|
Feeding your cat human food can be very dangerous...even fatal! While many cats look at their owners with pleading eyes for a taste of something good may actually cause it to become ill. Cats have unique nutritional requirements. They eat a high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate diet that provides them with vitamin A and arachidonic acid. Table scraps can upset the nutritional balance of your cat. Some of the foods that are detrimental to your cat may surprise you.
Cats eat little glutamate or benzoic acid that are found in vegetables. They also need niacin and amino acids, such as arginine. They also cannot get rid of ammonia in their systems and will not live if their diet does not contain foods with arginine.
Human foods are often too rich for the cat’s system. If a cat is given human foods, he may develop intestinal problems and bad breath. For this reason, there are many human foods that kitty may like that can cause harm to her. One such food, and probably the most dangerous, is chocolate. Chocolate embodies theobromine, which is extremely toxic to animals. Even foods that only contain chocolate should never be fed to your cat. It only takes 1/2 an ounce of some chocolates to cause death in a cat. Symptoms of chocolate ingestion in your pet include
drooling, muscle tremors, rapidly beating heart and diarrhea.
Onions cause anemia in your cat because they destroy red blood cells. As a result, the oxygen in the animal’s body does not circulate correctly and the body cannot properly function. Garlic can also cause problems, but is generally less toxic to the cat than onions. Symptoms of anemia from onion ingestion are weakness, panting, weight loss and lethargy.
Many cat owners will be surprised to learn that uncooked meat or poultry products can be unhealthy for their pet. These meats can contain bacteria and parasites that can cause serious health problems. Clostridium and Salmonella bacteria are the two most common bacteria in meats. Symptoms of Clostridium poisoning include stomach pain, vomiting and shock. Salmonella poisoning symptoms include fever, lethargy and dehydration.
Raw fish also poses a health threat for cats. Raw fish flesh can contain tapeworms that once ingested by the cat, will interfere with the cat’s digestive functions. Tapeworms live off of the wall of the animal’s intestine. The meat also embodies a thiaminase that obliterates thiamin in the animal’s body. This causes heart disease and can lead to paralysis. Symptoms of thiamin deficiency include wobbly rear quarters, loss of appetite and vomiting. Pork is also not wee-suited to cats. The meat contains high levels of fat that can cause arteries to clog.
Milk can cause digestive upsets in cats. Cats do not have the enzymes to break down the lactose in milk. If you must give your pet milk, it is best to buy the lactose free milk products that are available. You can also use canned milk. Liquid drinks such as Ensure or Baby formulas should not be given to cats because they do not contain enough arginine. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in your cat include skin irritation and diarrhea.
Another food that is not good for cats is liver. Because liver is very high in vitamin A, overdoses of the vitamin can occur, especially if the cat is taking supplements. Cats suffering from too much vitamin A displays symptoms of bone deformity, weight loss and can be anorexic.
Tuna fish is another food that animal owners may be surprised to find is detrimental to cats. Containing high amounts of mercury, tuna can cause mercury poisoning. Also, canned tuna is extremely high in fat because of the liquid it is packed in. This can lead to steatis, which causes the cat’s system to lose vitamin E. Symptoms of steatis include impaired mobility, fever and flaking skin.
Baby foods are unhealthy for cats because many of them contain onion powder that can lead to anemia. Never give a cat bones that are cooked and tender. They can easily splinter and cause choking in the animal. Raw bones can be a great treat for the cat. They contain calcium and phosphorous, and are a good way to help clean the animal’s teeth.
Raw eggs can contain bacteria and salmonella, as well as avidin. Avidin is a protein that causes depletion of B vitamins in your cat. These are important for the growth and maintenance of the cat’s fur. However, cooked eggs are one of the best sources of protein for your animal.
Other human foods that can cause health problems for cats include nuts, alcoholic beverages, yeast dough, rhubarb, tomato or potato leaves, coffee and coffee grounds, tea and foods containing citrus oils. So be cautious next time you think about feeding your cat something from the table. You never know what can happen.
| 
