Caution: Poisonous! What your cat should never eat
According to popular belief, cats have nine lives. But as we all know from experience, that doesn't protect them from all the dangers of everyday life. The greatest dangers often come from the very foods that are completely harmless—even delicious—for us humans, but can cause poisoning in your cat. Some of these foods, like garlic or chocolate, are also toxic for dogs.
Important: You won't find any tips here on how to save your cat if it has eaten something poisonous. In that case, you must immediately: Call the emergency vet!
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Only with a →species-appropriate and healthy diet can you ensure a long and healthy life for your cat. To keep it that way and enjoy your furry friend for many years to come, here is a list of numerous poisonous or at least unsuitable foods that your cat should never get its paws on.
Onions: Highly toxic for cats
No matter if cooked, raw, dried, or powdered—onions are highly toxic for cats. They contain dangerous sulfur compounds that attack the red blood cells of animals. Eating onions can cause cats to experience vomiting, →diarrhea or irritation of the mucous membranes and even lead to anemia. The blood count can change even after repeated consumption of small amounts.
Allium plants: Always toxic for cats
In addition to onions, all allium plants are toxic for cats. These include wild garlic and chives, for example. Chives in particular are often found as a plant in the kitchen or on the balcony. As interesting as this plant may be for your cat, it must never be eaten, otherwise signs of poisoning can occur.
Garlic: Highly toxic for cats
Garlic is also extremely toxic for cats, as it contains harmful substances such as N-propyl disulfide and allyl propyl disulfide. Harmless to us, and even good for blood, heart, and vessels, it is extremely damaging to a cat's body. Eating garlic can cause severe symptoms of poisoning in cats. Since the stomach lining is severely irritated, this can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting in cats.
If your cat has eaten something she shouldn't have, it's best to seek veterinary advice. At the clinic, she can get prompt help and, in the best case, poisoning can be avoided.
Bread and toast: Can cause digestive problems
There's a reason why good, high-quality cat food is labeled "gluten-free" —because gluten has no place in cat food. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains.
Bread and toast consist mostly of grains and can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems in your cat. Cats are carnivores and can only digest such carbohydrate sources in very small amounts. Bread and toast, as literal gluten bombs, have no place in your cat's stomach!
Dairy products like butter, cheese & co.: Can cause digestive disorders
Cow's milk and dairy products such as →cheese or →quark are not inherently toxic for cats. Especially during the nursing period, kittens need milk to grow into healthy house cats. At this stage, their bodies produce lactase—just like in humans (at least if no intolerance is present)—which breaks down the milk sugar lactose. Adult cats may still be crazy about milk, but they no longer produce lactase, which is why the tasty milk often doesn't agree with them.
Since lactose in adult cats can't be properly digested, it reaches the large intestine and ferments there. The result can be digestive disorders and damage to the gut flora. That's why you should definitely avoid feeding milk, butter, and cheese to your cat. Spoiling your cat with a bowl of milk is actually one of the →most common feeding mistakes.
Lactose-free products could be an alternative. But ideally, you should wean your cat off dairy products altogether.
A bowl of milk as a special treat for your kitty? Better not! Many cats do not tolerate dairy products well and can get stomach aches and diarrhea from them.
Unhealthy spices for cats: Salt, chili, curry & co.
It sounds obvious, but it isn't always: Salt and other spices are not for cats! In general, salty or heavily seasoned foods like →sausage are harmful to your pet. Spices put a strain on your cat's kidney metabolism and therefore don't belong in their diet. Your cat's senses are also extremely sensitive, so strong spices like chili, pepper, nutmeg, and curry are off the menu for your pet.
However, some spices are actually great for your cat's health! Basil and fennel support healthy digestion. If you feel like your cat is craving something aromatic, try tempting it with a little catnip.
Grapes and raisins: Very toxic for cats
What is a light and healthy snack for you can cause discomfort for cats. It's still unclear which component of the grape causes problems in cats, but the oxalic acid in the seeds is suspected. In the worst case, grapes can cause →kidney failure in your cat. But diarrhea and vomiting are also serious consequences.
The same goes for raisins. The substance toxic to cats is present here in even higher concentrations than in grapes, making raisins even more dangerous. So why take the risk? It's better to stick to tasty snacks made especially for cats.
Snacks Straight to the Heart - Our Treats for Your Cat
Alcohol: Highly toxic for cats
While alcohol can make us drunk even in small quantities, it is much more dangerous for the much more delicate cat. The ethanol it contains is dangerous even in small amounts and carries the risk of alcohol poisoning. Cats can experience loss of coordination (ataxia), stomach problems and damage to the liver from consuming alcohol.
Human medications: Never suitable for cats
It goes without saying that you should never give your medications to your cat. So please do not try to treat your cat yourself with painkillers intended for humans (such as sleeping pills or paracetamol).
Cats are extremely sensitive to these and can develop severe symptoms of poisoning. If your cat's stomach is upset and you think it needs medication, your vet can prescribe medications developed specifically for cats to help.
With Pets Deli Vet you can also do something good for your sick cat: a special vet food that is tailored to the needs of sick house cats, healthy, and tasty? That's Pets Deli Vet!
By your side throughout treatment: Pets Deli VET
Chocolate: Always toxic for cats
Mmm, delicious. Probably for cats, too. But it's an absolute no-go! Chocolate, as well as other sweets, are very popular with us, but they're not particularly healthy (not to mention the effect on our waistline).
