Top 2 Foods Cats Should Avoid: A Quick Guide

It's important to avoid feeding cats a diet that includes liver and carrots together.

Research indicates that the ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in a cat's diet is 1 to 1. However, the ratio in fresh liver is 1 to 36, which means that if cats consume liver regularly, they can suffer from severe calcium deficiencies.

Moreover, liver is rich in vitamin A, while carrots are packed with betacarotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body. Over time, feeding cats a diet high in these two can lead to vitamin A toxicity.

It's also crucial to limit the frequency of feeding fish to cats. Longterm fish consumption can result in a deficiency of vitamin B1, which can cause seizures, heart disease, intermittent shock, and even death. Eating raw fish without proper deworming can introduce unwanted parasites, leading to issues like jaundice and hepatitis.

Liver disease can further lead to ascites (abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) and nephritis, which are considered catastrophic illnesses in cats.

While it's generally fine to give cats shrimp occasionally, it's essential to remember that each cat's digestive system is unique. Some cats may have difficulty digesting highprotein foods, leading to vomiting and digestive upset.

Cats should consume seafood sparingly, as it can easily cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and vomiting. Seafood can also trigger allergies in many cats, manifesting as red, itchy skin, bumps, and even redness of the mucous membranes. Even cooked seafood isn't safe, as some allergens cannot be destroyed by heat and may still cause an allergic reaction. Severe allergic reactions can be lifethreatening for cats.

It's best to keep these foods out of your cat's reach:

1. Garlic and onions: These contain compounds that can damage red blood cells, leading to anemia and potentially death in cats;

2. Raw squid and octopus: These can swell to ten times their size in the stomach, causing indigestion and potentially leading to gastric dilation;

3. Highsodium foods: These can harm the stomach lining and put stress on the heart and kidneys, affecting longevity;

4. Sweet treats, coffee, and tea: These can lead to heart disease and dental tartar, and chocolate can be toxic to cats;

5. Human milk: This can cause diarrhea, so it's especially important to be cautious with adult cats. Lactosefree milk may be an option;

6. Grapes and raisins: These contain toxins that can harm the kidneys.