Foods to Avoid

Foods to avoid in cats

Below is a list of foods that should not be fed to cats. The list includes many common household foods but is by no means exhaustive.

Alcoholic beverages
Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources
Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine
Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.

Fat trimmings
Can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins
Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

Large amounts of liver
Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts
Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Milk and other dairy products
Some adult cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhoea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Mouldy or spoiled food
Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhoea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms
Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder)
Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

Stones from peaches and plums
Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems
Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Raw eggs
Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella. Boiled or scrambled eggs are safe to feed your cat. 

Raw fish
Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Salt
If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

Sugary foods
Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts)
Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and if excessively fed can lead to obesity. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Poisonous plants

There are many plants and flowers which can be poisonous to cats if eaten. If you like to have cut flowers in the house the following list, which is not exhaustive includes some of the more dangerous ones. NB - All Lillies are particularly poisonous to cats.

Amaryllis
Stomach and intestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhoea)

Azalea
Incoordination, trembling, collapse

Cactus
Punctures skin, infection

Caladium
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, shaking head, difficulty breathing

Creeping Charlie
Vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, cramps

Easter Lily
All parts can cause kidney failure

Dieffenbachia
Affects central nervous system

Ivy
Vomiting, diarrhoea, excitable behaviour

Mistletoe
Ingesting berries can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, blistering in the mouth, difficulty breathing

Philodendron
Same as Caladium

Poinsettia
Same as Mistletoe