Guide to Cat Treats
Dr. Roth
Posted by Dr. Roth on
Cats can be very food-motivated pets. They will often scavenge for food on counters, tables, and in the sink. Some human foods are ok for cats to eat in moderation. However, some human foods are highly toxic to cats and should never be a part of a cat’s nutrition.
Some human foods can cause mild health conditions in a cat if ingested. However, other human foods can be highly toxic and cause severe illness or death if eaten by a cat. The following list of foods should be kept away from cats:
Many fruits and vegetables are toxic to cats. In some cases, only specific parts of the fruit or vegetable are toxic to cats. The following fruits and vegetables are toxic to cats:
Pet parents might forget about seasonings when thinking about safe human foods for cats. For example, cooked chicken is safe for cats to eat. However, if the chicken has been seasoned with garlic, it is not safe for the cat to eat. The following seasonings are not safe for cats to eat:
Many pet parents are now supplementing their cat’s diet with fresh meats and vegetables that provide good cat nutrition. Cats can eat many human foods as long as they’re properly prepared. These foods include:
During the holiday season, many families and guests give their cats extra treats from the dining table or while prepping food. It pays to be extra careful during this time to ensure the cat is not given any toxic or harmful foods.
Pet parents should contact their vet immediately if they suspect their cat has ingested something toxic. Some signs to look out for include vomiting, diarrhea, difficult or labored breathing, seizure, coughing, and more. Fuzzy members can contact Fuzzy’s 24/7 Vet Chat for cat health questions regarding toxic human foods or call Animal Poison Control in case of an emergency.
Thankfully, many human foods that are toxic to cats don’t cause serious health problems. Often, the cat will have a mild case of vomiting and diarrhea. However, if a highly toxic food was ingested, fast treatment could be the key to saving the cat’s life. If the pet parent isn’t sure what the cat ate or how much of it, they should treat the situation as an emergency and seek immediate help and cat advice.