Did you know that Perryville Pet Hospital carries a full line of both the Hill’s and the Royal Canin Prescription Diets for our patients? We’re big on making sure that your pets get the rid food for their breed and lifestyle. Even if you choose not to use a prescription diet, we’re still here to answer any questions you have about your pet’s diet, and what foods they should and should not be eating.

When you have a cat at home, you give up on privacy and the ability to put food “out of range.” Sometimes, it may just seem easier to give them a bite or leave a certain something on the counter without thinking twice about it. However, there are some human foods and drinks that you should keep far away from your cat! Some may surprise you, and some can cause serious health issues for your sweet kitty.

Here are some of the foods to be extra mindful of in your home:

Tuna – A cat fed a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can become malnourished, because the tuna doesn’t provide all the nutrients a cat needs. Additionally, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.

Dairy Products – Most cats are lactose intolerant and cannot process dairy foods. Give your cat too much milk, and she may have an upset stomach and diarrhea.

Grapes – Both grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats, which will sometimes reveal itself early on in the forms of vomiting and hyperactivity.

Onions, Garlic, Chives – Onions, garlic, and chives can all cause stomach upset in cats. And, regardless of the form of onion (powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated), it can break down your cat’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Alcohol – Alcohol has the same effect on a cat’s liver and brain that it has on humans. Just three teaspoons of whiskey could kill a 5-pound cat.

Caffeine – In large enough quantities, caffeine can be fatal for a cat, and there is no antidote. You’ll notice restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors if your cat has been poisoned by caffeine.

Chocolate – All kinds of chocolate, but especially dark, contain theobromine, which is toxic to cats.

Candy – The artificial sweetener xylitol can be found in candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods. In cats, it can cause a decrease in blood sugar and liver failure.

Raw Meat – Raw meats, including fish, can contain dangerous bacteria that can cause food poisoning in cats (and can also be dangerous for the humans in the house).

If your cat has ingested any of these items and something seems off, please call us immediately. You can also find emergency information on our website by clicking here.