If your cat is a fussy eater, avoiding human foods won’t be a problem. However, many cats beg for scraps and want to share their owner’s food. This can be harmful so you need to know what you can and can’t give them.

Harmful foods include;

1. Fruits such as apricots, apples, cherries, plums, and peaches should not be given as the seeds, stems, and leaves contain cyanide. Humans aren’t affected by the small doses they ingest, but a cat would be. Cyanide poisoning would cause dilated pupils, nervousness, difficulty breathing, and shock.
2. Chocolate may be a wonderful treat for humans, but the high fat, caffeine, and theobromine could be dangerous for your cat. Not only can the high-fat content produce vomiting and diarrhea, but if eaten in large enough amounts the caffeine could increase blood pressure, increase urination, and result in hyperactivity. Your pet may also develop seizures.
3. Many people give their cats milk to drink as a treat. While cats love milk, it may not be the best treat for them. The high fat content in milk, and other foods, can cause an increased risk of developing pancreatitis. Lactose isn’t easily digested by cats and can cause diarrhea and gas.
4. Onions and garlic are dangerous for your pets because they don’t possess the enzyme needed to enable proper digestion. Cats that eat onions or garlic may experience gas, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal pain.
5. Alcoholic drinks can be toxic to cats if ingested in large amounts. Since cats are so much smaller than humans, their bodies simply cannot handle the effects of alcohol. You may notice alcohol on your cat’s breath, and witness staggering, reduced breathing, or changes in behavior. In large enough amounts, alcohol can cause cardiac arrest and death.
6. Bones of any type can be dangerous. The bones can splinter when chewed which could result in cuts on the inside of your cat’s mouth or their throat, or it could get caught on its way down causing choking. Look for pale or blue gums, drooling, laboured breathing, pawing at their face, and loss of consciousness. Try to remove the bone or take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
7. Raw fish contains a substance called thiaminase which destroys thiamin. This vitamin is essential for cats; if there is a lack of thiamin in their system it could cause neurological problems and possibly convulsions or a coma if left untreated.
8. Canned or cooked tuna in large amounts can result in mercury poisoning. It’s fine to give your cat small amounts of tuna (use tuna in spring water if you do), but too much could be deadly.
9. Adding raw eggs to a cat’s diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin, which can lead to dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), loss of hair, and poor growth.

Table scraps will not provide the balanced diet your cat require. Your cat’s food should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and must contain taurine. Taurine is an amino acid and is essential for your cat’s health. Buying cheap cat may be a false economy if it contains less protein and nutrients and more fillers as your cat will eat more of it to compensate. Knowing the foods to look for and avoid will help you keep your cat healthy and happy for years to come.