Top 10 Dangerous Human Food

Every cat owner knows that your darling fur babies often wonder what your food tastes like. Some food is fine to share with our fur-tastic friends but others are very toxic and potentially life threatening. 

Please Note - No blog or online resource should ever substitute for advice from a licensed veterinarian. Your Vet knows your pets health better than any online resource.

1. Garlic & Onions (raw,cooked,dehydrated and powdered)

2. Raw Eggs/Chicken

3. Raw Fish

4. Alcohol

5. Yeast Dough

6. Green tomatoes and potatoes

7. Chocolate

8. Milk

9. Caffeine

10. Xylitol

scroll down for more information on each

#1. GARLIC AND ONIONS

Not only raw Garlic and Onions, but cooked, dehydrated and powdered. Garlic and onions can poison your cat by breaking down his red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, lethargy, weight loss and gastrointestinal problems. Cats should NEVER eat anything with onions or garlic.

2. RAW EGGS & CHICKEN

For the same reasons we humans don’t eat raw chicken & eggs, your cat shouldn’t eat them as well. Eating raw eggs & chicken can lead to salmonella poisoning. The  symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. But that’s not the only reason why you shouldn’t feed your cat raw eggs. Uncooked eggs contain enzymes which can decrease the absorption of a B vitamin called biotin. This can cause some hair coat and skin problems to your cat. 

3. RAW FISH

Many cats love fish, but it is unsafe to feed your cat raw fish. It can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats or even poisoning because of the bacteria that raw fish carries. It can also destroy a vitamin that’s essential to cats: thiamine. When this vitamin is missing, it can cause neurological problems in your cat. It can also lead to loss of appetite, seizures and death.

4. ALCOHOL

Alcohol seems like a no brainer but unfortunately, some people don't know. Cats do not have the ability to break alcohol down, and with their small bodies even a small amount of alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning which can lead to death. They don't understand the risk behind drinking alcohol, that's why you must protect them by keeping all alcohol away from your cat(s)

5. YEAST DOUGH

If you’ve ever made your own bread or pizza dough, you know that the dough needs to rise. If your cat eats the dough, it will rise in his stomach. This is really not a good thing. It will expand in his stomach which will cause him pain, stretch his stomach and could even result in the rupture of the stomach and intestines. Not only will the dough stretch in your cat’s stomach, but when it is fermenting, the yeast releases alcohol. Like you read in the previous point, alcohol is also very dangerous for cats. It is very important to call your vet as soon as possible when you see your cat has ingested yeast dough.

6. GREEN TOMATOES OR POTATOES

Green tomatoes and potatoes contain very toxic alkaloids and which can lead to lower gastrointestinal problems. Some pet foods contain tomatoes, but they are in very small quantity and are ripe, so they don’t represent a problem.

7. CHOCOLATE

This is a more common people’s food you maybe know shouldn’t be given to pets. But why can’t you give this sweet food to your cat ? There is a toxic substance in chocolate called theobromine in chocolate. Chocolate toxicity can lead to tremors, irregular heart rhythm, seizures and death. All types of chocolate are dangerous for your cat. Even white chocolate. But the worst type is baking chocolate. After that, dark chocolate. Then milk chocolate, and the less dangerous one is white chocolate.

8. MILK PRODUCTS

Cats and a saucer of milk go hand in hand, right? Not exactly. For kittens, it can be ok to give them milk, but for adult cats, it’s not a good idea. Adult cats are lactose intolerant. They have a difficult time processing dairy products since they don’t have a sufficient amount of the lactase enzyme which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in an upset stomach and diarrhea. If you really want to give milk to your cat, you can buy at your local pet store lactose-free milk. This way, your kitty can have its milk without the downsides.

9. CAFFEINE

Caffeine found in coffee, tea, chocolate, colas and even cold medicines can be very dangerous for your feline friend. A small dose of caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors and heart palpitations. A large amount of caffeine can be fatal and lead to death.

10. XYLITOL

Xylitol can be found in many products: gum, candy, toothpaste, diet foods and baked foods. If your cat ingests xylitol, it can lead to liver failure. Xylitol will increase your cat’s insulin levels which will lower his sugar levels. The first signs of xylitol intoxication are vomiting, loss of coordination and lethargy. The symptoms can increase to a seizure and eventually resulting liver failure.