Toxic Foods for Cats
A guide to foods and substances dangerous for cats
Dangerous Foods & Items Reference
Lilies (True Lilies & Daylilies)
Common Sources:
Lily flowers, petals, pollen, leaves, stems and vase water
Why Dangerous:
Very highly toxic to cats. Even small amounts can cause fast kidney failure.
Action:
Contact a veterinarian immediately, even if the cat only chewed or brushed against it
Human Painkillers
Common Sources:
Paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin
Why Dangerous:
Very dangerous for cats, even in small doses. Watch for drooling, vomiting, pale gums and breathing difficulty.
Action:
Contact a veterinarian immediately. Do not give any human painkiller unless a vet has said to.
Antifreeze
Common Sources:
Antifreeze and coolant containing ethylene glycol
Why Dangerous:
Sweet-tasting and fatal in small amounts. Signs appear within hours, including drinking more, wobbling and vomiting.
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Essential Oils
Common Sources:
Tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, citrus and wintergreen oils, and some dog flea and tick products containing permethrin
Why Dangerous:
Cats cannot process many of these properly, and permethrin can be fatal to cats.
Action:
Contact a veterinarian promptly
Onions, Garlic & Chives
Common Sources:
Onion, garlic and chives, raw, cooked or powdered, and foods that contain them
Why Dangerous:
Can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Signs can be delayed by 1 to 3 days, so a cat can look well at first. Watch for weakness, pale gums, fast breathing and vomiting.
Action:
Contact veterinarian immediately
Grapes & Raisins
Common Sources:
Fresh grapes, raisins and foods that contain them
Why Dangerous:
Kidney harm is established in dogs. Evidence in cats is limited, so avoid as a precaution. Watch for vomiting, reduced appetite and changes in thirst or urination.
Action:
Contact veterinarian promptly
Chocolate, Coffee & Caffeine
Common Sources:
Chocolate, cocoa, coffee grounds or beans, tea, energy drinks and caffeine products
Why Dangerous:
Can overstimulate the heart and nervous system. Watch for restlessness, vomiting, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors and seizures.
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Alcohol
Common Sources:
Beer, wine, spirits and alcohol-containing foods or drinks
Why Dangerous:
Can depress the nervous system and affect breathing. Watch for wobbliness, sleepiness, vomiting and slow or difficult breathing.
Action:
Urgent veterinary advice
Raw Yeast Dough
Common Sources:
Unbaked bread, pizza and pastry dough
Why Dangerous:
Can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol. Watch for a swollen belly, retching, weakness and wobbliness.
Action:
Contact veterinarian immediately
Cooked Bones
Common Sources:
Cooked chicken, fish and other bones
Why Dangerous:
Can splinter or cause choking, blockage or injury. Watch for gagging, drooling, vomiting, belly pain and trouble passing stool.
Action:
Do not induce vomiting. Contact a veterinarian promptly if swallowed, even if your cat seems well.
Raw Meat & Eggs
Common Sources:
Raw meat, raw eggs and raw meat-based diets
Why Dangerous:
Can carry harmful bacteria. Raw meat can also carry Toxoplasma. Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and low energy.
Action:
Contact a veterinarian if illness develops
If Your Cat Eats Something Toxic
Do This Immediately
- Contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic without delay
- Do not wait for symptoms to appear
- Have the product packaging or information ready
- Know how much your cat weighs
- Be prepared to describe what was eaten and when
Do NOT
- Induce vomiting unless instructed by a veterinarian
- Give home treatments or remedies
- Wait to see if symptoms develop
- Assume "just a little bit" is safe
- Delay seeking professional help
Questions About Cat Nutrition & Safety?
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