Foods forbidden for cats: which ones are toxic and which to avoid

After looking at what cats eat, it is important to know what our feline friends cannot eat. Let's find out which foods are toxic to cats, and always try to make sure we never include forbidden foods for cats in our kitty's diet…

Forbidden Foods for Cats

From the very dawn of its origins, the cat belongs to the predator family, which means it has always found its own food by hunting. There must be a reason why cats have always hunted mice and small animals in general, rather than ham and smoked salmon, don't you think? Ever since we decided to classify them as pets, cats have stopped being predators and have become plump, pampered lap animals — not by chance are they represented in cartoons by Garfield, the obese lasagne-hunting cat (who eats strictly while sprawled in an armchair!).

Felines in general, and cats in particular, have a slim, sleek figure that should stay that way. Since we cannot send them out hunting, some people far more expert than us have created specific cat foods that contain all the nutrients they need and are free of everything that could be harmful to their figure and their health.

But because the chubby, laid-back cat is an image everyone finds endearing, we often make the mistake of slipping our kitty some food — perhaps taken straight from our own plate — without having the faintest idea of the harm this could do to the cat's health. What might be a small treat for us can turn out to be toxic for our beloved pet, and sometimes even fatal.

Which Foods Are Forbidden for Cats and Which Should Be Avoided

To understand which foods are forbidden for cats, let's answer some questions from our readers, bearing in mind that the ideal approach is always to feed them with cat food specifically designed for them…

Can you give chocolate to a cat?

Let's start with perhaps the most obvious one: chocolate is poison for cats! Since they do not have the right enzymes to expel it from their body (they are not built to eat chocolate), it remains inside their system for far too long and is extremely dangerous.

Can cats eat tuna and cured meats?

The same applies to all cured meats in general, salt, and tuna — although when it comes to tuna, a small amount every now and then may be tolerated, preferably in brine or spring water.

Can cats eat yoghurt?

Among the foods forbidden for cats we find milk and cheese. When a kitten stops drinking its mother's milk, it means it no longer needs it, and its body stops producing the enzymes to process it. As a result, cats cannot eat yoghurt or other dairy products — if you give your cat milk, your kitty will suffer bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea.

Can you give eggs to cats?

No raw eggs for our kitty: they contain a substance called avidin that blocks the absorption of vitamin B.

Can you give fruit to cats?

Giving fruit to cats, even though it may seem harmless and healthy, could raise their blood sugar levels, predisposing them to diabetes mellitus. Needless to say, the same applies to all sweets in general and to sugary drinks.

Can you give dog food to cats?

Dog foods are designed for dogs, not for cats, and there is a reason for that — the protein content is insufficient and can cause serious nutritional deficiencies.

Can you give leftovers to a cat?

Even if they give you those big pleading eyes like Puss in Boots — the answer is absolutely not! A cat is not some kind of living dustbin; an erratic and unbalanced cat diet causes vomiting and diarrhoea that can become chronic and pathological.

Can you give raw fish and meat to cats?

Raw chicken? Absolutely not — the risk of salmonellosis is extremely high. Raw fish? Let's put this myth to rest: no, and again no! While the occasional tiny piece has never killed anyone, feeding a cat raw fish is never a good idea, due to anti-thiaminase — a substance that prevents the absorption of thiamine. And let's not forget fish bones: even though cats are often shown dealing with fish bones in classic cartoon scenes, they are in fact a potentially deadly hazard, just like chicken bones, which can become lodged somewhere and cause intestinal haemorrhages, perforations and blockages.

Can you give fried food and mushrooms to cats?

Mushrooms are off the table — they are often toxic even for humans. Everything fried, along with crisps, peanuts, sweets, and anything else you might think of, must be banned from your cat's diet, as must tea and coffee, of course.

Can cats eat liver?

In a cat's diet, an excessively high liver content can cause problems with the skeletal system. Since not all of us are veterinarians able to manage portions perfectly, it is best to avoid it or at least ask for professional advice.

Is it dangerous to give onion or garlic to cats?

Yes, giving onion or garlic to cats can trigger a form of haemolytic anaemia that can be fatal.

Foods to Avoid in Your Cat's Diet

First of all, we need to make one important point: a cat is a cat — it is not a four-legged version of us! It cannot eat everything we eat; even if treating it that way makes it feel more like a child, we are not doing it any good, and we need to understand that. Its digestive system is designed to absorb and digest certain foods and to exclude others. If a cat happily eats yoghurt or ice cream, that does not mean we should give it to them. The same rule that applies to us should apply to them too: the things we enjoy most are usually the ones that do us the most harm.

To avoid taking any risks, let's follow our vet's advice and feed our kitty exclusively with cat food specially formulated for them. Everyone will benefit: our cat will live longer and in good health; we will not end up spending entire pay cheques at the vet's treating all manner of ailments; and the vet will not have to deal with a never-ending stream of food allergies and poisonings.