Dangerous Foods

Alcohol

Alcohol

Gastrointestinal Upset · Neurological Impairment · Hypothermia

Apple (seeds)

Malus spp.

Difficulty Breathing and Hyperventilation · Vomiting and Diarrhea · Muscle Tremors, Incoordination, and Seizures

Avocado

Persea americana

Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Abdominal Discomfort · Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas) · Labored Breathing (Dyspnea), Coughing, and Fluid Accumulation (Edema/Congestion)

Bones

Bones

Based on the provided sources and our conversation history, ingesting bones · Choking · Gastrointestinal Obstruction, Laceration, or Perforation

Caffeinated drinks / Soda

Caffeinated drinks / Soda

Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Increased Thirst and Urination · Severe Neurological Overstimulation

Candies

Candies

The symptoms a cat exhibits after ingesting candies depend primarily on the toxic ingredients present, most notably chocolate · Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Agitation, Hyperactivity, and Tremors

Cherries

Cherries

Difficulty Breathing and Hyperventilation · Vomiting and Diarrhea · Convulsions, Seizures, and Twitching

Chocolate

Chocolate

Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Increased Thirst and Urination (Polydipsia and Polyuria) · Severe Neurological Overstimulation

Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemons, pomelos)

Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, lemons, pomelos)

Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Stomach Upset · Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression · Skin Irritation and Allergic Reactions

Cocoa

Cocoa

Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Increased Thirst and Urination (Polydipsia and Polyuria) · Severe Neurological Overstimulation

Coffee

Coffee

Gastrointestinal Upset · Increased Thirst and Urination · Severe Neurological Overstimulation

Corn Cob

Corn

Based on the provided sources and our conversation history, the corn kernels themselves are actually safe for cats to eat in small amounts1. However · Gastrointestinal Obstruction (From Swallowing the Cob) · Aflatoxicosis (From Moldy Corn)

Garlic

Garlic

Because garlic is a member of the Allium family and contains potent organosulfur compounds, it causes symptoms very similar to onion toxicosis · Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, and Drooling · Lethargy, Weakness, and Depression

Green tomatoes

Green tomatoes

Green tomatoes, as well as the leaves and stems of the tomato plant · Severe Gastrointestinal Upset · Hypersalivation

Gum

Gum

Transient Salivation (Drooling) · Gastrointestinal Upset or Obstruction

Jelly

Vomiting or loose stools from sugary jelly (most common reaction) · Gastrointestinal Upset (From High Sugar/Carbohydrates) · Transient Salivation (From Xylitol in Sugar-Free Jelly)

Leeks

Leeks

Because leeks belong to the Allium genus, their toxicosis presents with the exact same clinical signs as onions, garlic · Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, and Loss of Appetite · Lethargy, Weakness, and Depression

Liver

Liver

While liver is not inherently toxic in small amounts · Abnormal Bone Development and Joint Pain · Dermatological Abnormalities

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts

While the specific mysterious toxin in macadamia nuts is most widely documented to cause severe clinical signs in dogs · Vomiting and Diarrhea · Abdominal Pain and Loss of Appetite

Milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products

Diarrhea · Flatulence, Bloating, and Abdominal Pain · Vomiting, Nausea, and Decreased Appetite

Onions

Onions

Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, and Loss of Appetite · Lethargy, Weakness, and Depression · Pale or Icteric Mucous Membranes (Jaundice)

Peaches

Prunus persica

Diarrhea and Loose Stools · Hyperventilation and Difficulty Breathing · Shock, Collapse, and Coma

Peanuts

Arachis hypogaea

Aflatoxicosis (From Moldy Peanuts) · Xylitol (From Peanut Butter) — Dog Hazard, Not a Cat Hazard · Sodium Ion Poisoning (From Salted Peanuts)

Persimmons

Diospyros

Intestinal Obstruction

Pistachios

Pistacia vera

Indigestion and Diarrhea · Renal Stress / Increased Kidney Burden

Plums

Plums

The symptoms a cat shows after ingesting or being exposed to plums, particularly the toxic pits · Difficulty Breathing and Hyperventilation · Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Abdominal Pain

Potato chips

Salt Toxicity (Hypernatremia) · Gastrointestinal Upset · Hemolytic Anemia (From onion/garlic-flavored chips)

Pretzels

Gastrointestinal Distress (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Polydipsia and Polyuria (Excessive Thirst and Urination) · Neuromuscular and Central Nervous Dysfunction

Pudding

Pudding

Gastrointestinal Upset (Diarrhea and Vomiting) · Pancreatitis · Restlessness, Muscle Tremors, and Seizures

Raw dough

Gastric Distension (Bloating) and Abdominal Pain · Neurological Impairment (Ataxia and Disorientation) · Respiratory Distress and Depression

Raw eggs

Raw eggs / Raw egg whites

Vomiting and Diarrhea · Dermatological Lesions and Coat Degradation · Lethargy and Fatigue

Raw fish

Raw fish

Based on the sources and our conversation history · Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Anorexia) · Severe Neurological Dysfunction (Ataxia, Seizures, and Ventriflexion)

Raw meat

Raw meat

Vomiting, Diarrhea, and Abdominal Pain · Gastrointestinal Obstruction or Laceration · Vitamin A Toxicity (Hypervitaminosis A)

Salt

Salt

If a cat ingests or is exposed to excessive amounts of salt without adequate access to fresh water · Severe Gastrointestinal Upset · Excessive Thirst and Urination

Scallions / Green onions

Scallions / Green onions

Because scallions (green onions) are members of the Allium genus · Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, and Drooling · Lethargy, Weakness, and Depression

Shallots

Shallots

Because shallots belong to the Allium genus · Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, and Loss of Appetite · Lethargy, Weakness, and Depression

Sugar

Regular refined sugar is not acutely poisonous to cats, but it is an inappropriate food that causes long-term health issues. However · Mild Gastrointestinal Upset (From Artificial Sweeteners) · Transient Salivation (From Xylitol Exposure)

Sunflower seeds (salted)

Helianthus annuus

Indigestion and Diarrhea · Sodium-Related Signs from Salted Seeds

Tea

Tea

Gastrointestinal Upset (Vomiting and Diarrhea) · Increased Thirst and Urination · Severe Neurological Overstimulation

Tuna

Tuna

While a tiny bite of plain, cooked tuna is generally safe as a rare treat, feeding a cat a diet heavy in tuna · Steatitis (Yellow Fat Disease) · Neurological Dysfunction (Methylmercury Poisoning)

Unripe or sprouted potatoes

Unripe or sprouted potatoes

Unripe or sprouted potatoes · Severe Gastrointestinal Upset · Neurological Deficits and Paralysis

Unripened pineapples

Pineapple

Oral pain and mouth irritation · Drooling (hypersalivation) · Vomiting

Walnuts

Walnuts

If a cat ingests walnuts, the primary risks arise from the physical properties of the nut and its high fat and fiber content · Gastrointestinal Upset · Pancreatitis