Your cat's diet is one of the keys to your cat's health and happiness, but not all foods are suitable for them. Some foods are toxic to cats and may even cause serious health problems. Therefore, it is very important to know which foods are taboo for cats. The following are the top ten taboo foods for cats, let us learn about them together.

1. Chocolate and coffee

The theobromine and caffeine contained in these foods will have a negative impact on the heart and nervous system of cats, and may even cause poisoning. Theobromine and caffeine are particularly dangerous ingredients for cats. They can cause rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, muscle tremors, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms. In severe cases, they can even be life-threatening. Therefore, cats must not be allowed to come into contact with chocolate and coffee, including chocolate products, coffee beans, coffee grounds, etc., to avoid accidents. If your cat accidentally eats these foods, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

2. Onions and Garlic

The sulfides contained in onions and garlic will destroy the cat’s red blood cells, causing anemia and may even cause acute kidney injury. The ingredients in these foods can cause the destruction of red blood cells, causing oxygen transport to be blocked and ultimately leading to anemia. Moreover, onions and garlic may also cause inflammation of digestive tract tissues such as the cat’s mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines, leading to digestive tract problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, for your cat’s health, it’s important to avoid exposing them to onions and garlic.

3. Grapes and raisins

Some studies have shown that certain components in grapes and raisins may cause acute kidney injury in cats, manifested as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and urine output. Reduce other symptoms. In some cases, this kidney damage can progress rapidly and even be life-threatening. Therefore, although grapes and raisins are healthy foods for humans, they are off-limits to cats and should never be allowed to be eaten.

4. Dairy products

Although dairy products are inexplicably attractive to cats, they cannot digest lactose, and excessive intake can cause diarrhea. Lactose is a type of sugar in dairy products. It is broken down into glucose and galactose by lactase in cats. However, most adult cats lack lactase and cannot effectively break down lactose, causing lactose to ferment in the intestines to produce gas and acidic substances. , causing indigestion symptoms such as diarrhea. Therefore, although cats may show a strong interest in dairy products, to avoid digestive problems, it is best not to feed your cat dairy products that contain lactose.

5. Alcohol

Even a small amount of alcohol may cause poisoning in cats, causing vomiting, diarrhea, loss of control and central nervous system depression. Cats have a low ability to metabolize alcohol into harmless substances, so even small amounts of alcohol can cause serious harm to their health. The toxic substances in alcohol will be quickly absorbed into the cat’s blood circulation, affecting the normal functions of its nervous system and digestive system, leading to a series of adverse reactions. Therefore, to protect your cat’s health, you should ensure that they stay away from any alcohol-containing substances, including alcoholic beverages, medications, and cleaning agents.

6. Raw meat and fish

Raw meat and fish may contain parasites and bacteria, posing a threat to the health of cats. Parasites and bacteria in raw meat, such as Toxoplasma gondii and salmonella, may cause infections in cats, leading to digestive system problems, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms, which may even be life-threatening in severe cases. Therefore, to protect your cat’s health, raw meat and fish should be avoided as their food. For raw meat and fish, it is best to fully heat them to ensure that parasites and bacteria in them are killed to reduce harm to cats.

7. Salty food

Excessive salt can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in cats, causing discomfort and even poisoning. Cat's kidneys cannot effectively process large amounts of salt, and excess salt will increase the burden on the kidneys and lead to impaired kidney function. In addition, high-salt foods can also cause cats to become thirsty, leading to excessive drinking, thereby increasing the burden on the kidneys. Therefore, in order to protect the health of cats, you should avoid giving them high-salt foods, such as bacon, pickled products, etc., and maintain a balanced and healthy diet.

8. Human drugs

Including ibuprofen, acetaminophen and other drugs, they are all toxic to cats. The toxicity of human drugs to cats can cause serious health problems or even be fatal. Therefore, cats should seek medical treatment promptly when they are sick, and use cat-specific drugs according to the veterinarian's recommendations. Do not use human drugs at will.

9. Bones

Bone can easily cause throat or intestinal obstruction and cause serious digestive problems. In particular, small bones such as chicken bones and fish bones are more likely to get stuck in the cat's throat or intestines, causing serious consequences such as suffocation or intestinal scratches. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed cats any type of bones to ensure their health and safety.

10. Tobacco

The nicotine toxin in tobacco is extremely dangerous to cats and may even cause poisoning and death. Cats inhaling smoke or coming into contact with tobacco ashes, cigarette butts, etc. may cause nicotine poisoning, which can manifest as vomiting, diarrhea, over-excitement, rapid heartbeat, and even difficulty breathing. Therefore, for the health of your cat, it is best to avoid smoking at home, or at least smoke in a place where your cat cannot reach it, and keep tobacco products away from your cat’s environment.

In general, cats’ diet requires careful care and avoid giving them unsuitable food. These foods can have serious effects on your cat’s health and may even be toxic. Therefore, as cat owners, we need to always pay attention to their diet and ensure that they are given safe and healthy food to maintain their health and happiness.