What Foods Are Harmful to Cats?

Some cats like "people food," such as string beans, even though cats are pure carnivores in the wild. Small quantities of offbeat foods are usually harmless, but some foods can severely compromise a cat's nutrition and health or even be fatal.

  1. Chocolate

    • All chocolate contains methylxanthines in increasing amounts by color, with white chocolate having the least and baking chocolate the most. Mild reactions include vomiting and diarrhea, but it can cause seizures and death.

    Grapes, Raisins

    • The specific toxin that causes kidney failure has not yet been isolated by research, but cats who eat grapes and raisins have suffered kidney failure, and the reaction is even more extreme in dogs.

    Milk

    • Dairy products are not natural to a cat's diet, so many cats are lactose intolerant, lacking the enzymes to process the sugar in milk. Even though some cats have a taste for milk, it can cause gas, cramps, and diarrhea.

    Onions, Garlic, Chives

    • These seasonings used to be considered harmless and were used to flavor pet foods and treats, but new research has shown that they are responsible for damaging red blood cells and can lead to anemia.

    Raw Meat and Eggs

    • Raw meat and raw eggs carry salmonella and e.coli bacteria, and they sicken cats as well as humans, with diarrhea being a common side effect. Eggs also contain ayidin enzyme, which keeps them from absorbing biotin, a B vitamin needed for healthy skin and fur.

    Salt

    • As in people, excessive salt makes cats thirsty and urinate more, but it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death.