What Food Is Not Good for Cats​? The No-No and So-So List

Can cats eat rice? What about shrimp or tuna? Is it okay to give them chocolate treats?

Ensuring your cat's health and well-being starts with proper nutrition. Unfortunately, not all pet parents know that some human foods can be toxic to their feline pals.

If you’re new to pet parenthood or have questions about what food is not good for cats​, you’re in the right place. This guide lists food items that felines should not eat, as well as those that they must only consume moderately to avoid harmful effects.

Alcohol

Topping the list of things that are toxic to cats is alcohol. Wine, beer, and even foods containing alcohol are not suitable for cats.

As with humans, alcohol has adverse effects on their brain and liver. However, it takes far less alcohol to cause harm to them. Even two teaspoons of whiskey is enough to put a five-pound feline in a coma—and three to kill it.

The higher the alcohol proof, the more severe the symptoms. If you think your cat accidentally consumed anything alcoholic, take them to the vet immediately.

Chocolate

Can cats have chocolate? The answer is a resounding ‘no’.

If you also have a dog, you’re probably already wary of this human treat.

Like dogs, kittens and adult cats cannot eat chocolate. This is because cacao seeds—the main ingredient in chocolates—contain theobromine and caffeine. These compounds known as methylxanthines occur naturally in many plants but are toxic to pets.

Chocolate poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms in cats, including:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Elevated temperature

• Rapid breathing

• Weakness

• Increased reflex response

• Muscle rigidity

• Seizures

Although kitties usually do not eat chocolates voluntarily, they may be coaxed into consuming them by people who don’t know the dangers of this human treat. If you or someone you know wants to win your pet’s affection, stick to cat treats instead.

To be safe, avoid all kinds of chocolate, even white ones, as they still contain traces of theobromine. If your feline friend consumes some, no matter how small, it is best to consult your vet.

Caffeine

As mentioned previously, caffeine is harmful to cats and dogs. In fact, large enough quantities can be fatal. What’s worse is that there is no cure for caffeine poisoning.

Caffeine poisoning can cause serious symptoms in pets, including:

• Rapid breathing

• Restlessness

• Heart palpitations

• Muscle tremors

Besides coffee and tea, caffeine can also be found in colas, energy drinks, painkillers, and cold medicine, so be sure to keep those away from your pet’s reach.

Grapes and Raisins

Wondering whether cats can eat grapes? Experts say these are harmful to kitties.

Although the reason remains unclear, vets advise against feeding felines raisins and grapes because they have been found to cause kidney failure in these pets. Even a small amount of these can make your cat ill.

Watch out for hyperactivity and vomiting as they are early signs that a cat has consumed grapes or raisins. Although not all cats experience adverse effects, it’s best to keep your cat from getting to these fruits altogether.

Dairy Products

Although milk is frequently shown as a treat for kittens in films and television, it’s important to know that dairy products are usually not a suitable part of a cat’s diet. This is because their digestive system cannot process such foods, which can cause diarrhoea and gastrointestinal pain.

Most cats only get exposed to lactose from their mother’s milk during their first few weeks of life. Because of this limited exposure, their digestive systems are not equipped to break down lactose. This is precisely why most cats become lactose intolerant as they mature.

So, can cats eat cheese? Well, most can’t. To be safe, avoid feeding your feline friend any dairy product, especially if you haven’t had them tested for lactose intolerance.

Onion, Garlic, and Chives

Never offer your cat anything that contains onion, garlic, or chives, or anything from the allium genus of edible plants.

Regardless of their form—powder, cooked, raw, or dried—ingredients from the onion family break down red blood cells and result in anaemia in cats. Even food containing small amounts of these ingredients can cause poisoning if consumed regularly.

Besides onion, garlic is also a big no-no for kitties. It is five times more potent than onion and can cause life-threatening symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain.

Xylitol

If you are fond of eating sugar-free foods and chewing gum, keep them away from your cat’s reach. These items contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can trigger a significant decrease in blood sugar levels in some pets.

To dogs, xylitol causes a severe blood sugar drop, leading to seizures, convulsions, liver failure, and even death. Although not as harmful to cats, it is still best to keep food items that contain this ingredient away from your feline pal.

Dog Food

While cat food and dog food contain many similar ingredients, they are not the same. There’s no harm in an occasional bite, but you must never substitute one for the other.

Cats have unique nutritional needs, particularly in terms of vitamins, protein, and fatty acids. If you feed them dog food regularly, your feline friend may experience severe malnourishment.

Citrus Fruits

Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits are rich in essential oils and citric acid that can cause health issues in cats.

Besides the fruit, stems, leaves, peels, and seeds must be kept away from your kitties. Otherwise, they may experience symptoms like an upset stomach, diarrhoea, vomiting, and even depression.

Raw Meat, Fish and Eggs

Never feed your feline friend raw eggs, meat, or fish.

Uncooked eggs contain an enzyme (avidin) that prevents cats from absorbing biotin, a vitamin crucial for skin and fur health.

However, the dangers of raw egg feeding are not just skin deep. These food items may also contain E. coli bacteria and salmonella, which can lead to food poisoning. The same goes for raw or undercooked fish and meat.

Foods Cats Can Eat in Moderation

Besides the no-nos, there are also some food items that cats must consume in moderation. These include:

Tuna

Tuna is okay to feed your cat occasionally, but be careful not to overdo it.

Whether packed for human consumption or specially made for felines, tuna can cause malnutrition since it is addictive to cats and doesn’t contain all the nutrients your feline friend needs. Moreover, too much tuna may lead to mercury poisoning.

To be safe, monitor the amount of tuna your cat consumes. Or better yet, switch to healthier fishes like salmon.

 

AATU Free Run Salmon Dry Cat Food 3kg

AED 200.81

 

Liver

Liver is another so-so food for cats that should never overeat. Too much can cause vitamin A toxicity, affecting your pet’s bone health. In more serious cases, it can even cause death.

Vitamin A toxicity is a condition that causes bone deformities, osteoporosis, and bone growth on the spine and elbows.

Like tuna, make sure you track how much liver your cat consumes. It’s better if they come in easy-to-control portions, like the one below:

Kiwi Kitchens Raw Freeze Dried Beef Liver Cat Treats 30g

AED 24

 

Have a Purrfectly Healthy Kitty

Now that you've opened your heart and home to a deserving feline friend, it’s time to ensure you’re giving them the best possible care. Follow this guide to ensure you don’t feed them foods poisonous to cats and moderate the so-so items meticulously.

Looking for premium, vet-approved cat food options? Explore the delicious and nutritious range at Pets’ Delight. Your kitty will thank you!