What foods and plants are dangerous for cats

A lot of foods may be poisonous for cats in the same manner as for dogs. But there are some, which are bad only for our cat friends.

garlic and onion

Cause the disintegration of red blood cells and anaemia. However, almost no cat would eat them voluntarily. But you have to pay attention even to the foods that contain these vegetables, for example, powdered food. Of course that the amount is also important...

raw potatoes and rhubarb

Contain oxalates that damage the digestive and nervous system and the kidneys.

mushrooms

May contain toxins that affect the body systems and may affect body systems and may cause shock that leads even to death.

chocolate and cocoa

Chocolate may be toxic even for cats. It contains caffeine and theobromine, which is excreted slowly from the organism and which can poison them. Theobromine affects mainly the regulation of the heart rhythm and it may even cause death. The most dangerous chocolate is the bitter chocolate and baking chocolate. Of course, it also depends on the amount and even if the scientists don’t agree in this statement, to be sure, pick chocolate goodies intended for pets that don’t contain this substance.

caffeine – coffee, black tea, coke, energetic beverages

High concentration of caffeine leads to disruptions of the heart rhythm. Caffeine increases the amount of calcium within the heart muscle and this may cause spasms.

alcohol

One small beer, a small glass of wine or a small shot of hard alcohol contains enough ethanol for them to cause deadly poisoning in an averagely sized cat. Watch out even for various chemicals or disinfectants with alcohol content, intoxication is a threat even by absorption through skin, but mainly after licking.

cow milk

A lot of cats are not able to digest lactose. The cat then suffers from diarrhoea and loses weight. So even though we imagine a cat by a bowel of milk, it is not the most suitable nutrition.

raised dough

Upon raising, gas is produced that painfully inflates the stomach and the intestine, and it may cause them to burst.

Macadamia nuts

They are as dangerous for cats, as they are for dogs. They contain a yet-to-be-discovered toxin that damages the digestive and nervous system and muscles.

raw fish and sea food as the only food

Lead to the insufficiency of vitamin B1, which causes lack of appetite, nervous attacks and in the worst case, even death. This is naturally true also for the case, when the cat won’t get to any other nutrition.

raw eggs

Mainly the white of an egg contains an enzyme, which lowers the ability to absorb vitamin B. This can lead to damage to skin and fur. Besides, the animal can also get infected with Salmonella or the E. coli bacteria. All the more, eggs may even be a strong allergen for both cats and dogs, that’s why it is better to avoid them entirely. However, many premium pet foods contain them, so do read the contents carefully upon purchasing.

raw meat

There is a threat of infection with toxoplasmosis, intestine parasites or bacteria that cause diarrhoea illnesses (Salmonella, E. coli). Feeding only with meat can also lead to an imbalance in nutrients. If we want to let the cat have raw meat from time to time, we can freeze it beforehand for 72 hours. This will kill most of the pathogenic germs. However, despite of that, regular deworming should be a matter of course.

tobacco

After eating, it causes increased heart rate because of nicotine, along with restlessness, collapse, coma and even death.

Apart from foods, we should also beware of medicine. In no case should we administer medicine intended for humans without consulting a veterinarian, since a lot of them are dangerous for animals. For example, medicine that contains

acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Acylpyrin, ...)
paracetamol (Paralen, Panadol, Coldrex, …)
ibuprofen (Ibalgin, Ibuprofen, Nurofen, …)
antihistamines (Fenistil, Zodac, Analergin, Zyrtec, …)
pyrethrins and permethrins, carbamates (Advantix, Top Spot On, Kiltix, Bio Kill, …) – these substances commonly appear in anti-parasite products for dogs. For cats, however, they are highly toxic!
 
A number of common indoor plants is also toxic for cats. We have all for sure already lived through a farewell with a plant because of our cat. Apart from one palm tree and herbs, I have nothing left at home. And not only because of my incapability to keep them alive, but even because I am afraid not to buy any, that are actually poisonous for cats. Therefore, you will for sure welcome a list of at least some of the plants that are toxic for cats: