Holiday Food and Cats: What’s Safe and What’s Dangerous?
Everyone knows the holidays and food go hand in hand. Be it a turkey dinner, chocolates, or other snacks, your cat will be curious, at minimum, wanting to smell everything and maybe even take a bite.
While it may be tempting to let your cat join in on the feast, many popular holiday foods and ingredients can be surprisingly dangerous for them. Knowing what’s safe and what’s not is your job as a cat owner, so take some notes and make sure your home is as safe as possible, this year, for your kitty!
Common Holiday Foods Dangerous for Cats
Chocolate & Cocoa
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to cats; even a small amount can cause vomiting, rapid breathing, tremors, or even worse. On the plus side, most cats are not naturally drawn to eating chocolate or cocoa.
Onions, Garlic, & Chives
These ingredients, no matter how they are processed, be they fresh, cooked, powdered, or dried, can damage a cat’s red blood cells and lead to anemia. These basic ingredients are usually hidden in things like stuffing, gravies, soups and sauces. Since cats are drawn to salty and meaty flavours, you need to keep a close eye on your cat when around foods with these ingredients.
Alcohol & Fermented Foods
Cats are not meant to consume alcohol in any form. Even a few licks of wine, beer, or desserts with alcohol in them can lead to disorientation, breathing problems, and poisoning. Most alcoholic drinks will have too strong a smell to interest a cat, but some may be tempted to taste or interact with beer as they find the carbonation interesting, and the smell is less strong. Regardless, keep them away from these drinks.
Fatty Meats & Table Scraps
Ham, turkey skin, gravy, and buttery leftovers may seem harmless, but high-fat foods can upset your cat’s stomach, and too much of them can trigger pancreatitis. Cats in the wild aren’t eating extremely fatty, cooked or processed foods. Be deliberate and make sure whatever you do give them is in a small amount and low in fat.
Raisins, Grapes, and Currants
Often found in baked goods and trail mixes, these fruits can cause sudden kidney failure in cats. It’s best to keep them completely out of reach. Cats won’t naturally be drawn to the smell of these items, as they ignore most fruits in the wild, but the size and shape of them might catch their eye. If a cat starts playing with one, they may accidentally ingest it, and then the next step might be a trip to the vet.
Dairy-Based Treats
Despite the stereotype, most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Cream, milk, eggnog, and cheesy dishes can cause diarrhea and discomfort. Things like dairy-flavoured cat treats are fine, as they are designed for cats, specifically. Dairy designed for human consumption does not get along well with the average housecat.
Safe Holiday Foods for Cats
If you want to give your kitty something they’ll enjoy, that won’t make them sick, consider the following:
· Plain cooked turkey or chicken (no seasoning, skin, or bones)
· Treats made specifically for cats
· Freeze-dried meat treats made specifically for cats
· Cat-safe broth (low sodium, no onions or garlic)
· Wet food
You can even serve their regular meal on a special plate or at the same time the family sits down. Cats enjoy the routine and attention just as much as the food!