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Which foods are toxic for cats?

katze sitzt in einer küche neben einem schneidebrett katze sitzt in einer küche neben einem schneidebrett

If you want to get a cat, knowing in advance which foods are not good for cats is particularly important. However, as a long-time cat owner, you are probably wondering about some of the ingredients that might be dangerous for your cat. 

Tuna, bulbous plants and more

Granted: A little tuna (without oil) now and then will not harm your cat, but, as so often is the case, only in appropriate amounts. If your cat consumes large quantities of tuna, the methylmercury – which is unfortunately found in tuna – will affect them. Therefore, never feed a whole can. Instead, only give your cat a small fork of the tuna after opening a can. This way you are on the safe side – and so is your cat.

Onions, garlic and chives can be particularly dangerous, even poisonous, for cats. This is due to different sulphides contained in the bulbous plants. And – this will surprise you now: Milk and dairy products are not nearly as well tolerated by cats as is commonly thought. Why? Adult cats, like many people, do not tolerate milk sugar (lactose) very well.

Take special care with the following foods

Grapes and sultanas are an absolute no-go for cats, as they can lead to diarrhoea, vomiting or even kidney failure. So: Hands off! The same applies to alcohol. It has a similar effect on cats as it does on us humans, but much more extreme: Because one small sip is enough to have an effect, and your cat’s movement will be noticeably impaired, and for longer, because cats break down alcohol very slowly. The effects of coffee and tea on your cat are similar, as is cola, as it also contains caffeine. Cats become very nervous when they drink it, getting palpitations and trembling muscles – all symptoms of poisoning. 

Just like for dogs, chocolate is not suitable for cats. Minimal amounts can be broken down by the body, but a little more and your cat could suffer life-threatening poisoning. But it’s not just this sweet treat that isn't suitable for cats. Chewing gum, sweets and many pre-packaged baked goods contain the sweetener xylitol, which is harmful to both cats and dogs. As sweet as your cat may be: Stay away from sweets.

 

Liver in all forms

Cats are partial to liver and love the smell, however the offal is also harmful and can actually result in vitamin A poisoning due to the high vitamin A content. In addition, the high dose of vitamin A has a strong effect on the cat's bone growth. So whether raw or cooked, please do not feed liver to your pet. 

Of course, this does not apply to liver used in cat food. In this case, care is taken to include exactly the right amount. When dosed appropriately, liver is a natural, valuable source of vitamin A. 

Dog food is not for cats

Dogs and cats are completely different animals and there is a good reason why there is special dog and cat food that is adapted to their respective nutritional habits and needs. So particularly if you own both dogs and cats: A little dog food now and then won’t harm your cat. But you should never deliberately feed your cat dog food. Cats need significantly different proteins, vitamins or even taurine to stay healthy and vital. At CAT'S LOVE, we work with nutrition experts to develop cat food specifically for cats of all ages and for different needs.