Cats are strict carnivores, and need essential nutrients like amino acids and taurine to avoid health concerns like blindness and heart problems. A diet rich in meat, fish and dairy helps cats get maximum nutrition, but what about the diet red flags they should avoid? Indianexpress.com spoke to pet experts and found out five items that should stay far away from your feline friend’s diet to ensure their health and longevity.
Dr Dilip Sonune, director of veterinary service at Wiggles, shared that chocolate tops the list of toxic foods for cats. Apart from chocolate, coffee and caffeine consist of a substance called methylxanthine. When ingested by cats, methylxanthine can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, panting, excessive urination or thirst, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, abnormal heart rhythm and sometimes even death. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is.
Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to cats and can even cause kidney failure. Even small amounts can prove to be fatal.
Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans contain high levels of fat and oil. These excessive fats can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and even pancreatitis in cats.
Ingestion of these ingredients can be the cause of gastrointestinal issues and could also lead to anaemia and red blood cell damage. Cats are more susceptible than dogs, but dogs can be at risk, too, if they consume large amounts of garlic, onions or chives.
Sugar and xylitol can be highly harmful to cats. Xylitol is used as a sweetener in products such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. Ingestion of sugar or xylitol causes a release of insulin, which can lead to liver failure. An increase in insulin can also cause your pet’s sugar levels to decrease, which is also known as hypoglycemia. Initial signs of xylitol poisoning can include vomiting, loss of coordination and lethargy. They can also progress to tremors and seizures.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult a health practitioner before starting any routine.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
