
By Elsa Smith
Although cats are picky eaters, sometimes they like to hang around people and share some titbits. Many cat owners also find it hard to turn away the begging eyes and cuteness. But before you give her that morsel, remember that some foods could be unsafe for your cat. You need to be aware of five foods your cat should avoid. And if you must have a snack together, read on, and learn about healthy foods your cat will enjoy just as much as you.
Chocolate
Chocolate is irresistible to humans, but it contains a complex compound known as theobromine. Theobromine is toxic to your cat. If your cat ingests a significant quantity, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
Yes, there are healthy alternatives. First of all, get rid of the idea that your cat could have a sweet tooth. Find out which meaty treat, like chicken or turkey, is her favorite and serve it instead of chocolate. Remember to give treats only when your cat deserves it.
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins are popular ingredients in Christmas desserts like puddings and fruit cake. But they can be harmful to cats. If your cat ingests these foods, she may lose appetite, have abdominal pains, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your cat may also become lethargic.
Although not all cats will experience adverse effects after ingesting grapes and raisins, it is not worth taking the risk.
If your cat likes fruit, chop up some apples for her or even give her a raspberry as a treat. They are rich in calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Or prepare some cantaloupe for her (a favorite for cats due to its meaty scent).
Turkey bones
If you have plans for turkey, you can be sure that your cat will want to share the dinner table with you. But avoid sharing scraps of meat and bones with her. It could be dangerous.
Turkey's bones are hollow and brittle. Your cat could swallow a piece, and it could choke her. Worse still, a splintered bone could wreak havoc in her throat and digestive canal.
If your cat fancies chewing on bones, look for special dental cat food and chews that will entertain your cat and clean her teeth.
The perfect Christmas turkey must have stuffing and is often accompanied by gravy. Stuffing and gravy contain garlic, onions, and other herbs which could be toxic to cats. They can cause anemia, panting, vomiting, and lethargy.
Are you looking for healthy vegetables for your cat? Consider a little cucumber or steamed broccoli in their favorite meaty meal.
Alcohol
No loving cat parent would deliberately serve alcohol to their fur babies. But your cat could inadvertently have a few sips. Cocktails containing creams like White Russians and eggnog are popular around Christmas, and they are a magnet for cats.
If you leave the concoctions unattended, she could take a sip or two or lick the entire bowl clean.
Cats are vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol. Even small quantities can adversely affect your cat. Significant intake of alcohol could be fatal.
If your cat fancies a drink, give her some bone and meat broth or some kitten milk formula.
Christmas tree needles
Maybe it’s not human food, but cats need greenery, and guess what happens when you have a Christmas tree around? According to Christmas tree experts at Fantastic, most species found on the market have oils that could be toxic to cats. If your furry friend eats too many needles, that will probably cause harsh mouth and stomach conditions of heavy comfort which could lead to inflammation, unless you take action to stop that.
Avoiding festive foods for cats, a final word
We fancy the above foods during the festive season. But they could be toxic to our beloved cats. Taking them out of the diet list does not mean you can share other festive foods. The food could be safe for your cat but high in calories. Too much food could be unhealthy for the cat.
We suggest you desist from sharing any human food with your cat, especially during the festive season. Also, store the food and handle scraps carefully.