consume a diet that is both comprehensive and balanced. However, your veterinarian may suggest a supplement to assist in the treatment of a particular condition. To avoid vitamin poisoning, it is essential to follow the directions on the supplement packaging as well as the suggestions provided by your veterinarian.
Mushrooms
Another ingredient that should be avoided because it contains compounds that are poisonous to cats is mushrooms. Mushrooms should be avoided since they contain these compounds. These poisons have the potential to adversely damage a wide variety of the body’s systems and even cause death. You probably won’t purposefully give your cat mushrooms, but many human dishes include mushrooms as an ingredient, so you should be aware of the possibility that they could get into their system.
Grapes, Raisins, and Currants
There is a toxin that can cause kidney damage in cats that is found in the skin of grapes and currants. This fact might sound unusual, but it’s true. Grapes and currants both contain this toxin. In all candor, there is no plausible justification for you to be giving your cat fruit in the first place, let alone feeding it fruit that is toxic to cats.
Processed Food
In the same way, as they are for humans, cats should avoid eating processed meals whenever possible. These foods typically have a high calorie and salt content, and some of them may also have a high sugar content. As a result of eating an excessive amount of sugary food, cats run the risk of becoming obese, developing dental problems, and even developing diabetes.
Consuming an excessive amount of salt can also contribute to electrolyte imbalances, which is another salt issue. However, prepared food may also contain additional substances that are hazardous to a cat’s health. For instance, xylitol can be found in certain types of confectionery and gum. This can cause a cat’s insulin levels to rise, which in turn causes a reduction in the cat’s blood sugar level. This condition, in turn, can lead to failure of the liver as well as seizures.
Liver
It’s easy to think of the liver as a tasty treat for cats, and in moderation, this is true. Toxic levels of vitamin A can be caused by consuming an excessive amount of liver. Your cat may experience abnormal bone growth and bone deformities as a result of this condition, which affects the bones. It has been known to result in death in some circumstances.
Caffeine
Because of their smaller body size and faster metabolism, cats are more likely to experience a more pronounced reaction to the stimulant effects of caffeine than humans. Caffeine poisoning can be fatal for cats, and there is now no cure for this condition. Unrest, rapid breathing, and convulsions are some of the signs that your cat may be experiencing if they’ve had too much coffee. You should also be aware that caffeine can be found in unexpected places, which is why you need to keep a close eye on anything your cat eats that was not developed with cats in mind especially. Caffeine can be toxic to cats.
Human Medicine
Medicine intended for humans should not be given to cats since it frequently results in unwanted adverse consequences. After all, your cat is much smaller than you are, which means that any adverse effects from medicine are likely to be much more evident in your feline friend. This indicates that you should never give a cat medication meant for humans, regardless of the symptoms it may be exhibiting. In a similar vein, it is essential to store medications in a location that a cat cannot get into, just in case an emergency arises.
Table Scraps and Leftovers
Leftovers from humans and table scraps both have the potential to contain at least one of the food items listed above, which presents a dilemma. Even if they do not, human leftovers are not going to provide all of the nutrients that a cat need, therefore it is not a good idea to give them to a cat.
They may be safe enough to be consumed on occasion, but you should not make them a regular component of your cat’s diet. Leftovers from humans, on the other hand, can easily lead to cats being overweight or obese. This is because leftovers typically contain additional calories in addition to the calories that are already present in the cat’s regular diet.
Conclusion
You are aware that the items listed above are not good for your cat to consume, but that does not imply she will never do so. You may accidentally drop some milk, and she’ll clean it up before you do. Consuming any of the aforementioned foods on an accident or irregular basis is not likely to result in significant health issues. She may have some stomach trouble, so keep an eye out for any signs of distress and get in touch with your doctor if they continue.
If you suspect that your cat has consumed a bone, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so that they may examine her and determine the appropriate course of treatment. Keep in mind that petting your cat is perfectly acceptable. Just make sure that the foods you give her to eat are healthy for her, that she consumes a comprehensive and balanced diet, and that she has plenty of fresh water to drink each day.