Want to give your cat a healthy treat or snack? Fruits and vegetables can be a great (and inexpensive) option. But some items in the produce aisle are actually quite dangerous for felines and can cause them more harm than good. You don’t want the wrong snack to make your cat vomit, upset his stomach or worse. Check out our photo gallery to find out which fruits and veggies to never feed your feline.
It’s also important to remember this: Always consult your vet before giving your pet a new food item, especially if he has a medical issue. And go easy on all treats and snacks as those extra calories add up.
Onions, Garlic and Chives
Onions, garlic and chives are not safe to give your feline.
These members of the Allium genus can
damage red blood cells, leading to life-threatening anemia. And if you think garlic
is a natural flea and tick remedy, think again. There’s no evidence that garlic
is an effective treatment, and it is not worth the harm it could cause your kitty.
Grapes and Raisins
Small, inexpensive and yummy, grapes and raisins seem like
they’d be the perfect healthy snack for cats. But these fruits can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and anecdotal reports suggest that they may cause a similar reaction in cats. Signs
of toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. To be safe, it’s probably best to stick with other options that are vet approved.
Uncooked Vegetables
Before you feed your cat safe veggies like carrots,
asparagus, broccoli, green beans or winter squash, reach for the steamer or
microwave and cook them. Cats risk choking on raw vegetables and can have
trouble digesting them.
