5 Things you should absolutely not feed your cat.

If you own a cat, you know exactly how finicky they are. They go as far as turning up their nose at a particular brand of wet food. And when you go and get your cat’s favourite food brand, he or she just refuses to eat it for mysterious reasons. You raise your hands up in defeat. What we, as cat owners don’t realize is that they are finicky eaters for a reason. The list of foods that are unsuitable for them are random and surprising.

Here are 5 foods you should absolutely not feed your cat, ever.

Raw Fish

Contrary to what cartoons tell you about the cat gobbling a raw fish and spitting out just the bone, raw fish is essentially toxic to cats. It contains thiaminase which breaks down into thiamine (an essential B vitamin) that is safe for humans but causes convulsions and neurological problems in cats.

Dairy

Yes, kittens do need milk but adults cats are lactose intolerant. Dairy products cause diarrhoea and vomiting in adult cats, while kittens should always consume a combination of milk and bread.

Tuna

As tempting as it may be to open a can of tuna and feed it to your feline companion (cats love fish, right?), it should be avoided at all costs. Even a small amount of tuna can upset a cat’s stomach. Prolonged feeding of tuna can cause a painful condition called steatitis.

Chocolate

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate contains a compound called theobromine which in cats can lead to muscle tremors, arrhythmia, or seizures. Caffeine is also quite dangerous to cats as it can cause tremors and palpitations.

Garlic and Onions

If your cat happens to consume garlic, then it will lead to some serious stomach issues for your poor kitty. This applies to all members of the allium family, including onion, garlic, ramps, chives, scallions, shallots and leeks.