Toxic foods for cats: what they are and why they should absolutely avoid these foods
We know what can be good for them, but we may not have a clear idea of what all the toxic cat foods are: better have a list on hand.
For our cat, even inedible things can become ‘edible’, but it is essential to understand which are the toxic foods for the cat among all those who ingest. While some objects can obstruct the airways, others can act on the feline’s body with their toxicity. And it is not said that what harms our four-legged friend also hurts us, on the contrary they are usually foods we consume: for this reason it is doubly important to keep them away from the cat at home.
Toxic foods for cats that are not ‘foods’
Anyone who has a cat at home knows it: he would be able to put everything in his mouth and, if the size of the object were too big for his mouth, he would still find a way to detach part of it and swallow it. It is really true that we must always keep our eyes open when it comes to our pets, so let’s see which are the toxic foods for the cat among the non-foods.
Medicines
If they are a cure-all for us, for the cat they could be poison: in particular the most toxic ones are based on paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin. Therefore, not only should we not keep them within reach of the cat, but we must absolutely not use them for the pain or discomfort of our cat.
Cleaning products and chemicals
At home we all have useful cleaning products, especially bleach-based ones that sanitize surfaces better. But when there is a cat nearby, not only should they keep them tightly closed in lockers but also not use those that could attract their sense of smell and tongue. In particular, phenolic products, permethrin and antifreeze must be avoided.
Plant
Beautiful and perfect for decorating balconies and interiors, but also very dangerous for the health of our cat. Some plants can in fact be highly toxic to its health; we are talking about: mistletoe, ivy, poinsettia and ivy.
Among the flowers forbidden to cats there are also: cyclamen, wisteria, lily and rhododendron. If we don’t want to give up their beauty, let’s see which are cat plants and flowers to grow safely at home.
Toxic foods for cats: foods to avoid
If we notice some symptoms of poisoning in the cat, it is likely that he has ingested (perhaps taking advantage of our distraction) some of these foods. It is essential to catch the first signs of when he is sick and immediately take him to the vet or the nearest veterinary emergency room.
Among the foods that we love most or that we usually consume but that the cat should not even ‘look at’ there are: chocolate, coffee and tea. Eggs should also be avoided, but the egg white is actually the most dangerous part, as it contains an enzyme that can cause salmonellosis in cats.
Among the highly toxic foods we also find: garlic, onion and shallot; to these are added: green tomatoes and potatoes (raw), due to an alkaloid often guilty of gastro-intestinal problems.
Grapes and raisins can damage the kidneys, while nuts and other dried fruit can be just as toxic. To these foods we must add sweets and all foods with too much sugar and some fruits such as apricots and avocado.
Foods that are not toxic to cats but which can still harm them
Meat for a carnivore like him cannot be missing in his diet, due to the proteins for cats: but if it is raw meat, it is better to avoid it as it could transmit worms and parasites that promote salmonellosis.
Meat fat can also be given sometimes but little and absolutely not always, as an excess could promote pancreatitis in cats. The same goes for milk: it is not good when it is a puppy, but when it grows up it may not digest it and cause frequent bouts of diarrhea.
Even the bread dough itself is not toxic, but by ‘leavening’ inside his stomach, it could cause him not a few breathing problems.
