Top Fruits and Veggies Cats Should Avoid - Quick Guide

Vegetables Cats Should Avoid:

1. Onions, Garlic, and Scallions

Cats should never consume onions, garlic, or scallions due to their high content of thiosulphates. These compounds can damage a cat's red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as anemia (pale gums), loss of appetite, hematuria (urine that is orange to red in color), difficulty breathing, vomiting, and gastrointestinal discomfort. The toxic dose for cats is approximately 5g/kg of body weight.

Even when heated, the toxicity of allyl propyl disulphide remains, and it does not dissipate when dried or powdered. This means that onion powder and garlic powder are equally dangerous.

Other foods containing allyl propyl disulphide include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, radishes, mustard, bok choy, and chives. While broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes contain less of this compound than onions, they should still be given to cats in moderation.

2. Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Eggplants

Vegetables in the nightshade family, such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants, contain a compound called solanine. Sprouting potatoes also contain this toxin, which can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in cats.

Fruits Cats Should Not Eat:

First Category: Apples, Peaches, Plums, Cherries, and Apricots

The stems, leaves, and seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is highly toxic. Eating these can lead to cyanide poisoning in cats, resulting in symptoms like dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, shock, and even death. If you choose to offer these fruits to your cat, make sure to remove the seeds.

Second Category: Lemons, Oranges, Tangerines, and Grapefruits

Overall, citrus fruits should be avoided. The plants in this category contain citrus oil, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats. However, cats naturally dislike the taste of citrus fruits.

Third Category: Persimmons

The seeds of persimmons can cause gastrointestinal inflammation and intestinal obstruction in cats.

Fourth Category: Avocado

Avocados contain a chemical toxin called persin, which is harmless to humans but can have a significant impact on cats. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even difficulty breathing.

Fifth Category: Grapes and Raisins

Grapes are a definite nogo for both dogs and cats, as they can lead to kidney dysfunction. The lethal dose for cats is approximately 30g of raw grapes per kilogram of body weight. Even small amounts can cause illness, so it's best not to give them to your cat.