11 Foods That Will Kill Your Cat

Cats are the best, aren't they? Even if you're allergic, you often find yourself fighting the urge to pet them. Cats are super cute and come with a whole lot of personality. So naturally, you'd want them to live a long healthy life. For this, you need to pay extra attention to what they're eating. Here, we will talk about human foods that are toxic to cats.

No. 1 Chocolate

Chocolate contains a toxic agent that causes seizures or irregular heartbeat, and tremors. Any kind of chocolate is harmful to them. About 20 milligrams of chocolate per kilogram of your cat's weight can give off mild symptoms, and with 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, your furry feline will experience severe symptoms. 

No. 2 Avocado

Avocados are very healthy but only for humans. The entire fruit with its leaves and bark is toxic to your cat because it can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Although it seems easy to keep your cat away from the avocado, what about guacamole? Many cat parents have found their kitten sneaking guacamole from the table. So next time, please be sure you are keeping the Nacho plate away from your cat. 

No. 3 Green Tomatoes

Green tomatoes can be dangerous for your cat. The good news is that cats are highly unlikely to eat raw green tomatoes as they dislike the texture and taste but still look out for them. Most cat experts feel ripe red tomatoes are safe, but the raw ones contain a bitter poisonous alkaloid that can make your cat very sick. It causes violent gastrointestinal issues, meaning you'll need to take them to a vet immediately. But don't worry if you see tomatoes written on any cat food. 

No. 4 Grapes and raisins

The Animal Poison Control Center advises against giving your cat anything made with grapes and raisins. It does not yet know what makes them dangerous for pets, but the consensus is that you should avoid them at all costs. There have been several cases where they've caused kidney failure in pets, so it's best not to put your cat in such dangerous situations. If your cat ate a piece or two, keep a close watch. If you see any sign of discomfort, rush them to the vet.

No. 5 Onion

Lots of human foods contain onion in one form or another. The bad news is that they can give your kitty anemia. Onions contain a chemical that destroys your cat's red blood cells. It's called Heinz body anemia. Your cat can develop onion poisoning by eating a large amount of it at once or eating small quantities of it regularly. If you give your cat homemade food, pay attention to the labels of everything you're putting into it. It's not just about adding raw onions as an ingredient. Onions can be present in cooked, dehydrated, or powdered form, and all of them are bad for your cat. This is why you can't trust baby food brands either. Many of them contain onion powder. 

No. 6 Garlic

Just like onions, garlic can do plenty of harm. Giving it to your cat can make them develop anemia. This is because garlic contains dye sulfide and thiosulfate, most of which make your cat's red blood cells very fragile. This damages them to the extent that the red blood cells burst. Garlic is more concentrated than onions, so that it can do more damage. Even if as little as one tiny clove of garlic is given to the cat, you need to be aware of that and take them to the vet. 

No. 7 Sugar-free Foods

Any human food that is labeled sugar-free should never be given to your cat. That's because several human foods contain xylitol. This is a sweetener that can injure your cat's liver. Baked goods, candies, and even some toothpaste brands contain xylitol. It also lowers your cat's blood sugar to dangerous levels.

No. 8 Caffeine

Any caffeine-heavy product is dangerous for your cat. The terrifying part is that there is no anecdote for caffeine poisoning. Never give your cat drinks like tea or coffee. Even cola and other stimulant drinks are a big no. Caffeine poisoning can cause muscle tremors, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, and restlessness in your kitty.

No. 9 Dog food

If you have both dogs and cats, you may have seen them trying to sneak into each other's bowls. Just don't let it become a habit. Dog food isn't toxic for your cat, but it does contain ingredients specifically tailored to a dog. Some of them are harmful to your cat. Besides this, dog food would not meet their specific nutritional needs. For example, cats need more protein and fatty acids. Therefore, substituting cat food with dog food will make your cat severely malnourished.

No. 10 Alcohol

All types of alcohol are toxic for cats and should never be given to them. It can destroy your cat's central nervous system, making them drowsy and uncoordinated. This eventually leads to loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, and death. Be very careful when hosting parties where you'll be serving alcohol, and do not leave alcohol containers or punch bowls open all night. Clean up the counter before you go to sleep. Cats are curious by nature, and you never know what interests them when you are sleeping.

No. 11 Yeast Dough

Yeast will expand in your kitty's abdomen and cause severe pain. As if this wasn't enough, yeast will also make alcohol a byproduct that can cause alcohol poisoning. So better look out for your cat when you're baking. Keep them busy with treats and toys, set the raw dough aside in corners and cabinets where your kitty can't reach.

So above is the list of human foods that are toxic to cats. 

Let's do a quick recap: Chocolate, Avocado, Green tomatoes, Grapes & raisins, Onion, Garlic, Sugar-free foods, Caffeine, Dog food, Alcohol, Yeast dough. 

So next time, please be extra mindful of what you give your kittens to eat.