What Foods are Toxic to a Cat?

Many cat owners prepare food for their feline friends. Some owners feed their cats table scraps and other so-called treats. This is often done in the name of love, but it is not necessarily healthy for your cat. Certain foods contain poisonous substances, and these toxins can kill your cat.

  1. Grapes and Raisins

    • Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that damages your cat's kidneys. The toxin has not yet been identified.

    Onions and Garlic

    • Cats ingesting onions or garlic can suffer from anemia. Whether raw, cooked or powdered, the disulfides and sulfoxides within the vegetables damage red blood cells.

    Liver

    • Given in large amounts, liver causes vitamin A toxicity, damaging feline bones and muscles.

    Raw Fish

    • Eating raw fish causes a vitamin B (thiamin) deficiency in cats, which leads to diminished appetite, seizures and possibly death.

    Mushrooms

    • Mushrooms have certain toxins that can affect several feline body systems. As a result, a cat may experience shock and possibly death.

    Raw Eggs

    • Feeding raw eggs to a cat is risky due to potential salmonella exposure. Enzymes in the eggs also decrease vitamin B absorption (biotin), leading to hair and skin conditions.