Dangerous Foods for Cats

• Chocolate -- just like chocolate is dangerous for dogs, it is dangerous for cats. Theobromine in chocolate can affect the heart and nervous system.

• Onions -- compounds in onions can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible to onion poisoning than dogs are. Garlic contains less of these compounds than onions do, and is less toxic.

• Alcohol and Tobacco

• Coffee/Tea/Soda -- anything with caffeine can affect the heart and the nervous system.

• Fruit pits/Fruit seeds -- can contain trace amounts of cyanide and are also a choking hazard.

• Grapes and Raisins -- can cause kidney damage. Grapes are also a choking hazard.

• Iron -- if your cat gobbles your vitamins, they may be at risk for iron poisoning. Iron can damage the digestive system, including the liver and kidneys.

• Liver -- too much liver can affect muscles and bones.

• Macadamia nuts -- a compound in macadamia nuts can cause temporary paralysis in dogs; it can affect the digestive and nervous systems in cats.

• Mushrooms -- some kinds of mushrooms can affect multiple systems in your cat, leading to shock. It is best to avoid giving your cat mushrooms entirely!

• Raw eggs and raw fish -- can cause imbalances if fed too frequently. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella.

• Yeast dough/Bread dough -- dough continues to rise in the digestive system, causing pain or possibly rupture of the stomach or intestines. A byproduct of dough rising is alcohol.

Many houseplants can be dangerous for your cats, too. Lilies are especially dangerous, and can cause kidney damage. For a full list of dangerous plants, visit the Cat Fancier's Association website: http://www.cfa.org/articles/plants.html

If you believe your cat has been exposed to something poisonous, stay calm. Call the veterinarian and warn them that you are on your way in with a suspected poisoning. Tell them what your cat ate, how long ago, and what the symptoms are. If you can, bring the container that held the dangerous food, and gather up a sample of what your cat has thrown up or passed. These things may help your veterinarian determine exactly what poisons are involved in your pet's illness.

If you can't get to a veterinarian quickly, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP. The hotline is available twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year. There is a small fee for the service.

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