Some of our feline friends ask and plead for human food, particularly when they see you eating. However, although it’s understandable wanting to share a nibble with your cat, it’s important to know what foods are harmful to cats, since numerous popular human food varieties are poisonous to our cats. 

We think cats know what’s best for them when it’s time to eat because they’re such fussy eaters. However, just because they’ll avoid a piece of rotten meat doesn’t mean they’ll avoid a raw fish, and that piece of fish, on the other hand, can be just as dangerous. In fact, some of the typical items your cats should never consume.

Below are the 5 common human foods that are poisonous to cats:

1. Milk and Other Dairy Products

What could possibly go wrong with offering your feline a saucer of milk or a piece of cheddar? Since most of the cats are lactose intolerant and can’t process dairy products appropriately, it can result in digestive upset with diarrhea. The safest way is to avoid feeding your cat dairy products, but you can ask your vet whether a lactose–free alternative is an acceptable treat. 

The cream is usually safe as it is low in lactose, so give Fluffy a little whipped cream, Sugar-free of course!

2. Alcoholic Beverages

Whiskey, wine, beer, or any alcoholic drink is not suitable for your cats because liquor has a similar impact on a cat’s liver and brain that it has on people. But it takes undeniably less to do its harm. Only two teaspoons of whiskey can cause a coma in a 5 – pound cat and another teaspoon could kill it. The higher the alcohol content, the worse the symptoms. 

3. Chocolate & Caffeine

Just like chocolates, coffee contains methylxanthines caffeine and theobromine. And in large enough amounts, it can be fatal for a feline. Indications of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, quick breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle quakes. 

4. Raw Eggs, Raw Meat, and Fish

The reason why raw eggs are harmful is that there is a high chance of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or e–coli. Additionally, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which interferes with the absorption of biotin that’s important for your cat’s coat. Raw meat and raw fish, similar to raw eggs, can contain bacteria that could cause food contamination. What’s more, an enzyme found in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is a fundamental B nutrient for your cat. An absence of thiamine can possibly cause genuine neurological issues and lead to seizures.

5. Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins, even in little amounts, can make your cat sick and potentially lead to kidney failure. Vomiting might happen as soon as 12 hours after consumption. Lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, decreased urine, and abdominal pain is some of the other symptoms that may appear within 24 hours.

How do you keep your cat/cats from consuming hazardous foods?

The type of food your cat eats determines her life and well-being. You can help her stay healthy by keeping dangerous and hazardous foods out of her reach and ensuring she eats a well-balanced diet. 

Unfortunately, cat food makers have yet to create cat food that is completely safe and nutritious for your cat. The good news is that by cooking home-cooked cat food, you can always serve your feline buddy safe, and healthy meals fresh from the table.

Here are some simple ways to keep your cat from consuming harmful or hazardous foods:

• Keep meals out of reach of your cat. For a curious kitty, installing cat-proof locks on cabinets may be important.
• Allowing your cat to sit on the counter while you cook or eat is not a good idea.
• Feeding her table scraps is not a good idea.
• During the holidays, it’s especially vital to be more mindful. There’s probably more tempting human food around, many of which can upset your cat’s stomach or even harm her.

What are the most common cat poisons?

Cats not only get poisoned through their food intake, but it can also be many things around the house. You should also keep a list of the common toxins you have at home that is dangerous for your cat.

Paint, glue, and cleaning chemicals are frequently put out, assuming that pets will not ingest these unpleasant-tasting items.

However, some pets may drink liquids simply because they taste good or have an unusual texture. Household items can contain hazardous chemicals, and some household glues expand in the stomach, resulting in a potentially fatal obstruction.

Household items

• Paint
• Glue
• Cleaning items (bleach, etc)
• Hair treatments

Insecticides

Pets can be poisoned by ant baits, bug sprays, and foggers. To ensure the correct use of these goods, read the labels and keep cats & dogs away from them during and after usage. All insecticides should be kept on high shelves out of reach of pets.

Rodenticides

Pets are especially vulnerable to rodenticides because they may be enticed to consume the tempting bricks, granules, or pellets left out for mice and rats. Internal bleeding, elevated calcium levels, brain enlargement, or toxic gas production are all ways rodenticides kill them. To avoid your pet from eating your neighbors’ rodenticides, never leave rat bait out where your pet may get it, and keep your pet limited to your yard.

Pets and garden products

Many lawns, garden, and flower bed items can cause poisoning in pets. Pets are attracted to bone or blood meal fertilizers, which can cause pancreatitis or clump in the bowels or stomach, resulting in a blockage. Toxic chemicals may also be present in other fertilizers and herbicides used on lawns.

What are the signs of a cat being poisoned?

Poisoning Symptoms in cats vary greatly depending on what they’ve consumed, breathed, or come into contact with. Some toxins have an almost immediate effect, while others take many days to show symptoms. 

In the table below, we’ve listed some of the most common symptoms, but keep in mind that this isn’t an exhaustive list, and some of these could suggest problems other than poisoning.

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Drooling
4. Breathing problems
5. Weakness or lethargy
6. Appetite loss.
7. The thirst that is excessive
8. Vomit, saliva, or stools with blood
9. Gums that are pale