Banned food for cats

We usually extend a little piece of whatever we are eating to our pets. But for cats, some food items are best avoided or are a complete no-no.
Onions: Giving onions to your cats increases chances of anaemia as it breaks down the RBCs inside the cat’s body. It can also cause indigestion or stomach upset.

Raw meat or eggs: Raw eggs and raw meat contain salmonella or E.coli bacteria, which can cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Raw eggs also contain avidin which interferes with absorption of biotin in body; deficiency of biotin leads to hair loss and skin issues.

Mushrooms: It contains toxins which can lead to systemic shock or complete organ failure.

Raisins and grapes: It can cause vomiting, sickness, kidney failure and hyperactivity due to the toxic effect of raisins.

Fish: High amount of fish can cause thiamine deficiency, which leads to seizures. Moreover, the bones of fish can get stuck in the throat and cause lacerations.

Chocolates: Theobromine, a chemical compound found in chocolates, is toxic for cats and can cause seizures, tremors, abnormal heart beat, even death. Never feed chocolates to cats.

Chicken bones: It can get stuck in the digestive tract and cause internal bleeding, puncturing or tearing of intestinal lining, infection and death.

Dairy products: Most cats are lactose intolerant; it causes diarrhoea.

Candy and gums:contain xylitol which causes seizures.

Prevention: Many cases of toxicity of human foods in cats are accidental. Best way to prevent such cases is to keep the listed items in closed storage — where cats can’t reach them — and by maintaining vigilance on such items and activity of the cats. If your pet shows signs of tremors, diarrhoea, take him/her to your veterinarian for immediate medical attention.

(Dr Madhurita Gupta, veterinarian)

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