Dog owners are used to sharing their food with their furry best friends or even letting them eat leftover dinner scraps. However, it’s important to understand that a cat is not a dog, and in general we need to be much more careful when allowing them to try any type of “human food.” Dogs are omnivores, just like us, which is why our diets are more similar. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivores, and their liver has far more difficulty eliminating certain toxins that are harmless to humans. For all these reasons, here is a list of 5 deadly foods for cats that you should never, under any circumstances, allow your feline to eat.
1. Milk
We begin with a food that, although traditionally associated with cats, is actually one of the most dangerous foods for them: milk or any other dairy product, such as yogurt or cheese. While all mammals, including cats, drink their mother’s milk as babies, once they reach adulthood they no longer produce the enzyme needed to break down lactose, which can cause severe and significant digestive issues.
2. Chocolate, coffee or tea
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Chocolate, coffee and tea contain high levels of methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), a type of natural stimulant. These substances can greatly affect your cat and may cause dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea or even ulcers. Fortunately, cats lack sweet taste receptors, so it is not common for them to seek out these foods on their own.
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Chocolate, coffee and tea contain high levels of methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine and theophylline), a type of natural stimulant. These substances can greatly affect your cat and may cause dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea or even ulcers. Fortunately, cats lack sweet taste receptors, so it is not common for them to seek out these foods on their own.
3. Allium vegetables such as onions, garlic and leeks
This type of vegetable is toxic to both dogs and cats, although cats are affected much more severely. Onions, garlic and leeks are among the most dangerous foods for cats because they destroy their red blood cells, causing anemia. Symptoms of this type of poisoning include muscle weakness, loss of balance, fatigue, dark urine, lack of appetite and more.
3. Allium vegetables such as onions, garlic and leeks
This type of vegetable is toxic to both dogs and cats, although cats are affected much more severely. Onions, garlic and leeks are among the most dangerous foods for cats because they destroy their red blood cells, causing anemia. Symptoms include muscle weakness, loss of balance, fatigue, dark urine and lack of appetite.
“This type of vegetable is toxic to both dogs and cats, although cats suffer much more from it.”
3. Allium vegetables such as onions, garlic and leeks
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This type of vegetable is toxic.
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To both dogs and cats, although cats are much more affected.
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Onions, garlic and leeks are among the most dangerous foods.
