Avoid Treating Your Cat With These Foods

Pet Care

oi-Denise Baptiste

By Denise Baptiste

Tuesday, August 17, 2010, 14:14

Do you have a new kitty at home and confused as to what to feed the little pet? Well you should know that there are certain things that you should avoid feeding them. Cats are carnivores and need to eat meat. An occasional taste of yummy boneless beef and brown rice can be a good treat , but its best that you keep it a small meal and less frequent. Here are a few tips one can follow to help ensure your cat's diet is balanced and healthy.

You would be surprised to know that there are certain kinds of common foods that cats eat are the most dangerous for them to consume,they are:-

1. Surprisingly cats you see are addicted to tuna fish whether is is packed for humans or for cats. Offering your cat tuna regularly that is prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition for it doesn't have all the nutrients a cat needs to consume. Some tuna now and then will not hurt.
2. You should know that onions in all forms can break down a cat's blood cells and thus leading to anaemia. Don't let your cat consume any type of food that has a large amount of onion as it is dangerous and can cause onion poisoning. Keep them away from garlic and chives too as cause gastrointestinal upset.
3. Avoid feeding your cat with raisins and grapes as they are not good for them and can make your cat ill and a regular intake of raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are early signs.
4. Caffeine is fatal for your cat. So avoid foods like that of tea and coffee , also including beans and grounds caffeine which is found in cocoa, colas, and energising drinks such as Red Bull.
5. Chocolate is the an all time favourite for you but it doesn't mean to treat your little kitty with it. It consists of a toxic agent called theobromine which is in all the types of chocolates white and brown. The most dangerous is the dark chocolate and the unsweetened baking chocolate. Consuming chocolates can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
6. Just as sugary items and drinks are harmful to your health , it does the same to your cat too. It can lead to obesity, dental problems and even diabetes.
7. Raw meat and fish is usually what cats love to eat and most of them consume it . You as the owner should be aware as to what it can do to your cat. It contains bacteria that cause food poisoning. You should also know that an enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat and if your cat lacks this vitamin it can lead to serious neurological problems,convulsions and coma.
8. Liver can be healthy for your cat provided it doesn't consume too much of it. Over consumption of liver can cause vitamin A toxicity, affecting your cats bones and including certain deformities like that of bone growth on the elbows, spine and even osteoporosis.
9. Candy and gum may be the most delicious food that you can put in your mouth, but for cats products like that of Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol, which causes the cat's blood sugar to drop leading to liver failure beginning with seizures as the first symptoms.
10. Other common items that your cat has to avoid is that of baking powder and baking soda which are highly toxic, nutmeg and other spices.

Cats are such picky eaters so we sometimes think cats know what"s best for them when it comes to them eating and the best way to help your cat from reaching to the things that are tasty in your pantry are to keep the cupboard doors closed and in this way it will help protect your cat from serious food related illnesses.