| Human foods for cats can be deadly in a few cases, | | | | Coffee grounds or beans: |
| and very dangerous in several others, depending on | | | | Even coffee grounds can produce caffeine toxicity in |
| what they eat. There is a misconception that cats | | | | your cat. The symptoms are very similar to |
| are very picky, and while some may be, they will still | | | | chocolate and just as threatening. |
| eat most of what you give them. | | | | Avocados: |
| Be very careful in feeding your cat table scraps as it | | | | Most cats will be attracted to the smell of avocados. |
| can literally kill them. Human foods are much too rich | | | | There is a toxic substance to cats in avocadoes |
| for your feline. | | | | called persin. It is a fatty acid and by its nature will |
| If you do suspect something serious and you have | | | | attack cats. The symptoms to watch for if |
| made a terrible mistake and your pet may be | | | | avocadoes have been ingested will be a difficulty in |
| poisoned or in serious trouble, the National Animal | | | | breathing, fluid buildups in the stomach as well as the |
| Poison Center's toll free number is 888-252-7387. | | | | chest. These symptoms can also cause the build up |
| Cats have a very unique set of nutritional | | | | fluid around the sac of the heart which is very |
| requirements and feeding them table scraps could | | | | threatening. |
| very easy throw off the balance, placing them in a | | | | Dangerous Foods: |
| dangerous to deadly situation. Cats must have | | | | Raw Eggs; |
| protein, fat, Vitamin A and C, Niacin, arcachidonic acid, | | | | Cooked eggs are not dangerous, but raw eggs |
| and amino acids to remain healthy. | | | | contain a protein called avidin which can deplete the |
| Arcachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid in your | | | | biotin in your cat's body. It can also cause hair loss, |
| cat's chemical balance and plays a large role in | | | | dermatitis, and can retard growth in kittens. |
| converting fat to energy, but your cat can not | | | | Onions: |
| produce it. Therefore it must be in the food they | | | | Cooked or uncooked, it makes no difference. Even |
| eat, and the major source of this fatty acid will be | | | | very small amounts of an onion can be toxic and can |
| from animal fat. | | | | cause anemia as the result of the destruction of red |
| Another essential is arginine, an amino acid that they | | | | blood cells. Symptoms to watch for will be blood in |
| also can not produce. This amino acid is essential in | | | | the urine, rapid heart beats, and a pale mucous |
| the elimination of protein waste and even the | | | | membrane. |
| slightest deficiency of it can place your cat at risk. | | | | Garlic and Leeks: |
| It is also essential in the production of ornithine which | | | | Garlic may have wonderful benefits for us, but even |
| binds ammonia produced from the breakdown of the | | | | in the smallest amount it is toxic in cats. Both garlic |
| protein. If this is not in their diet, the ammonia levels | | | | and leeks will have the same effects on your cat |
| could soar out of control and kill your cat. | | | | that onions have. |
| Deadly Foods: | | | | Raw Fish: |
| Alcohol: | | | | There is an enzyme found in raw fish that destroys |
| Alcohol and alcoholic beverages can cause excitement | | | | thiamin, called thiaminase. A thiamin deficiency in cats |
| in your cat that leads to slowed respiratory rates, | | | | is very serious and can cause a loss in weight, |
| cardiac arrest, and even death. Alcohol, even in the | | | | stupors, or loss of motor controls. If left untreated, it |
| smallest amounts is extremely toxic to your cat. Be | | | | can even lead to convulsions and comas in cats. |
| very cautious with alcohol, especially mixed drinks | | | | Liver: |
| that may smell very inviting to your cat. | | | | In very small amounts, liver is very good for your |
| Chocolate: | | | | cat. However, it is very high in Vitamin A, and too |
| All pet owners have heard about chocolate toxicity in | | | | much liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. A toxic level |
| dogs, but it is even more dangerous for cats, simply | | | | of Vitamin A affects your cat's bones and can cause |
| because they are much smaller. Theobromine, | | | | deformities or excessive bone growth in the joints. |
| especially strong in baking chocolates is poisonous to | | | | Tuna: |
| your cat. Cats are not especially fond of the smell of | | | | Most cats love tuna, and small amounts or flavoring is |
| chocolate as a rule, but they are still curious, and | | | | good for your cat. But be very careful about red |
| children thinking it is a treat, may actually be poisoning | | | | tuna, especially in canned cat food. Too much red |
| them. | | | | tuna could cause mercury poisoning as well as yellow |
| Chocolate will immediately diminish or cut off the | | | | fat disease. If your cat starts to exhibit signs of |
| blood flow to the brain and can cause instant heart | | | | pains in their chests or stomach or has hard painful |
| attacks or a litany of other medical conditions. | | | | lumps, it most likely is yellow disease. In some breeds |
| Dangerous to Potentially Deadly Foods | | | | of cats this could also cause Rippling Skin Disease. |
| Bones: | | | | Preventing your cat from the dangerous human |
| Your cat is not a dog and they should never be fed | | | | foods is critical, but your cat also needs other |
| bones; it is not a treat, but it is a potential death | | | | essentials in their diets. Niacin is essential that must be |
| warrant. Small bones are especially dangerous as they | | | | supplemented or found in your cat's food, as they |
| can splinter and cut the inside of your cats mouth or | | | | can not produce it like dogs can. Also, your cat can |
| throat, or even more serious, get stuck and choke | | | | not produce Taurine, an amino acid, and it needs to |
| your pet to death. They can also cause cuts and | | | | be supplemented as well. |
| lacerations inside of the stomach and digestive | | | | Cats cannot utilize fats reserves effectively, and as a |
| systems. | | | | result will breakdown protein, or non fatty body |
| The symptoms that your cat may be choking will be | | | | tissues, to feed their body. Human foods for cats are |
| gums that suddenly turn pale or bluish in color, | | | | deadly and not meant for cats. Keep your cats on |
| rasping, and pawing at their face. They can't breath. | | | | high protein, high fat diets, and do not feed them |
| Make certain your cat does not get any bones. | | | | table scraps. |