Top 10 Human Foods Poisonous to Cats

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: December 26th, 2019

It may smell good to your kitty, but it may be dangerous for her to eat. Be sure to keep your cat away from these poisonous foods.

Your cat’s body is different from yours, so some of the foods that are perfectly fine for you to eat might actually be poisonous to your pet. Taking precautions to keep your kitty away from these foods is important, and contacting your vet if your cat ingests any of these foods is also recommended to ensure your pet will be okay.

What are some of the human foods that are poisonous to cats? 10 of them are listed below, in no particular order.

Related: Top 10 Fruits Cats Can Eat

Chocolate

While you might delight in a chocolate treat, it should be kept away from your cat because it contains methylxanthines. These substances can cause symptoms that include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as abnormal heart rhythm, muscle tremors, increased thirst, high body temperature, seizures, and abdominal discomfort. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it could be. Contact your vet if your cat ingested chocolate and is exhibiting symptoms.

Onions and Garlic

Although you might like using garlic, scallions, shallots, and onions in a variety of your homemade meals, be sure to keep foods in the onion family away from your cat, as they can damage red blood cells and contribute to anemia. Contact your vet if your cat eats any of these foods and starts to exhibit symptoms like weakness, pale gums, reduced appetite, lethargy, and urine that’s orange to dark red in color.

Related: Can Cats Eat Bananas?

Raisins and Grapes

Did you know that even small amounts of raisins and grapes could make your kitty sick? Be sure to keep these foods far from your cat, as they can cause kidney failure to develop rapidly. If your cat were to eat grapes or raisins, symptoms like vomiting, hyperactivity, diarrhea, lethargy, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, and decreased urination may occur over the course of 12 to 24 hours.

Alcohol

If you enjoy drinking some alcohol to have fun or unwind, just be sure to keep it away from your kitty, especially if your cat is curious about what’s in your glass. Cats who consume alcohol might develop liver damage and brain damage, and small amounts can do a lot of harm. If an adult cat were to drink just 1 tablespoon of alcohol, she could end up in a coma, while a larger amount could be fatal.

Caffeinated Drinks

In the same way that you keep your alcoholic beverages away from your pet, you should do the same with any caffeinated beverages that you like to drink. Symptoms that may develop after ingestion include muscle tremors, rapid breathing, restlessness, and heart palpitations.

Raw Fish

It’s best to not share your sushi or raw fish ingredients with your kitty. That’s because, according to experts, raw fish might be harboring harmful bacteria that could cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal upset. And raw fish also contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine (an essential B vitamin). So, if you want to give your cat a bit of fish as a treat, just cook it first and serve it plain.

Raw Dough

Raw yeast dough is yet another food that can harm a cat if she were to eat it. Basically, the dough could end up rising in your kitty’s belly, stretching her abdomen and causing gas, bloating, and pain. The stomach might even end up twisting, which would put your pet in a life-threatening situation. Plus, as yeast ferments, alcohol is produced, which is also harmful to cats.

Salty Foods

Letting your cat snack on your salty treats, such as pretzels, popcorn, and chips, isn’t such a good idea. If your cat eats too much salt, she could experience excessive thirst, excessive urination, and sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms that your cat ate too much salt include diarrhea, tremors, depression, elevated body temperature, vomiting, and seizures. Too much salt can even be life-threatening.

Dairy Products

Many cats, after weaning, become lactose intolerant, so even though your cat might like drinking milk or eating cheese, dairy products may result in symptoms like upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Fat Trimmings

Tempted to give your kitty some table scraps that include the fat that you have trimmed off meat? Not so fast. Uncooked and cooked fat could result in intestinal upset, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as pancreatitis.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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UK Dog Is Recovering After 130+ Coins Were Removed From His Stomach

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After 11 Long Years, a Cat That Was Presumed Dead Returns Home

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Should I Bathe My Dog During Winter?

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Poll Reveals Biggest Pet Peeves of Dog Owners in the U.S.

