Clearly, one of the most important things a cat owner must do is ensure their little buddy has access to health and tasty foods. Unfortunately, many of the foods you find delicious are not at all healthy for your pet. This makes food one of the most important safety topics for pet owners. If your pet ingests any of these big no-nos, it is probably a good idea to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

1. Chocolate
Just like dogs, cats cannot eat chocolate. Chocolate contains methylxanthine, which can cause dehydration, diarrhea, seizures and possibly death. The same rule applies to coffee and anything else that contains cacao seeds.

2. Alcoholic Beverages
A cat that drinks alcohol could face death, but even the less severe symptoms are not appealing: lack of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea and labored breathing.

3. Grapes
Grapes are known to cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs. It is essential that your pets avoid eating grapes (and raisins), especially if they have other health issues.

4. Raw Meat
You might think that raw meat is a good choice for kitty, but it can actually be harmful for your pet. Salmonella and E. coli are both found in raw and undercooked meat, leading to your cat’s inability to absorb essential vitamins.

5. Onions and Garlic
As tasty as these foods can be, they are toxic to cats. They may cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract and red blood cells.

6. Milk
Contrary to popular belief, milk is not good for adult pets. Adult cats cannot break down lactose, giving them digestive troubles.

Bringing your cat to the vet on a regular basis is important, but it is even more important that you know who to take your pet to in the case of an emergency. Contact us to learn more about healthy foods for your cat as well as for information about keeping your pets healthy and safe.