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Because we love our pets, we love to treat them with an occasional special snack! While cats may not gobble it up as quickly as dogs, cats enjoy a little indulgence, too; however, there are foods to avoid or limit when it comes to treating your feline friend.
Keeping your cat on a cat-friendly diet can prevent a lot of health issues. Most human foods are perfectly safe for cats, but others can pose a serious health risk which is why it’s important to limit human food to very rare occasions, if at all.
There are many human snacks that may seem harmless to cats but can cause severe illness or even death. In fact, there is so much misinformation about what cats can consume that many owners unintentionally give treats that can cause major health issues.
Next time your cat deserves an extra snack, refer to the lists below to make sure the treat does them good instead of harm.
7 Foods Your Cat Should Never Eat
Chocolate
Just like dogs, chocolate is also harmful to cats. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to cats.
Even the smallest amount can cause severe upset stomach, increased body temperature, rapid breathing or heart rate, and even seizures.
If your cat has chowed on any amount of chocolate, give your veterinarian a call immediately.
Onions, Chives, and Garlic
Onions, garlic, chives, and other members of the allium family can cause anemia in cats, damaging their red blood cells and causing nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Milk and Dairy Products
There are fewer things you might consider “quintessentially cat” than a litter of kitties gathered around a saucer of warm milk. Truth be told, most cats are lactose intolerant!
That means, any dairy product from cows, sheep, and goats can cause digestive issues and stomach upset in adult cats and kittens.
For kittens who are too young to eat solid foods, consult your veterinarian for specific formulas so it can get all the nutrients your cat needs.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause acute liver damage to dogs. The exact reason behind their toxicity in cats is still a mystery, but the risk is still too great to take a chance just for a special treat.
All cats are different, so it’s not guaranteed that your cat will experience kidney failure if ingested but keep the fruit in the fridge just in case.
Caffeine and Alcohol
Even the smallest amounts of alcohol or caffeine can be fatal to felines. Because cats’ stomachs are small, it doesn’t take much to cause a bout of nasty symptoms, like digestive upset, breathing troubles, disorientation, coma, and even death.
Keep open containers of these drinks away from cats and clean up spills immediately.
Tuna
What cat can’t eat Tuna?! Contrary to popular belief, tuna can be harmful to cats and should only be given as a special treat. Too much tuna can lead to mercury poisoning.
Cats are naturally attracted to Tuna because of its powerful smell and robust flavor. Since canned tuna is prepared for humans, it lacks the nutrients necessary in a cat’s diet.
Raw Meat or Eggs
Raw meat and eggs are just as dangerous for cats as humans. Raw meat, raw fish, and raw eggs are more likely to contain bacteria, like E. coli, salmonella, or parasites, some of which are resistant to antibiotics.
Additionally, an enzyme in raw fish works to destroy an essential B vitamin called thiamine. Without this vitamin, your cat can experience serious neurological problems and even lead to convulsions or coma.
There are many tasty treats cats can enjoy. It’s always best to stick to a vet-approved treat regime, but if you are going to feed your cat human food, make sure it’s a safe one.
If you have any questions about what foods your cat should or should not eat, give us a call.
Welcoming a new puppy is so exciting! It’s a fun time filled with lots of puppy snuggles, learning their personality, and lots of playtime!
But with a new puppy comes a lot of responsibility, and it’s important to be prepared for their arrival. Puppies require lots of care, attention, and stuff.
In fact, many experienced puppy owners describe a new addition as a lot like having a new baby. Many midnight potty breaks, early morning fussing, and lots of naps are in your future.
Before welcoming a new puppy into your home, you want to make sure you are fully prepared with the essentials. When selecting supplies for your new furry bundle, consider their breed, intended lifestyle, and their health and safety.
If you are in charge of the shopping list, let this checklist be your guide for all the essentials!Read More »
Thunderstorms can be very unsettling to animals. When we consider the impact of storms, we usually think of dogs as the ones who panic during loud events like thunderstorms or fireworks.
Cats have always been touted as the more independent house pet; however, just because they aren’t pacing, whining, or barking, like their canine friends, doesn’t mean storms or loud noises don’t affect them.
Cats may exhibit behaviors like being clingy, restlessness, or pacing. Also, these anxious behaviors may not seem out of the ordinary, especially if your cat seeks out a hiding space to ride out the storm.
While you can’t eliminate the threat of bad weather or loud noises, there are a few things you can do to maintain a calm environment when the time comes.
Keep in mind that it’s normal for animals to exhibit anxious behaviors during stressful situations, but if the behavior does not return to normal afterward, have a discussion with one of our veterinarians.Read More »
Here are some great tips on how to groom at home during a pandemic
Since in-person dog grooming appointments are off the table due to social distancing, we imagine your furry friend is in need of a serious spa day. Previously, most pet owners have relied on the professionals to trim, bathe and coif Fido’s fur, but now you have been left to your own devices.
Good hygiene – even in animals – is important to their health and well-being. Some breeds require regular grooming to maintain their typical coiffure, like poodles, shih tzus, and terriers. Other breeds like boxers, hounds, and beagles require less maintenance in the beauty department.
Regardless of your pup’s standard cut, a “maintenance” bath in between grooming appointments will keep your dog looking sharp and feeling good. And, you can do this all from the comfort of your own home.
Grab a few towels and roll your sleeves up! At-home grooming is easy to accomplish with a few tips from the professionals.Read More »
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I’m very comfortable leaving my dog at the daycare facility. The people are very caring and professional. My dog is so happy when he gets there that he can’t wait to get out the car which it turns gives me a sense of relief.
His health needs are provided by Tipp Vet who are excellent. In an emergency situation they immediately address my dogs needs. I’m thankful to the entire organization.
Today was my puppy's first day at Tipp to Tail for daycare. He goes to the Tipp City Veterinary Hospital for healthcare. When we arrived, Joy took excellent care of us. Joy answered all my questions and explained everything very clearly.
When I picked my puppy up , Haley brought him out and gave me a very detailed accounting of his day and how he did with his new human and canine friends.
It is clear that the staff here enjoys what they do and really care about their clients.
Our dogs love going and they saved our older dog's life when she had an allergic reaction 💕
My dogs love going whether for daycare or boarding. The staff here cares for them a great deal and you can tell when the dogs are racing to get inside! They came home after a day of boarding and haven’t moved since!
