Cats can be very picky about what they eat. However, there are a few foods that they may show interest in that should be avoided. Here are a few that your feline friend needs to stay away from.

Dairy Products: Most cats are lactose intolerant and cannot process dairy foods. Give your cat too much milk, and she may have an upset stomach and diarrhea. 

Raw Meat: Raw meats, including fish, can contain dangerous bacteria that can cause food poisoning in cats (and can also be dangerous for the humans in the house).

Tuna: A cat fed a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can become malnourished because the tuna doesn’t provide all the nutrients a cat needs. Additionally, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.

Onions, Garlic, Chives: Onions, garlic, and chives can all cause stomach upset in cats. And, regardless of the form of onion (powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated), it can break down your cat’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Alcohol: Alcohol has the same effect on a cat’s liver and brain that it has on humans. Just three teaspoons of whiskey could kill a 5-pound cat.

Caffeine: In large enough quantities, caffeine can be fatal for a cat, and there is no antidote. You’ll notice restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors if your cat has been poisoned by caffeine.

Grapes: Both grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats, which will sometimes reveal itself early on in the forms of vomiting and hyperactivity.

Candy: The artificial sweetener xylitol can be found in candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods. In cats, it can cause a decrease in blood sugar and liver failure.

Chocolate: All kinds of chocolate, but especially dark, contain theobromine, which is toxic to cats.

If you have any questions or concerns when it comes to food for your feline, let us help. Contact us.