When you\u2019re sitting at the dinner table and your cat comes ambling up, eagerly eyeing your meal, it can be tempting to slip him some of your food. It\u2019s important to know, though, that many human foods can be dangerous to in a cat\u2019s diet. Furthermore, human foods don\u2019t always contain the same nutrients as cat foods, and can contribute to weight gain or other dietary problems. It\u2019s important to understand cat nutrition\u00a0and where your own food fits into it.<\/p>\n
Chocolate:<\/strong><\/em> Cats don\u2019t have the same taste for sweets as dogs do, but it\u2019s just as important to keep them away from any chocolate treats. Chocolate contains certain ingredients, such as caffeine and theobromine, which can be very dangerous to cats. If your cat ingests chocolate, especially darker chocolates and cocoa powder, he can suffer from a range of symptoms, including agitation, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death.<\/p>\n Alcohol:<\/strong><\/em> The effects that alcohol has on humans are multiplied many fold for cats, due to their small size. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can have disastrous effects for your cat, including vomiting, disorientation, seizures, and death. It\u2019s important to keep any alcoholic drinks out of reach of your feline friend.<\/p>\n Onions:<\/strong><\/em> Any member of the onion family, which includes onions, garlic, chives, and scallions, among others, should not be a part of your cat\u2019s diet. These foods contain compounds that are damaging to your cat\u2019s red blood cells, and can cause anemia and other conditions. Concentrated forms, such as garlic powder, or onion soup mix, are more harmful, and should be kept away from your cat.<\/p>\n Bread Dough:<\/strong><\/em> Uncooked dough made with yeast can be very harmful to your pet if ingested. The yeast reacts with chemicals in your cat\u2019s stomach, causing it to expand dangerously.<\/p>\n Fish or Chicken Bones:<\/strong><\/em> Bones from animals tend to splinter and can cause internal lacerations if ingested. Make sure you don\u2019t give your cat any food with bones.<\/p>\n Some human foods are alright to give to your feline friend as a cat treat. Giving your pet table scraps is not a good habit to get into, but if you want to treat your cat from time to time with a little leftover salmon, turkey, or chicken, that\u2019s fine. Just make sure you don\u2019t give your cat a piece with bones or any other ingredients that could be harmful, like onions or garlic. Also, don\u2019t treat your cat too often, or they may come to expect to be fed your food.<\/p>\n You can also make cat treats\u00a0yourself, by mixing canned salmon or mackerel with fillers such as egg, bits of whole grain bread, milk, and other supplements for your cat\u2019s nutrition. These can include ground vegetables, cod liver oil, bone meal, and olive oil. Make sure you use everything in moderation.<\/p>\nHuman Treats for Cats<\/h3>\n