But for cats, it's simply dangerous. Chocolate contains the substance theobromine —a chemical compound that is highly toxic for cats. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, panting, rapid breathing, muscle tremors, and even seizures. It can lead to death within a short time. The darker the chocolate, the higher its cocoa and theobromine content.
Better than any chocolate: All four-legged friends lick their paws after our cream snacks.
Raw pork: Extremely toxic & can transmit diseases
→Raw pork is never under any circumstances to be fed to cats. Eating this food can infect cats with the harmful Aujeszky virus which can cause incurable inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. In addition, raw pork can be contaminated with trichinae, →tapeworms, salmonella or pathogens of toxoplasmosis.
Raw potatoes, eggplant, and unripe tomatoes: Toxic for cats
Raw potatoes and eggplant contain solanine. This toxin damages the mucous membranes of cats and can cause diarrhea, cramps, and respiratory paralysis in four-legged friends. Raw potatoes also contain a high amount of starch, which is indigestible for both you and your cat.
Tomatoes also contain solanine, but this becomes harmless for cats once the vegetable is fully ripe. During the cooking process solanine is also neutralized. That's why our processed vegetables are always gently cooked before being added to cat food.
Not sure which vegetables cats can eat? Then take a look at our table!
Avocado: Very toxic for cats
Avocados contain a substance dangerous to cats: persin. This toxin can cause gastrointestinal issues or heart muscle damage and can even be fatal. Due to their high fat content, feeding avocados to your cat can cause inflammation of the pancreas.
The avocado pit should also be off-limits for your cat—it can cause an intestinal blockage if swallowed.
Vegetables for cats
Cats can eat these vegetables!
Tea and coffee: Always toxic for cats
Even if you need a cup of coffee every morning and a cup of tea every evening: Neither belongs in your cat's diet. These beverages contain caffeine and theophylline—substances that are highly toxic for cats.
100 milliliters of coffee contain between 60 and 100 milligrams of caffeine. The caffeine content in black tea is about half that. Even at a dose of 80 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, caffeine can be fatal for cats. In addition, coffee and black tea contain the substance theobromine. Even small amounts of this can cause poisoning in cats.
Both drinks can cause symptoms in cats such as rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, or seizures. In higher amounts, as described above, they can even be fatal.
Xylitol: Toxic sugar substitute for cats
Xylitol is used in many products as a sugar substitute, for example in sweets or even in dental care chewing gum. For us humans, it's a good alternative to regular sugar, but for our cats, it's toxic. It can cause liver damage and, by triggering increased insulin release, can lead to a life-threatening drop in blood sugar. So it's best to keep sweets and chewing gum in a kitchen cabinet or a secure drawer where your cat can't find them.
Nicotine: Toxic even in small amounts
These days, everyone knows that cigarettes are harmful to humans. For our cats, cigarettes are toxic even in small amounts. The nicotine they contain can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, excessive salivation and muscle tremors up to seizures. While cats are often picky eaters, it can still happen that the ashtray suddenly seems attractive and interesting. That's why cigarettes and ashtrays should always be kept out of your cat's reach.
Antifreeze
When the cold season arrives, we get the antifreeze for the car out of the basement. As long as it's tightly closed and nothing is spilled, it's not a problem for your cat. But if it leaks or spills, it can become dangerous. The liquid tastes sweet and is therefore often licked up by cats. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic for cats. It causes vomiting, cramps, loss of balance, and kidney failure. So be careful when handling antifreeze and keep your cat away from it.
Winter poses several dangers for cats – such as spilled antifreeze. Due to its sweet taste, cats like to lick it up, but it is extremely toxic for them.
Rat poison
If you or one of your neighbors is dealing with mice or rats in the garden or basement and want to get rid of them with rat poison, it doesn't just mean a painful death for the rodents, but can also be life-threatening for your cat. Either through direct consumption of poisoned bait or by eating poisoned rodents, rat poison can cause severe internal bleeding and even death. The first signs of this are pale mucous membranes, weakness, bleeding of the mucous membranes, or bloody urine. So it's better to use live traps to avoid putting your cat's life at risk.
Poisonous plants for cats
Many cats are also interested in houseplants at home. That's why you should pay close attention to which houseplants you place within reach of your pet. And as you know, cats can reach even the most remote spots if they want to.
Not everything that is green and blooming is good for your cat. Plants like lily of the valley, angel's trumpet, the popular Christmas star in winter, and many others are highly toxic for cats. Here are some you should not keep in your home with a cat:
Alocasia
Aloe vera
Cyclamen
Amaryllis
Azalea or rhododendron
Philodendron
Caladium
Calla
Chili
Chrysanthemums
Dieffenbachia
Ivy
Golden pothos
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Kalanchoe
Lilies
Mistletoe
Monstera deliciosa
Daffodils
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta)
Umbrella plant (Schefflera)
Duranta erecta
Tulip
Poinsettia
Castor bean (Ricinus)
In case of emergency
If all your precautions and hiding places have failed and your cat has eaten something poisonous, you should immediately visit a veterinary practice—ideally before the first symptoms of poisoning appear.
Warning signs can include tremors, drooling and salivating, and severe vomiting. Always show the vet the suspected source of poison (including the packaging), and if possible, bring any chewed or vomited material in a plastic bag. Never try to make your cat vomit yourself. The emergency vet will know what to do and will initiate the next steps in treatment.
