Most of us think cats are fond of milk and preying on mice. Well, why shouldn’t we? Our childhood cartoons remind us of cats stealing fish, drinking milk from the bowl, right? But wait. Do you know a cat can not eat most human foods?
So, what can cats eat? And what can cats not eat? Dairy products, raw eggs, or dog foods are poisonous to cats. On the other hand, a cat really enjoys fish, chicken, and sometimes whole grains.
If you are interested to know about a cat’s food habit, then read this article to the end. You will get everything you need.
Whats Food Cats Never Eat?
There are a number of foods that are poisonous to your feline. If your cat eats any of those items, it will suffer from vomiting or diarrhea. In this section, I will discuss all those foods.
10. Grapes and raisins
I know most people use grapes and raisins as a treat for the kitties. But this is not right. Why? It is because grapes and raisins can cause feline kidney failure and some more severe conditions.
Even a little amount of grapes can make your pet sick. Continuous vomiting and hyperactivity show that the cat is suffering from kidney disease. In an experiment, the scientists concluded that some cats do not fall ill even after eating grapes or raisins. But you should not take risks, right?
Keep the grapes and raisins out of the cat’s sight. If there is any grape on the countertop, the pet will probably eat them. So, stay alert.
What fruits can cats eat? Cats are not a big fan of fruits. If you really want, go for the banana, apple, cantaloupe, etc.
9. Dog food
Cats are curious by nature. You will find them smelling or licking things around. If you are raising a cat and a dog in the same house, there is a chance that the feline has tasted dog food.
One or two bites from the dog’s food won’t do the feline any harm. But if you choose to feed both the same diet, then it is a problem. The cat will suffer from malnutrition if you feed it the dog food. The feline requires taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid, which are unavailable in a dog’s food.
So, what is the long term situation if a cat continues eating dog food? The pet cat will suffer from liver and kidney problems due to the lack of arachidonic acid. Vitamin A deficiency will cause various skin issues, dull fur, night blindness, and muscular degeneration. Without enough taurine, the cat suffers from lethargy. Also, the feline will have a weak eye vision, unhealthy skin, and probably heart diseases.
8. Bones and fat trimmings
I have seen people feeding bones to cats. Let me let you one thing. This is very dangerous because the cat can choke on the bone. Also, the bone splinters can cut the cat’s digestive system or cause an obstruction inside.
On the other hand, the fat trimmings or fat in any shape can upset the feline’s tummy. It will vomit continuously and suffer from diarrhea.
7. Milk and dairy products
Cats drinking milk is the most common scene in the cartoon. But in reality, the cats are lactose intolerant. It means drinking milk or eating anything that includes milk will upset the cat’s tummy. The feline will vomit if you feed it milk or dairy products.
Many of you can ask what about the kittens. A kitten can not eat solid foods right after they are born. So, they can drink their mother’s milk. But if this is not available, go for the kitten specific milk. In any case, avoid cow milk.
Can cats eat cheese? I hope now you know the answer.
6. Chives, onion, garlic, leek
Anything from the allium family, in all forms, powdered, dehydrated, raw, or cooked can break down the cat’s red blood cell. Damaging of the red blood cell can cause anemia. Your cat will suffer from nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
If your cat eats onion on a regular basis, it will end up getting onion poisoning. Also, if a feline eats a large amount of onion or garlic, it can be life-threatening.
5. Chocolate
What can cats not eat? Chocolate will be one of them. I know chocolates are delicious, but the two ingredients of chocolate, caffeine, and theobromine are poisonous to felines. Also, some chocolates contain milk which is dangerous for cats.
If your cat eats chocolates, it will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. You will notice the body temperature and heart rate of the kitty is increasing. Heart failure can happen if a cat gets much exposure to chocolates.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol is not good for both humans and cats. Beer, whisky, rum, or any other alcohol can affect a cat’s brain and liver. You will be surprised to know that only 2 tablespoons of whisky can get your cat into a coma.
3. Raw eggs, meat, fish
Boiled eggs, meat, and fish are good for your kitty. But when it comes to raw ones, this can make your cat sick. The feline can get food poisoning from the E. coli bacteria, or the rare protein avidin can mess with the vitamin B absorption of the cat. This will lead to skin and coat problems.
Can cats eat tuna? As an occasional treat, yes. But try avoiding feeding it daily. Tuna does not contain all the essential nutrients. So, a cat can not be healthy eating tuna daily.
2. Bread and yeast
Eating baked bread occasionally is not harmful to cats. But if the cat accidentally eats raw bread with yeast, it can cause severe digestive problems. The yeast will cause the bread rise and it will stretch the cat’s abdominal.
1. Liver
A small amount of liver is okay. But feeding the liver every day can cause toxicity to the cat. This deforms the feline’s bones or overall growth. Sometimes, this can lead the cat to death.
What can cats not eat? I have discussed the top 10 foods that can make your pet sick. Try avoiding these items and feed the cat a healthy diet.
