Have you ever caught your cat eyeing your plate and wondered if sharing a bite would hurt? While their curiosity is adorable, not all human foods are safe for your whiskered companion. In this article, we uncover 15 everyday foods that could pose serious risks to cats—and why you should think twice before sharing.
Chocolate
Chocolate might be a treat for humans, but it’s a serious threat to cats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to cats. Unlike humans, cats lack the enzymes needed to break down these compounds effectively. Even a small amount of chocolate can lead to severe health issues.
Theobromine overstimulates the nervous system and heart in cats. Their small bodies can’t process it quickly, allowing the toxin to build up to dangerous levels. This makes chocolate more harmful to cats than to dogs, which are already known to be at risk.
Green Tomatoes and Green Potatoes
These foods contain a bitter, toxic compound called glycoalkaloid solanine. Solanine can irritate the gastrointestinal system and lead to severe symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
The most toxic parts are the unripe green fruits, leaves, and stems, where solanine is most concentrated. Even a small amount can be harmful to cats due to their smaller size and sensitivity.
It’s worth noting that ripe tomatoes, commonly found in some pre-made pet foods, are safe for cats in small, controlled quantities. These products use non-toxic, ripe tomatoes in minimal amounts, so they don’t pose a risk.
Onions, Garlic, and Chives
Onions, garlic, and chives might add flavor to your meals, but they can spell disaster for your cat. These foods, part of the Allium family, contain compounds that damage a cat’s red blood cells, potentially leading to hemolytic anemia.
Allium plants contain thiosulfates, which cats cannot process. These compounds cause red blood cells to rupture, reducing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. The effects can occur even if the onion, garlic, or chives are raw, cooked, or powdered. A small amount eaten regularly or a single large exposure can lead to poisoning.
Avocado
Avocado contains a compound called persin, which is toxic to many animals, including cats. While cats are less sensitive to persin than some species, it can still cause digestive upset and other issues when consumed in large amounts.
The most dangerous parts of the avocado are the pit, skin, and leaves, where persin is most concentrated. However, even the flesh of the fruit, while less toxic, can cause mild stomach upset in cats due to its high-fat content, leading to issues like vomiting or diarrhea.
Additionally, the pit poses a choking hazard or risk of intestinal blockage if swallowed. To keep your cat safe, it’s best to keep avocado and its parts entirely out of reach.
Grapes (Raisins and Currants)
The toxic mechanism is not fully understood, but in dogs, even small amounts can cause severe issues like kidney failure. Since cats have a similar sensitivity to certain foods, it’s better to err on the side of caution and assume these fruits could pose similar risks to their health.
The ASPCA advises against giving grapes, raisins, or currants to pets in any amount, citing too many unknowns about their toxic potential. Even if a small bite doesn’t seem harmful, there’s no guarantee it’s safe.
Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts
Ever wondered if a tiny nibble of nuts is safe for your cat? When it comes to macadamia nuts and walnuts, the answer is a firm no. While the exact toxin isn’t fully understood, these nuts have been linked to serious health issues in pets.
In dogs, macadamia nuts are known to cause symptoms like weakness, vomiting, tremors, and fever—even in small amounts. While studies on cats are limited, their smaller size and unique metabolism mean they could be just as vulnerable to these effects. Walnuts, especially moldy ones, pose additional risks due to harmful fungi that can cause seizures or other neurological problems.
Seeds
Sharing snacks like seeds might seem harmless, but for cats, they can be a surprising source of danger. Seeds—whether from fruits like watermelon or snacks like sunflower seeds—pose several risks, from toxicity to choking hazards.
Cheese, Milk, and Related Dairy Items
It might seem natural to pour your cat a saucer of milk or let them nibble on cheese, but here’s the twist: most cats are lactose intolerant. Despite the stereotype of cats loving milk, their digestive systems aren’t designed to process the lactose found in dairy products.
When cats consume dairy, the lactose can ferment in their digestive system, leading to upset stomachs, diarrhea, or vomiting. While some cats may tolerate small amounts of dairy, most will experience discomfort—and it’s not worth the risk of dealing with a messy situation!
So, the next time your cat eyes your cheese plate, remember: their digestive health is happier without it. Stick to feline-friendly treats instead.
Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Energy Drinks)
Ever wondered if your cat would enjoy a sip of your morning coffee or a taste of iced tea? Think again. Caffeine, found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and even chocolate, is highly toxic to cats.
Cats are much smaller than humans and process substances differently. Even a small amount of caffeine can overstimulate their nervous system and heart. This can lead to symptoms like restlessness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, or even seizures. If left untreated, it can even be fatal.
Xylitol
Usually found in sugar-free gum and candy, Xylitol is another surprise danger for cats. This sweetener can cause a sudden increase in insulin levels in cats, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Symptoms can range from vomiting and lethargy to seizures or liver failure.
It’s important to keep your cat away from any products containing Xylitol and always check the ingredients list before giving them any human food.
Fat Trimmings, Raw Meat, Fish
It’s easy to assume that raw meat, fish, or fat trimmings are natural and safe for cats—after all, aren’t they born hunters? But feeding these can lead to unexpected health risks.
- Fat Trimmings: While it might seem harmless, too much fat (raw or cooked) can cause pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition that inflames the pancreas.
- Raw Meat and Fish: These carry the danger of bacterial contamination, such as Salmonella or E. coli, which can make your cat very sick. Raw fish also contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine (Vitamin B1), an essential nutrient. A deficiency in thiamine can lead to neurological issues, including seizures.
Though cats may be drawn to these foods, they’re not the safe, primal treats we might imagine. Ensuring their meals are balanced and properly cooked is the best way to keep them healthy and thriving.
Raw Eggs
You might wonder if a raw egg is a natural, protein-packed treat for your cat. After all, they’re a common ingredient in many homemade diets, right? But raw eggs come with hidden risks that outweigh any potential benefits.
Raw eggs can carry Salmonella or E. coli, dangerous bacteria that can make your cat seriously ill. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy—far from the energy boost you’d hope to give them.
Cooked Bones
It might seem natural to give your cat a cooked bone as a treat or a toy, but doing so could put them at serious risk. Cooked bones are brittle, and when chewed, they can splinter into sharp pieces. These fragments can cause serious injuries to your cat’s mouth, throat, or digestive tract.
Beyond the risk of splintering, cooked bones can also cause choking or lead to blockages in your cat’s intestines, which may require emergency surgery. Even the smallest piece can cause harm, making them an unnecessary and dangerous choice for curious cats.
Raw, Uncooked Bread Dough
Ever wonder if your cat can nibble on that blob of bread dough while you’re baking? Here’s why it’s a bad idea: raw, uncooked bread dough can expand and ferment in your cat’s stomach, leading to serious health risks.
When raw dough reaches your cat’s warm stomach, the yeast activates, causing the dough to rise. This expansion can stretch their stomach, causing painful bloating and even twisting of the stomach—a potentially life-threatening condition.
But that’s not all. As the yeast ferments, it produces alcohol as a byproduct. This can lead to alcohol poisoning, causing symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Seizures
Baby Food
It might seem harmless to offer your cat a spoonful of baby food, especially if they’re feeling unwell, but not all baby food is safe for felines. Many baby foods contain ingredients like onion powder or garlic, which are toxic to cats. Even in small amounts, these additives can damage red blood cells, leading to a serious condition called anemia.
Beyond harmful ingredients, baby food lacks the essential nutrients cats need for a balanced diet. While it may seem like an easy option, relying on baby food could leave your cat nutritionally deficient over time.