A lot of common foods people eat can actually be dangerous for cats.
Some cause mild problems, but others can lead to serious illness or worse. It’s important to know which foods are toxic to cats so you can keep them safe.
Cats react strongly to certain foods because of their unique bodies and eating habits.
Even a tiny bite of something unsafe can trigger a fast, severe reaction.
If you live with a cat, you really need to know what foods to keep out of reach.
Here’s a rundown of the most common foods that can poison cats and some easy advice to help you avoid accidents.
Common Foods That Are Toxic to Cats
Some foods you might have in your kitchen can really hurt cats.
A few damage their blood, others hurt their kidneys, and some mess with their nerves.
If you know which foods are risky, you can help protect your cat.
Onions, Garlic, and Allium Vegetables
Onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives, and scallions all belong to the Allium family.
These veggies have thiosulfates, which damage red blood cells in cats and cause anemia.
If a cat eats any of these, you might notice weakness, pale gums, vomiting, or trouble breathing.
Even a small taste, raw or cooked, can be a problem.
People sometimes think garlic is safer, but it’s actually more dangerous than onions in small amounts.
Always check ingredient labels and skip anything with onion or garlic, even in powdered form.
Chocolate, Coffee, and Caffeinated Products
Chocolate and anything with caffeine are bad news for cats.
The chemicals theobromine and caffeine overstimulate their heart and nerves, and cats just can’t handle them.
Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst offenders, but even milk chocolate or white chocolate can make a cat sick if they eat enough.
Watch for signs like restlessness, fast breathing, a racing heart, muscle shakes, vomiting, diarrhea, or even seizures.
Coffee and energy drinks can cause similar problems, even in tiny amounts.
Don’t let your cat have chocolate, coffee, tea, or anything with caffeine.
Grapes, Raisins, and Related Fruits
Grapes, raisins, and currants can cause kidney failure in cats.
Weirdly, nobody knows exactly why, but even a single grape can be dangerous.
Early signs to watch for are vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, and not wanting to eat.
These can get worse fast and lead to kidney issues.
Since there’s no known safe amount, it’s best to keep grapes, raisins, and currants out of reach.
Watch out for baked goods that might hide these fruits, too.
Alcohol and Fermented Foods
Alcohol and fermented things like raw yeast dough can seriously harm cats.
Even a tiny sip of alcohol can poison them.
Alcohol drops blood sugar and body temperature, and it can cause breathing trouble or brain damage.
If a cat gets into alcohol, you might see vomiting, confusion, trouble walking, or seizures.
Raw dough swells up in the stomach and makes alcohol as it ferments, which is a double whammy.
Keep all alcoholic drinks, raw dough, and anything with yeast or alcohol away from cats.
Other Human Foods That Should Be Avoided
Some foods people eat can upset a cat’s stomach or even poison them.
Others throw off their nutrition.
It’s worth taking a minute to check what’s safe before sharing snacks.
Milk and Dairy Products
A lot of cats can’t handle milk or dairy because they’re lactose intolerant.
If they eat cheese or drink milk, they might end up vomiting or with diarrhea and belly pain.
Even though cartoons show cats lapping up milk, most grown cats don’t have the enzyme to digest it.
Some cats might be okay with a little dairy, but it’s usually not worth the risk.
There are lactose-free treats made for cats if you want to give them something special.
If your cat gets loose stools after dairy, it’s a sign to stop.
Fresh water is always a better choice.
Raw and Undercooked Animal Products
Raw meat, fish, and eggs might seem natural, but they often carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.
These bugs can make cats sick, and they’re not great for humans who handle the food, either.
Raw fish can also break down thiamine, a vitamin cats need for their nerves.
If they don’t get enough, it can cause serious problems.
Raw eggs have avidin, which blocks biotin and can hurt skin and fur health.
Cooking meat and eggs kills these bacteria and fixes the vitamin problem.
Cats need nutrients from animal foods, but it’s safest to cook them well.
Fatty Foods, Bones, and Certain Meats
Greasy table scraps and fat trimmings can upset a cat’s stomach or even cause pancreatitis.
Too much fat over time is just a bad idea.
Bones, especially cooked ones, can splinter and choke a cat or hurt their insides.
Even raw bones can break teeth or carry bacteria.
Liver is healthy in tiny amounts, but too much can overload cats with vitamin A, which is toxic.
It’s okay as an occasional treat, but not every day.
Toxic Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts
Some fruits and veggies are just plain unsafe for cats.
Onions, garlic, and green tomatoes can destroy red blood cells and cause anemia.
Potatoes and raw dough can also be a problem.
Nuts like macadamia and walnuts can make cats weak, nauseous, or shaky.
Avocado has persin, which is toxic to many pets, cats included.
Citrus fruits and mushrooms sometimes cause vomiting and other bad reactions.
If your cat eats any of these, watch for drooling, vomiting, tiredness, or trouble breathing.
If you spot any of those signs, call your vet right away.
Don’t give cats foods with sugar, xylitol, or mystery spices either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cats can’t safely eat foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, or raisins.
These can cause serious health issues.
Symptoms can look different depending on what they ate, so it’s good to know what to watch for.
What are some common human foods that I should avoid giving my cat?
Skip chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, and caffeine.
These can poison cats or mess up their organs and digestion.
Can chocolate be dangerous for my cat’s health?
Absolutely.
Chocolate has theobromine, which is toxic.
Even a little bit can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fast breathing, or even seizures.
Are there any fruits or vegetables that could harm my kitty?
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure.
Onions, garlic, and leeks damage red blood cells.
Best to keep all of these away from cats.
Is it safe for cats to eat foods containing garlic or onions?
No, garlic and onions are toxic.
They attack red blood cells and can cause anemia.
Even a small amount in food can make a cat sick.
What symptoms should I look out for if I think my cat has eaten something toxic?
Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, trouble breathing, drooling, or seizures.
If you see any of these, get your cat to the vet right away.
How do I keep my cat safe from accidental ingestion of harmful foods?
Put all toxic foods somewhere your cat can’t reach.
Store leftovers in sealed containers or cabinets.
Let everyone in your home know what foods cats shouldn’t eat.
Try to keep an eye on your cat when you’re eating or snacking.
Want more info? Check out this article on household food items toxic to dogs and cats.