Many cats are very picky eaters and are less likely to be interested in certain human foods than dogs.
Because a cat's digestive system is different from a human's, some foods can be very toxic and even deadly to them.
Let's look at foods that should never be given to cats.
If your cat accidentally ingests any of these, emergency veterinary treatment may be required and you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Onion and garlic
All members of the onion family (shallots, onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain a compound that can damage a cat's red blood cells if she eats large amounts. Some are more toxic than others, and cooking does not destroy the toxin.
While most cats probably wouldn't eat raw onion or garlic, even foods containing small traces can be dangerous. A special word of caution applies to baby food, which is often used to entice sick cats to eat. Some contain onion powder for flavor, so read labels carefully.
Chocolate
Although cats do not like sweets, some eat chocolate along with cookies, candies or other treats.
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. The darker the chocolate, the higher the theobromine level.
Moldy or spoiled food
Some molds can produce a variety of toxins that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological signs in your cat.
Raw dough
Dough made with live yeast can be extremely dangerous for cats. The stomach provides an ideal environment for yeast to grow.
This will cause the dough in your stomach to expand, which can be strong enough to cut off blood flow to the stomach wall and affect breathing.
It can also cause stomach rupture. As the yeast metabolizes the sugar in the dough, alcohol is formed, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Boiled bones
Chewing on raw bones can be a great way for your cat to keep her teeth clean, but never give her cooked bones as they can splinter and cause intestinal perforation.
