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-   -   What human foods are okay for felines? (http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=9908)

tyr November 28th, 2004 08:40 PM

What human foods are okay for felines?
 
Hello Ladies and Gents!

There was a post a couple of weeks back on what foods were bad for dogs. I asked in the forum if anyone knew what foods were bad for cats - then I felt like a poster hog and said I would make my on post on the subject...so here I am!

I know that pasta is okay, because I flipped through a recipe book for cats once and noticed that in there. But, what other foods are okay and what foods should definitely be steered clear of?

Thanks!

SarahJane November 28th, 2004 11:20 PM

I've heard that all of the things that are bad for dogs are also bad for cats (chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins)... I heard another one recently... avocados! And I also heard garlic can be bad in large quantities, for both cats and dogs.

tyr November 29th, 2004 12:42 PM

I thought that cat systems were different from a dog's? My cats do get "treats" every once and a while. I want to make sure that I am not giving them anything that is harmful to them. The dog food post really worried me.

mastifflover November 29th, 2004 12:46 PM

Here is the one that I found for cats.

A Guide to Safe VS Toxic "Table Scraps" for Cats
Let's face it: some cats are inveterate "bums" and will beg and plead most appealingly while you try to eat. While I will (rarely) give a cat a tidbit of chicken or turkey from my plate, it's a practice I don't encourage as a regular habit for a few reasons. First, because cats need the nutrients specifically provided for them in good, premium cat foods, and any "extras" that they consume will take away their appetites for their regular meals. A sliver of turkey or chicken from your dinner plate certainly won't kill a cat, but you're helping him develop bad habits. What happens when Aunt Phoebe comes for dinner and Simon jumps on her lap to scarf up her meal?
However, the main reason I'd discourage feeding cats "people food" is that there are a number of foods that are toxic to cats. You may have forgotten that the gravy slathered over your Thanksgiving turkey used broth that was flavored with onion, among other things. While it is tasty and harmless to humans, onions are very toxic to cats. The following is a list of foods that cats should never eat:

Onions, Garlic, & Related Root Vegetables

Onions contain a substance (N-propyl disulphide) which destroys red blood cells in the cat, causing a form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. Garlic contains a similar substance in a lesser amount.

Tomatoes, Green (raw Potatoes)

These foods are members of the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. The Feline Future web site offers a rare description of a cat which was close to death from ingesting just one cherry tomato (See the link on the sidebar).

Chocolate

It's becoming more widely known that chocolate is very toxic to both cats and dogs. Theobromine is the offending substance here. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, D.V.M. has an excellent article on the symptoms, effects, and treatment of chocolate toxicity.

Grapes and Raisins

These foods' toxicity has only recently been discovered, and although the only studies have been with dogs, it is also believed that these fruits may also affect cats adversely. For more information see the ASPCA Poison Control Center article, The Wrath of Grapes.

Milk

Although milk is not toxic to cats, it may have adverse effects. Simply put, adult cats fed a nutritious diet don't need milk, and many cats are lactose-intolerant, which means that the lactose in milk and milk products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. If your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream may be okay, two or three times a week. (The more fat in the milk, the less lactose.) Another compromise is CatSip, a product made from skim milk with an enzyme added that helps the digestion of lactose. Catsip is available in supermarkets such as Safeway, Albertson's and A&P, as well as pet products chains, such as PetSmart and Petco.

These are the most commonly seen "people foods" that are potentially harmful to cats. The bottom link is to feed your cat nutritious food developed with his needs in mind and choose treats designed for cats instead of table scraps.

If You Think Your Cat Has Been Poisoned

Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at one of the numbers below
1-900-443-0000 ($45.00 per case. The charge is billed directly to caller's phone.)
1-888-426-4435. $45.00 per case, credit card only.)
Follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 888-299-2973.

kathryn January 27th, 2007 05:02 AM

Whoa whoa.. I heard alot of that stuff is okay for cats.. especially the garlic. My mom bought a book about cats and it said alot of cats love garlic and love to eat italian food... O-o & it also said that in another book about cats my aunt has... why would both books say something like that if it's poisionus to cats?

Prin January 27th, 2007 01:58 PM

Too much garlic can be harmful so to be safe, they just say no garlic.

Definitely no onions ever though.

Inisfad January 27th, 2007 03:46 PM

[QUOTE=mastifflover;74363]astrointestinal symptoms. The Feline Future web site offers a rare description of a cat which was close to death from ingesting just one cherry tomato [/QUOTE]
There is a very poor selection of cat food here, but one that my cats love (Whiskas, sorry!!) shows as one of its ingredients 'min 4% [I]tomato [/I]in gravy'. There is a very poor selection of food here, only 3 or 4 very commercial brands, literally nothing holistic, etc. My old cat will only eat this Whiskas. Now I'm worried about the tomato!

