Human Foods Cats Must Never Eat

The most serious are onions, garlic, chives, leeks, and shallots, which damage red blood cells and can cause life-threatening anemia, even in small amounts or when cooked into broth. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to cats, and dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure.

Other foods to keep away include alcohol, raw bread dough, which ferments in the stomach and produces alcohol, xylitol sweeteners found in sugar-free gum and some peanut butters, and macadamia nuts. Raw fish and raw eggs can destroy thiamine and carry bacteria, and cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injury. Caffeine, avocado, and large amounts of dairy are also best avoided.

Some human foods are safe in small amounts, such as plain cooked chicken, plain cooked egg, and a spoonful of plain cooked pumpkin, but they should only be occasional treats and never replace a complete cat food. If you think your cat has eaten any toxic food, do not wait for symptoms. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline immediately, and bring the packaging or a note of how much was eaten. Early treatment saves lives.