Most cats are fed kibble or processed food. Though they are very popular choices of food for cats, your kitties would do much better and be healthier with natural, fresh foods. However, there are many fresh foods that may be harmful to your pets.
The foods below can be dangerous to your cats if ingested. They should be avoided and put away in places that cannot be reached by your curious furry friends.
Milk and dairy – though cats are often attracted to certain dairy products especially milk, most cats are lactose intolerant and would get sick if they consumed these dairy products.
Milk
image by Petro Moura Pinheiro
Chocolate, Coffee & Tea - They are toxic to cats and can cause severe diarrhea and other digestive tract problems. In some cases, chocolate can induce coma or even death. Caffeine can cause the body to dehydrate, raise heart rate and may even affect the nervous system.
Chocolate
image by Sifu Renka
Coffee
image by miscpix
Tea
image by dragonflysky
Tomatoes (esp. green tomatoes) - tomatoes can cause many gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and upset stomach and pain.
Green Tomatoes
image by Auntie P
Green Potatoes - raw potatoes contain a poisonous alkaloid that can induce violent gastrointestinal problems.
Potatoes
image by Dr. Hemmert
Grapes and Raisins - these are toxic to cats even with a small amount. They can cause kidney damage. If you have food that contains either grapes or raisins, they should be kept away from your cats.
Grapes
image by Guillaume Brialon
Raisins
image by mag3737
Chicken bones – these can cause obstructions in the digestive tract which may require surgery to remove. Also, they can get stuck inside them and cause laceration.
Chicken Bones
image by Quasimime
Apricot, cherry, peach pits, almond nuts, apple seeds – They contain cyanogenic glycosides which can impede the ability of the blood to release oxygen to the tissues. The cat may suffocate as a result.
Cherry
Image by atomicshark
Apricot
Image by .m for matthijs
Peach Pit
Image by pkingDesign
Almond nuts
Image by mynameisharsha
Apple Seeds
Image by bored-now
Avocado - Avocado is toxic to most domestic animals because of persin which is found in this fruit. It is best to keep it away from cats. .
Avocado
Image by sean dreilinger
Macadamia nuts – They are known to cause muscle weakness and tremors in dogs and it is best to be avoided from cats.
Macadamia nuts
Image by jessicafm
Citrus - It may cause vomiting if ingested.
Citrus
Image by gcardinal
Alcohol - This is an absolute taboo to cats. Alcohol can cause an array of health issues such as intoxication, respiratory distress, gastrointestinal problems, coma and even death.
Alcohol
Image by Aubrey Arenas
Cat image via fofurasfelinas
This is a useful collection; I’m sure many cat owners are unaware of many of these issues.
When I first got my cats, i used have a list like this stuck on my fridge.
But the funny thing is, if something’s poisonous to them, my cats won’t even look at it. It’s like they know they are not supposed to eat them.
But I am still cautious about what I leave on the kitchen counter.
thanks! this is very useful. good thing my kitty avoids the things that are bad for her.