Chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, alcohol and products containing the sweetener xylitol are among the things cats should never eat. The same goes for raw dough, grapes and raisins, as well as a range of human meals that are far more heavily seasoned and salted than a cat's body is designed for. The cat is a predator with a short, specialised digestive system, and precisely for this reason there are foods that are harmless to us but that strain the cat. Here you get a concrete overview of what you should keep out of paw and nose reach, and why it matters, so you can safely set up your kitchen with your cat in mind.
If you become unsure, or your cat gets hold of any of the items below, a vet is always the right one to call. This article gives you the overview, but it does not replace a professional when your cat's health is at stake.
Chocolate, coffee and other things that contain caffeine
Chocolate is one of the best-known dangers, and with good reason. Cocoa contains the substance theobromine, which cats break down far more slowly than humans do, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Coffee, tea, energy drinks and other caffeinated products belong in the same category. A cat rarely seeks out chocolate on its own, but it may lick a left-behind cup or snatch a crumb from the table, and therefore both chocolate and coffee cups should be kept out of reach. If your cat gets hold of something anyway, it is a situation where you should contact your vet rather than wait and see how things develop.
Onions, garlic, leeks and spring onions
The entire onion family is problematic for cats, whether raw, cooked, dried or powdered. This applies to ordinary onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and spring onions. It is worth being extra attentive, because onions and garlic often hide in ready meals, sauces, soups and spice blends where you don't think about it. A cat that gets a bite of your pasta sauce or licks a plate clean can therefore end up with more onion inside it than you would think. So keep both the raw ingredients and the prepared dishes to yourself, and refrain from using human food seasoned with onion or garlic as an occasional treat.
Grapes, raisins and other dangerous fruits
Grapes and raisins should be kept completely away from the cat. Few cats go for fruit on their own, but raisins often appear in cakes, muesli and baked goods that a curious cat may decide to taste. Also avoid giving the cat stones and pits from fruits such as peach, plum and apricot. If you have a cat that loves to investigate everything on the kitchen counter, the best solution is simply to clear the fruit bowl out of the way and wipe up after yourself, so there are no temptations left out.
This is why milk is not the treat many people think it is
The image of the cat with a bowl of milk is deeply ingrained, but in fact most adult cats don't tolerate milk very well. As the kitten grows older, it slowly loses the ability to break down the milk sugar lactose, and the result can be an upset stomach. Milk is therefore not the loving indulgence it appears to be. If you want to spoil your cat, a treat developed for cats is a far better choice. In our cat delights you will find treats created with the cat's digestion in mind, so you can give a little reward without straining the stomach. Fresh, clean water is and remains the cat's most important drink.
Raw dough, alcohol and xylitol
Raw yeast dough is dangerous because it continues to rise in the warm stomach, and because fermentation produces alcohol. Alcohol in any form never belongs with a cat, not even the small amounts that can hide in desserts and liqueurs. The sweetener xylitol, which is found in certain sugar-free products, chewing gum and baked goods, must likewise be kept completely away. What these have in common is that they are rarely found in the cat's natural surroundings, but on the other hand they can end up in the bowl if you share human food without thinking about the contents. The simplest rule is to refrain from giving the cat leftovers from the table and instead stick to food made for cats.
Raw fish, raw meat and small bones
Even though the cat is a predator, raw fish and raw meat are not without risk. Raw fish can contain bacteria and parasites, and cooked bones, not least from chicken and fish, can splinter and cause problems in the mouth, throat and stomach. Leftovers of fried or boiled food from our own plates are also often too fatty, too salty or too heavily seasoned for a cat. This does not mean that meat and fish are harmful in themselves — on the contrary, animal protein is absolutely central for the cat. The point is that the ingredients must be clean, safe and put together with the cat's needs in mind. If you want to read more about what a cat's diet should consist of, you can dive into our guide what should cat food contain
How to secure a healthy alternative for your cat
The most reliable way to avoid the dangerous foods is to give the cat meals that are put together for it from scratch. At ESSENTIAL FOODS our cat meals are prepared with human-grade ingredients and fresh raw materials, so you don't have to guess what is safe. In our cat food you will find meals created for the cat's nature as a predator, with a high content of animal protein and a taste that cats love. Meals such as the Panther and the Jaguar are cooked with exquisite ingredients, and our pate 400g cans give a juicy, well-prepared alternative when you want to vary your cat's meals. If you have a kitten in the house, kitten is the place to begin, and if you share your home with a meals for senior cats, you will find meals adapted to life in the golden years.
When your cat has got hold of something anyway
Even in the best-arranged home, accidents can happen. A left-behind plate, a guest who shares a bite without knowing better, or a cat that jumps up on the table in an unguarded moment. If your cat gets hold of something this article warns against, the most important advice is simple: call your vet and describe what the cat has eaten, how much and when. Don't wait for something visible to happen, because it is the vet who can assess the seriousness and act correctly. If, on the other hand, you are in doubt about the feeding itself — what your cat should eat, how much and how to put together its meals — ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutrition advisers are ready on phone, chat and email and are happy to help you find the right everyday routine for your particular cat.
Knowing what cats should not eat is ultimately about making everyday life safe. When you know the traps — the chocolate, the onion, the grapes, the milk and the rest — and at the same time give your cat meals that are put together for it, you have laid the foundation for a long and healthy life for your cat, where you can enjoy its company without worrying about what has just landed on the floor.