Cats can be your truest feline friend. The most appealing quality of cats is that they are low maintenance, unlike dogs. But having a cat requires proper health care also. Many food items are harmful to cats’ health so you should avoid feeding them certain food items. Many people think cats can eat nutritional food like humans but not every food item is good for them. If you are also concerned about your cat’s health then we are here to assist you with information related to the cat’s health and diet.
About the Health of a Cat
If you want your cat to live an active life then you need to take care of its health. Another thing you need to take care of is the environment in which you keep your cat which is also important. To keep your cat healthy you need to provide it with suitable meals, water, a clean and comfortable bed, grooming, and also have it neutered between 4 and 6 months old.
Cats are strictly carnivorous animals that need meat to stay healthy. Cats can’t eat everything which humans can eat. So you have to be careful what you feed to your cat. Dry food doesn’t attain their needs as much wet food can. Cats are meat eaters as they need to have protein from meat for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system. You can also feed them with canned food.
Things you should Avoid to Feed a Cat
Many people give their cats the odd milk treat but you may be surprised to know that milk is not good for cats. Furthermore, here are two things which you should strictly avoid giving to a cat:
· Cats are Lactose Intolerant
You may have noticed that if you give your cat a dash of milk, they would have an upset stomach. The reason behind this is Lactose Intolerant Cats. The body of most cats does not process the lactose present in the milk and other daily products. This can result in digestive problems in them. This is commonly seen in adult cats when they have been weaned from their mother’s milk. This means even if they ask you for a sauce of cream, milk, or a bite of cheese, you should not give these items to them regularly.
Interestingly, once cats grow up their body becomes lactose intolerant and they stop being able to process the lactose in all types of milk. This could cause severe abdominal pains and other gastrointestinal issues in your cat. This will include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and other signs of distress as lactose badly reacts to your cat.
Moreover, there are some easy ways to tell if your cat is lactose intolerant or not. If your cats show some signs of lactose intolerance then don’t give them milk or dairy products. And if they do not show any sign then also remember that they are still lactose intolerant because it is not a factor that applies to certain cats but every cat.
However, you can give them milk or blue cheese in a small quantity as too much quantity of dairy products can be harmful to them when given them regularly. So overall, cats should not be given a bowl of milk, cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, blue cheese, yogurt, or any other dairy products.
· Don’t give them Avocado
As we all know, there are many benefits of eating avocado in humans. Avocados are a great source of potassium, magnesium, folate, and other essential minerals. Many people think if an avocado is beneficial for humans then it will be good for animals too but it is not so. However, you should avoid feeding or allowing your cat to eat avocado in any form. Avocado for Cats contains Persin which is a harmful toxin for both cats and dogs. This can make your cat ill.
If your cat consumes a small amount of Avocado then it will feel sick for a few hours to a couple of days. Symptoms of eating Avocado by cats will cause them an upset stomach that includes diarrhea and vomiting. But if it has consumed a large amount of Avocado then you should visit your Veteran. As it has serious symptoms. These symptoms include difficulty defecating, labored breathing, inability to swallow, fever, racing heartbeat, and abdominal swelling.
So if your cat is showing any of these blockage symptoms after consuming avocado then contact your veterinarian immediately. If your cat has eaten avocado-based guacamole then it also contains garlic, onion, or tomato which is toxic to cats so it can result in toxicity. In that case, you should have your cat seen by a veterinarian urgently.
There are many vegetables that you can safely give to your cat as an alternative to avocado that includes green bell pepper, carrot, zucchini, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin, and celery.
The final words
Many food items are healthy for humans but whatever you eat you cannot feed them to your cat as it can result in health issues in them. Like most people feed their cats with milk but grown-up cats are lactose intolerant. Moreover, not all vegetables like avocado can be eaten by cats so you should give your cat food items as per the advice of your veterinarian. We hope that now as you know what items can be harmful to your cat, you will be more careful. Further, if any problem occurs then contact your vet immediately.