Scott_B January 27th, 2007 03:54 PM

Id be more worried about some of the other stuff in it :yuck:

Cats can be very fussy. The reason they like these crap foods is because of te crap they put in it. They're like lttle junkies needing a fix :p

RolandsMom January 27th, 2007 03:58 PM

My old cat used to steal tomato off the table, another used to ignore the meat and steal any squash that was anywhere to be found. We never saw any adverse effects (i had no idea then that they were not healthy for them). IMO if your old cat has had no adverse effects then i guess its fine, although not a wonderful food, if hes eating it and he wont eat anything else and hes happy and healthy then it cant be all that bad for him. im not sure of the long term effects though. cats are so finicky arent they? they run us in circles for sure.

fragglerock 1 July 4th, 2007 04:20 PM

Boots should have been a Dog...
 
Howdie All;

May Cat Boots:cat: :pawprint: I think whold have been a Dog as if I don't keep my eye on him, he'll almost anything and everything.! I've never seen a cat have such a varied appetite for almost any kind of food.!!

dtbmnec July 5th, 2007 10:49 AM

Hmmm maybe I shouldn't mention all the stuff my cats get into......

O.o

Megan

H.P. September 5th, 2007 09:59 PM

[QUOTE=mastifflover;74363]Tomatoes, Green (raw Potatoes)[/QUOTE]


I realize that this is an older thread, but is it Green Tomatoes and Raw Potatoes that are no-nos? The only "people food" that Jo the cat will eat is 1/2 a Spaghettio meatball, and a small nibble of raw potato.

Kristin7 September 6th, 2007 07:40 AM

Looks like it in the description. If it is the solanine that is the problem, make sure to not feed sprouting or potatoes with green under the skin. Although apparently some potatoes can contain toxic levels even if they don't have green under the skin, so probably best to stay away from them entirely just in case. Cooking the potato does destroy some of the solanine. Always store potatoes in the dark. Incidentally, the solanine is also toxic to humans.

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine[/url]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato[/url]
[url]http://www.uaf.edu/coop-ext/publications/freepubs/FGV-00337.html[/url]

Adoredaschunds September 10th, 2007 07:18 PM

Hi, are prawns and ham ok for kitties? I feed my three kitties - Sophie, Ellie and Flossie Teacake, on the 'Science diet' plan from our vets [I'm in the U.K] but they all love king prawns and ham [small quantities of course]

Cheers :)

want4rain September 11th, 2007 11:23 AM

i would worry abotu the salt in the ham but prawns are ok.

have you considered better food than Science Diet?? :)

-ashley

Adoredaschunds September 13th, 2007 10:48 PM

[QUOTE=want4rain;476405]i would worry abotu the salt in the ham but prawns are ok.

have you considered better food than Science Diet?? :)

-ashley[/QUOTE]

Hi, thanks for the reply. We were always told that this was the best plan for them. It's certainly the most expensive and proves really popular here in the UK. Do you not rate it? :)

oceanbreeze September 20th, 2007 08:21 PM

spinach bad for cats
 
I have heard that spinach is a food that is toxic to cats.

harmonie December 8th, 2008 03:18 AM

re: science diet
 
science diet is like a very expensive version of IAMs or purina. im in canada and its sold in alot of vets office next to the medi-cal. i have done alot of research on foods and now feed my cats and dog orijen and love it. its pretty much the next best thing to raw food. they will eat it over temptations treats anyday. One of my cats had allergies to alot of foods and was overweight, but this food is so biologically correct that its cleared up all of her exsema and shes back to a really good weight without me having to regulate how much which cat eats. they're furs been alot softer and oddly enough my allergies (yes im allergic to cats) have calmed down alot too. its quite reasonable aswell... about $18 canadian for a 2.5kg bag!:thumbs up

sugarcatmom December 8th, 2008 08:22 AM

[QUOTE=harmonie;708840]i have done alot of research on foods and now feed my cats and dog orijen and love it. its pretty much the next best thing to raw food. [/QUOTE]

Um, not exactly. Kibble, no matter who makes it or what they say on the packaging, is [I]not[/I] the next best thing to raw when we're talking about cats. It is still highly processed and it still contains a number of ingredients that obligate carnivores don't need. It's biggest drawback, however, is the lack of moisture. Cats have evolved getting all of their water requirements met through their food, aka mice and birds with 60-80% moisture. Kibble is 10% moisture or less. This recent phenomenon of feeding our cats only dry food is resulting in a whole host of subsequent medical conditions like bladder/urinary tract issues, kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.