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With the news of the recent American Bully XL ban in the UK, conversations around dog muzzles have been popping up all over social media. The growing discussion has opened the door for dog owners in the United States to consider the benefits of using a muzzle for their own dogs for many reasons, including scavenging, reactivity, and even short-term use for veterinary and grooming appointments. But with so many different styles of muzzle on the market, how do you choose the best muzzle for your dog? We have you covered! In this guide, we will discuss the different muzzle types available, what each type is best suited for, and the proper fit of a dog muzzle. Plus, I will share which muzzle we currently use with our reactive dog, Lucifer, and why. Let’s get started… Things to Consider When Shopping for a Muzzle for Your Dog When selecting a muzzle for your dog, there is no singular “best option” that will work for every dog and situation. On one hand, this can be frustrating as it leaves you feeling overwhelmed navigating the wide assortment of options. On the other hand, it means you can purchase a muzzle uniquely suited for your dog’s needs. Here are a few key factors to consider when making your decision: MaterialThere are several materials to consider when shopping for a muzzle, including metal, plastic, rubber, vinyl, leather, Biothane, fabric, silicone, and more. To determine the best option for your dog, there are a few critical deciding factors: Do you need a muzzle that can prevent a determined dog from biting? Will your dog be wearing the muzzle outdoors in the elements? Is weight a factor for your dog? Does your dog engage in “muzzle punching” when wearing a muzzle (ramming into people with the muzzle)? Will your dog likely shove the muzzle into the dirt while trying to smell the ground? It is important to note that most muzzles are not considered “bite-proof.” This means they shouldn’t be relied on to prevent a bite from occurring. If you are muzzling as a safety precaution due to a bite risk, the best options are vinyl or wire basket muzzles. Ease of Use Like harnesses and collars, some dogs make fastening a muzzle easy, while others can make the process a challenge. This doesn’t necessarily mean they dislike the muzzle or aren’t properly conditioned to the muzzle. For example, if our boy Lucifer is overly excited about going somewhere, he sometimes gets the zoomies. He usually will stand still to let us buckle his muzzle, but it’s hard to control the zoomies when they hit! A muzzle with a quick-release buckle will be your best option if that sounds familiar. This is faster to secure than a traditional threaded buckle. Airflow One primary concern for those considering muzzling their dogs is the airflow that they will offer, and for good reason! This is especially important if your dog is going to be active while wearing the muzzle. Wire basket muzzles are often a favorite for high-energy dogs, allowing for uninterrupted airflow and making it easy for your dog to drink while wearing it. In comparison, leather and Biothane muzzles, especially those designed to prevent scavengers from being able to pick up “goodies” on their walks, generally limit airflow. Carefully consider your dog’s lifestyle and the situations where a muzzle may be needed.

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How Do I Train My Dog to Wear a Muzzle?

Introducing a new tool to your dog can feel like uncharted territory. While some dogs will readily accept whatever is thrown their way, others will become stressed or anxious when presented with something new. Unfortunately, if you are in a position where a muzzle is necessary for the safety of your dog or others around you, forgoing a tool because your dog appears to be uninterested in it isn’t an option. So, what do you do? How do you train your dog to wear a muzzle? This guide will dig into the importance of conditioning when planning to muzzle your dog. This includes explaining what conditioning is, walking you through the process step-by-step, and sharing some helpful tips to set you up for success. What is Muzzle Conditioning? Before expecting your dog to wear their muzzle, it is recommended that you take the time to focus on muzzle training, also referred to as muzzle conditioning. This is the process of introducing the muzzle alongside positive rewards. If each time your dog sees or interacts with the muzzle, they get “good things,” it will create a positive association. Over time, they will not only tolerate the muzzle but happily accept it. Why? They recognize that wearing their muzzle means they will receive good things like verbal praise, pets, and their favorite treats. How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Get Used to a Muzzle? There is no one guaranteed timeline when working on muzzle conditioning. While some dogs will quickly take to the muzzle, adjusting in just a few days, others will take longer. Some factors that can impact this include your dog’s personality, trainability, previous experience (positive or negative) with a muzzle, and their trust/bond with you as the person introducing this tool to them. It’s important to keep in mind that the time it takes does NOT mean you are doing better or failing at your training efforts. We have three dogs, all of which have been muzzle-trained. While two of our dogs took to the muzzle relatively quickly, Lucifer’s nerves and anxiety made the process more challenging. This doesn’t mean it was impossible. With time, patience, and consistency, he is now the dog that is most comfortable in a muzzle out of the three. We just had to move at his pace.

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