What foods are toxic to cats?

Cats are much more metabolically sensitive than dogs to many common foods and substances. Their liver lacks certain detoxification enzymes that dogs and humans have, making them uniquely vulnerable to toxins that other species can handle.

Highly toxic — always dangerous

- Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots — all members of the Allium family cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, leading to haemolytic anaemia. Dangerous in all forms: raw, cooked, powdered, and dehydrated. Garlic powder is particularly concentrated. Even small amounts eaten repeatedly can accumulate to a toxic dose.
- Grapes and raisins — cause acute kidney failure. The toxic compound is unknown. There is no established safe dose for cats.
- Xylitol — this artificial sweetener causes rapid hypoglycaemia (blood sugar crash) and liver damage. Found in sugar-free gums, some peanut butters, dental products, and many diet foods.
- Alcohol — cats metabolise alcohol extremely poorly. Even a teaspoon of spirits can cause serious harm.
- Caffeine — coffee, tea, energy drinks, and caffeine pills cause tachycardia (rapid heart rate), tremors, and seizures.
- Theobromine (chocolate) — less commonly eaten by cats (they cannot taste sweetness), but toxic if consumed.

Specific to cats

- Raw salmon and tuna as a dietary staple — high mercury content and thiaminase enzyme (destroys vitamin B1). Neurological symptoms (tilted head, loss of balance, seizures) from thiamine deficiency. Cooked fish in moderation is safer.
- Dog food — not acutely toxic but nutritionally dangerous long-term. Cats fed dog food exclusively will develop taurine deficiency, causing heart disease and blindness.
- Raw dough with yeast — expands in the stomach and produces alcohol during fermentation
- Milk and dairy — not toxic, but most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Causes diarrhoea and digestive upset.

Common household dangers

- Lily plants (Easter lily, tiger lily, daylily) — cause acute kidney failure from even tiny amounts of pollen or water in the vase. Extremely dangerous for cats.
- Acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol) — even half a tablet can be fatal to cats

If your cat eats something toxic

1. Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately
2. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed
3. Bring the product or plant name with you

Flovvi tip

Take a photo of the suspected toxic substance and log the incident time in Flovvi. If you need to visit an emergency vet, this information helps them act faster.