So the next best thing to raw is actually canned. It's great that your cats are doing better on Orijen, but perhaps they'd thrive even more if they were eatiing wet food. [url]http://www.catinfo.org/[/url]

faranya December 8th, 2008 12:00 PM

I know that many natural-foods adherents do recommend kyolic garlic as a supplement for pets (cats or dogs) and that it acts to repel fleas. Because it is aged, the allicin is no longer present so it's not supposed to be harmful anymore. I used it in the powdered form sprinkled on canned food for all my cats awhile back, in small doses, and they thrived on it. I wanted an alternative to the usual flea-control chemicals. It's promoted as a tonic and systemic purifier as well.

Ironically, a year after I stopped giving them the garlic and gave in to using Advantage, Gollum did develop anemia owing to liver failure. He's a cardiomyopathy patient. But it wasn't garlic that caused it.

Regular garlic - especially fresh - is toxic to cats because of the allicin. Any member of this family - e.g. onion - will have similar components.

But it is best to get your vet's opinion on this subject.

Tundra_Queen December 8th, 2008 08:50 PM

Onions and garlic are in the same family so I don't feed any to my pets. Same as shallots and chives.

I do feed turkey and chicken cut in small pieces, sradines, tuna occassionally. Wellness canned too and Wellness Core. I buy Frishkies sometimes and even Special Kitty. The days they get that they get more raw food. When I'm able to go to the city two hrs away from me who sell Wellness I pick it up there. I only have a few choices of food in town here.

Debbie

flipgirl4 December 9th, 2008 01:53 AM

[QUOTE=mastifflover;74363]Here is the one that I found for cats.

Milk

Although milk is not toxic to cats, it may have adverse effects. Simply put, adult cats fed a nutritious diet don't need milk, and many cats are lactose-intolerant, which means that the lactose in milk and milk products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. If your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream may be okay, two or three times a week. (The more fat in the milk, the less lactose.) Another compromise is CatSip, a product made from skim milk with an enzyme added that helps the digestion of lactose. Catsip is available in supermarkets such as Safeway, Albertson's and A&P, as well as pet products chains, such as PetSmart and Petco.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info!

I have a stupid question for you...what if you gave a cat who is lactose intolerance a lactose-free milk? Would it then be okay to give a cat?

sirilucky April 15th, 2009 05:38 AM

Onions and Garlic is Poison For Pets!
 
Onions and garlic are other dangerous food ingredients that cause sickness in dogs, cats and also livestock. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger.

Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

At first, pets affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhoea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.

The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous whereas a ten-kilogram dog, fed 150 grams of onion for several days, is also likely to develop anaemia. The condition improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onion

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

adammo April 15th, 2009 11:38 AM

What about cheese? Would this be considered the same as milk? We are very careful not to give our cat very much cheese, but we have spoiled her a bit on occasion.

sugarcatmom April 15th, 2009 11:41 AM

[QUOTE=adammo;769235]What about cheese? Would this be considered the same as milk? We are very careful not to give our cat very much cheese, but we have spoiled her a bit on occasion.[/QUOTE]

Small amounts of cheese are a great treat.

Love4himies April 15th, 2009 11:42 AM

Cats can be lactose intolerant and not be able to handle milk products. I understand yogurt may be the exception as it is low in lactose.

Best thing to feed your cat: Meat, meat, meat, they are carnivores, not humans.

heart433 August 18th, 2009 07:38 PM

About the Garlic
 
Garlic in pill form or a clove or two chopped up in the food discourage fleas doesn't it? (Sry if it's been said already)

marko September 17th, 2009 03:09 PM

Both onions and garlic are on the aspcs'a list of foods to avoid feeding both cats and dogs. [url]http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/a-poison-safe-home.html[/url]

Dr. Lee and I did a podcast on this very topic [URL="http://www.pets.ca/blog/?p=50"]click here to take a listen from your computer (by clicking the embedded player on the following page).[/URL] He also agrees that both cats and dogs should avoid both garlic and onions.

SnuggleBunny January 23rd, 2012 11:15 PM

Goats milk? Ok for cats?
 
I know that normal milk, is not good for some cats & yes it gives mine diarrhea really bad. I then met a professional show persian breeder who told me her cats also loved milk, but had the same problem & what she did was give her cats goats milk, about twice a week just for a small treat, other breeders have done the same. She would set out a bowl & they shared it & probably each got a couple tablespoons with no problems. I tried the goats milk & between 7 cats, I use 1 pint a week as treat with no problem at all. Is goats milk an acceptable food or am I wrong is giving it?

sugarcatmom January 23rd, 2012 11:48 PM

[QUOTE=SnuggleBunny;1033189]Is goats milk an acceptable food or am I wrong is giving it?[/QUOTE]

Goat milk is totally acceptable (way better option than cow dairy). I sometimes give my cats goat yogurt and goat butter.


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