Foods Toxic to Cats: The Guide

We often assume that cats are a little hardier than dogs, especially those who are used to roaming outside and getting into all kinds of scrapes, or bringing home the odd bird or mouse. Cats have about as many foods that are considered toxic to them as dogs (check out our guide to what foods dogs cannot eat), and many of them are even the same. Cats have evolved to be great hunters; their digestive system isn’t upset by these things but their stomachs are often ill-prepared for many human foods, so we should avoid feeding them where we can.

Your moggy might get away with stealing something that is bad for them from time to time, but too much food that is bad for them can lead to toxicity. Toxicity can initially go unnoticed and look like your furry friend is just a little more lethargic than normal. It can escalate quickly within a matter of hours, though, and go from lethargy to confusion to seizures or even death. As soon as you notice any abnormal behaviour after ingesting something they shouldn’t have, you should contact your vet.

Symptoms of toxicity to look for include:

The first thing your kitten ever drinks is milk so it’s perfectly understandable that many owners assume that dairy products are a good choice for a special treat for their moggy, but cheese, milk and cream should ideally be avoided.

A mother’s milk is very different to giving your feline friend cow’s milk. Cats are generally lactose intolerant. Their digestive system is not built to process lactose, so too much of it can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. A small amount may go down without issue, however there are better options than reaching into your fridge for the milk or cheese. Cat milk like Whiskas Catmilk contains much less lactose than cow’s milk, it’s specially made to be safe to drink so if your moggy loves the taste of milk, you can give them an alternative.

There are plenty of cat treats available that are just as tasty as cheese and better for your pet. You can even find cheese-flavoured treats like Dreamies Mega Tub Cheese so your cat doesn’t miss out! 

If your furry friend is suffering from any reactions to eating dairy, having first aid close by so you can treat very minor issues like skin irritations can save you a trip to the vet.

Just like with our canine companions, grapes and raisins should be at the top of the list of foods to avoid. They tend to taste quite sweet which can tempt your moggy into sneaking a little taste, but even a small amount can cause a severe digestive upset.

The more they manage to gobble, the more serious their reaction might be. Eating grapes or raisins can lead to kidney failure in some cases, which once contracted cannot be cured.

Early symptoms of your moggy eating grapes and raisins will start with a stomach upset. They might have vomiting or diarrhoea, and they will likely stop eating and be restless or lethargic, so if your kitty has come into contact with them, keep a close eye for these signs.

Cherries should also be avoided as they’re toxic to your feline friends. Any citrus fruit like lemons, limes and grapefruit might not be as dangerous: they won’t cause any severe illnesses but cats’ digestive systems are not very good at processing citrus so they will almost always cause an upset stomach.

There are many human foods that we can share with our cats. If you’re making a Sunday roast, then feeding them some cooked meat can be a perfect treat. There are many fruits and vegetables that can be beneficial to your moggies.

Blueberries, cranberries and watermelon can make excellent sweet treats to mix into your feline friend’s diet. Cats can eat many different greens like broccoli, asparagus and carrots but aren’t always overly interested in veggies.

Other foods you should avoid sharing with your kitties include:

If you have a multi-pet household, you may catch your cat trying their luck and stealing some of your dog’s food. While this isn’t a worry if you notice it once or twice, if your moggy’s diet becomes predominantly dog food, then you may need to manage their eating habits a little differently. While dog and cat food contain many of the same ingredients, cats need a higher protein content along with more vitamin A and taurine, which comes from meat. A cat fed on dog food long-term will become malnourished from not getting the right nutrition they need. While dogs can technically survive on a vegetable-based diet, it’s impossible for your cat to.

To make sure your cat has the best of the best, take a look at our range of safe and healthy cat food to spoil your beloved pets.