Though chocolate is a scrumptious treat for humans, it is actually poisonous for both cats and dogs!
It can be hard to resist giving your cat a taste of your food when they are staring at you with those bright, cute eyes. We sometimes feel bad that our cats eat the same kibble every day, but a lot of human foods actually aren’t good for your feline friend. Here are some of the foods that are dangerous for your cat.
Milk & Dairy Products
This may come as a shock because it is a common myth that cats should drink milk. While your feline friend will probably like milk, it may not be good for her. Kittens have a hard time digesting lactose after they stop drinking their mother’s milk. For this reason, drinking milk or consuming dairy products can upset your cat’s stomach.
Grapes & Raisins
Though the reason is unknown, even a small amount of grapes or raisins can make your cat really sick. Within a day of eating them, they may begin to vomit, develop diarrhea, lose their appetite, and have abdominal pain. Grapes and raisins can even cause kidney failure in some cats.
Chocolate & Caffeinated Drinks
Just like chocolate is poisonous to dogs, it is also just as dangerous to cats as well. Chocolate and caffeinated drinks have a substance in them called methylxanthines. This substance can cause vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, abnormal heart beats, and seizures. You want to contact a vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Dark chocolate tends to be more dangerous than white or milk chocolate.
Onions & Garlic
Onions or anything in the onion family (shallots, scallions, etc) as well as garlic cause damage to your cat’s red blood cells, which can eventually lead to anemia. Onions and garlic typically only cause damages when eaten in large amounts, but things such as onion soup or garlic powder can be equally as dangerous. Symptoms that occur when they eat these foods are lethargy, weakness, pale gums, and reduced appetite.
Contact Catonsville Cat Clinic Today!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
You can get in touch with the Catonsville Cat Clinic by giving us a call at 410-869-0800 or visiting our contact page. For more updates and advice, be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!