Cats, just like dogs, cannot eat the same products that we humans can. 4urpets presents the foods that can kill a cat. At the slightest sign of intoxication, take your cat to your veterinarian; the consultation will be covered by your cat’s insurance. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn about some of the things you should avoid feeding your cats.
1. Avocado
The avocado contains tersin. This element is contained in the fruit, the leaves, the skin, and the stone of the avocado. It is extremely dangerous for the cat but also for the dog. Indeed even if the “persin” was discovered recently, it has anticancer properties for humans but can be fatal for a cat. The lethal dose is not yet known, so avoid any contact between the avocado and your cat. Symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory distress, congestion, fluid accumulation in the heart tissue, and even death.
2. Onions and garlic
Onions are a member of the Allium Cepa family and can be very toxic to cats and dogs. Cats can be poisoned by eating a large amount of onion at one time or by eating a small amount regularly. The toxicity is linked to the sulfur contained in the onion, which causes the destruction of red blood cells and thus stops the transport of oxygen in the blood.
The intoxication evolves over several days. It begins with a drop in energy and fatigue. The cat can present vomiting or diarrhea and breathing difficulties. But the most characteristic sign is the color of the urine, which is dark, even brown. Care should be taken with leeks, which are also members of the Allium family.
3. Chocolate
Chocolate contains an alkaloid that gives it its tonic virtues: theobromine. This molecule is close to caffeine and is not metabolized by most cats. Depending on the type of chocolate, the amount of theobromine varies. For example, dark baking chocolate is the most dangerous type, which contains nearly ten times more theobromine than regular milk chocolate.
4. Tea and coffee
Caffeine as a stimulant could accelerate a cat’s heart rate with all the catastrophic consequences one can imagine. Eight teaspoons of coffee can be enough to poison a cat.
5. Seeds
Apples, apricots, pears, grapes, cherries… the pits or seeds in these fruits are dangerous for cats because they contain cyanogenic glycoside, an agent that can poison animals. Do not let your cat play with the pits.
To conclude, after having seen which foods can kill a cat, we recommend you feed your cat with adapted foods (kibbles) and occasionally offer him special cat treats to be sure not to run any risk. If you have any doubts about the food your cat can tolerate or not, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian, who will be able to advise you.
6. The milk
There is no general contraindication to your cat taking cow’s milk. After weaning, cats no longer produce enough lactase to help digest the lactose in cow’s milk. Even if some cats don’t suffer from it, milk can cause digestive problems and allergies. Veterinarians recommend not exceeding 40ml per day if your cat likes cow’s milk and tolerates it.
On the other hand, some cats may be affected by milk protein allergies or lactose intolerance, which the cat cannot digest. In these cases, it is better not to give it to your cat. To detect allergy and intolerance, several signs can alert you:
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- Redness
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- Itching
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- Digestive problems
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- Diarrhea.
Concerning the kitten, let him suckle his mother without offering him cow’s milk as a complement.
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