Holiday Foods That Are Not Safe For Cats — What They Are and What to Do

The post Holiday Foods That Are Not Safe For Cats — What They Are and What to Do by Angie Bailey appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Holidays and food go hand in hand. All year long, we look forward to the festive spread of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and cookies … lots of cookies. Munching on these holiday goodies could have some adverse effects on our waistlines, but the impact of these human holiday foods on our cats has far worse possibilities. Take a look at some holiday foods that are not safe for cats, how to prevent any holiday food mishaps and what to do if your cat does ingest something potentially toxic.

Holiday Foods That Are Not Safe for Cats

Is that holiday dish safe for cats to eat? Consult our list below. Photography ©TatyanaGl | Thinkstock.

1. Turkey with spices. We often enhance the taste of turkey with spices, many of which don’t mix well with kitty’s system. If you do want to share a tiny bite of turkey with your cat, make sure it’s completely free of spices.
2. Turkey grease. Cats who ingest turkey grease, which is highly attractive to a cat’s taste buds, may experience diarrhea, vomiting and — more seriously — pancreatic inflammation.
3. Garlic and onions. These ingredients add zest to human foods, but cause digestive upset when eaten by cats. Eating onion on a regular basis has been known to cause anemia in felines.
4. Raisin breads and puddings or salads that contain grapes. Cats don’t usually seek these foods, and thank goodness because they can cause acute kidney failure.
5. Alcohol. Like humans, cats can get drunk and even suffer alcohol poisoning and liver failure. Keep those cups of spiked eggnog out of reach!
6. Poultry bones. These small bones (especially ones from chicken) may get stuck in a cat’s digestive tract and cause fatal damage.
7. Chocolate. We can’t imagine the holidays without tasty indulgences like chocolate. Although this dessert and treat ingredient is a crowd pleaser for the human set, it’s a definite no-no for kitties. Chocolate contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and nervous system stimulant which is eliminated slowly in cats. 

Important to note: This list is not exhaustive. For a more comprehensive list, check out the people foods to avoid feeding pets on ASPCA.org.

How cats ingest these toxic holiday foods in the first place

Cats are curious, stealthy and sometimes unpredictable — it can be difficult enough to track their moves during the daily routine of life. Add the chaos of the holidays and it’s nearly impossible. Visitors arrive and everyone eats, drinks and enjoys the holiday spirit. It’s only natural that people would leave plates of food and drinks on coffee tables and countertops, giving unattended kitties an open invitation to help themselves.

According to Jenna Mahan, RVT and director of claims for Embrace Pet Insurance, “Cats are notorious for jumping on counters and tables. While most holiday foods are not toxic to them, some can lead to indigestion and vomiting. We see an increase in the number of claims related to gastroenteritis, constipation, foreign body [ingestion] and lethargy during the holidays.”

Tips for preventing holiday food dangers for cats before they happen:

1. Place a note on your main serving table asking guests not to feed human foods to your cats.
2. Remove abandoned drink cups and plates containing food scraps.
3. Put leftovers away as soon as possible.
4. Take garbage bags out as soon they become full.
5. Place your kitty in a room behind a closed door if he’s likely to go after human food — or simply skittish around guests.
6. Teach your cat that counters and tabletops are off limits all year round. This will lessen the likelihood of counter cruising during holiday gatherings.
7. Make a habit of saying no if your cat begs for scraps.
8. Feed your cat prior to preparing holiday foods so he’s not looking for handouts later.

What to do if your cat ingests food that’s toxic or possibly toxic

If you see your cat has eaten possibly toxic food or is showing symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or anything else out of the ordinary, contact your vet. It’s an excellent idea to have the contact information for the closest 24-hour emergency clinic posted in a central area, like on the refrigerator. If you have a question about a particular food, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-ANI-HELP or 888-426-4435.

The holidays can be fun and festive when we keep kitty safety in mind. Now, go ahead and have that second (or third) Christmas cookie — we won’t tell. (Trying to stay away from those cookies? Here are three tips to prevent weight gain this holiday season >>)

Thumbnail: Photography ©Maryviolet | Thinkstock. 

This article was originally published in 2017.

Read more about the holidays and cats on Catster.com:

• 4 Ways to Keep Your Cat Active During the Holidays
• Holiday Stress and Cats: Tips to Keep Your Kitty Calm at Every Age
• Ask a Vet: The Top 7 Holiday Health Hazards for Cats

The post Holiday Foods That Are Not Safe For Cats — What They Are and What to Do by Angie Bailey appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.