Dangers

Caring for a cat means watching out for a few sneaky dangers — let’s talk about how to protect your furry friend.

Which human foods should be avoided?
Which common plants are poisonous?
Which common objects found in your home are dangerous?

🐾 Which Human Foods Should Be Avoided?

It’s hard to say “no” to those big, pleading Devon Rex eyes staring at you while you’re enjoying a snack. They expect you to share — and we want to make them happy! But sometimes, sharing isn’t loving if the food could harm them. Here are some common foods that are unsafe for cats and should be kept off the menu:

• • Too much tuna: While cats may love it, tuna contains mercury. Feeding it regularly can lead to mercury buildup, which is toxic over time.

  • Onions, garlic, and chives: In any form — raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated — these can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia.

  • Dairy products: Many cats are lactose-intolerant, and milk or cheese can cause stomach upset or diarrhea.

  • Alcohol: Even tiny amounts (including in foods or desserts) can be life-threatening. It can cause severe intoxication, coma, and even death.

  • Grapes and raisins: These can cause kidney failure, even in small amounts.

  • Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, energy drinks, and chocolate, caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors, and heart problems.

  • Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to cats. It can cause abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and can be fatal.

  • Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and candy): This artificial sweetener can lead to insulin spikes, causing vomiting, weakness, seizures, and liver failure.

  • Fat trimmings: While it might seem like a treat, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis.

  • Bones: Cooked or raw, bones can splinter, causing choking or serious damage to the digestive tract.

  • Raw eggs: Risky due to potential E. coli or salmonella, and also interfere with vitamin B absorption.

  • Raw meat and fish: May carry harmful bacteria, and raw fish contains enzymes that destroy thiamine — an essential vitamin for cats.

  • Dog food: An occasional nibble is okay, but dog food lacks vital nutrients that cats need and can lead to malnutrition if eaten regularly.

  • Liver (in excess): A small amount occasionally is fine, but too much can cause vitamin A toxicity.

  • Uncooked yeast dough: It can rise in your cat’s stomach, causing painful bloating and potentially producing alcohol as it ferments — both dangerous outcomes.

  • Macadamia nuts and walnuts: These are known to be toxic to dogs, and while effects on cats aren’t well documented, it’s safest to avoid them.

  • Medications: Human medicine should be kept locked away. Even small amounts can poison a cat just like they would a child.

🌿 Which Common Plants Are Poisonous to Cats?

Cats love to nibble on leaves and stems — sometimes out of curiosity, sometimes just for fun! But not all plants are safe for our feline friends. Some can be toxic, even in small amounts.

Click the links below to learn more about common houseplants and garden plants that could be harmful to your cat.

• ASPCA
• PetMD
• Humane Society
• Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA)

🏠 Which Common Household Items Are Dangerous to Cats?

Cats have a talent for turning just about anything into a toy — but not everything they play with is safe. Some everyday objects around your home can pose hidden risks to your curious feline.

Let’s take a look at which common items can turn from fun to hazardous, and how to keep your cat safe from them.

🧵 String-like Items

• Yarn, thread, ribbon, dental floss
  Can be swallowed, leading to intestinal blockages or choking.

🪫 Small Objects

• Rubber bands, paper clips, safety pins, push pins, needles, hair ties, buttons, screws, nails, earrings, wire-based twisty ties found on bread bags, plastic strip on milk containers
  East to swallow and can cause choking or internal injury

🧴 Cleaning Products

• Bleach, disinfectants, toilet bowl tablets, floor cleaners
  Toxic if licked off paws or consumed directly. Always store securely.

🌬️ Essential Oils & Diffusers

• Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus oils
  Can be toxic when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

🔌 Electrical Cords

• Chewing cords can lead to electric shock or burns. Use cord protectors or deterrent sprays.

💊 Medications

• Both human and pet meds
  Even a small dose can be fatal. Keep pills and ointments locked away.

🔥 Candles & Open Flames

• Cats can burn their paws, singe their fur, or knock over candles accidentally.

🎄 Holiday Decorations

• Tinsel, ornaments, lights, and fake snow
  Can be choking hazards or toxic if ingested.

🧼 Laundry Products

• Detergent pods, fabric softener sheets
  Contain chemicals that are harmful if licked or chewed.

🚬 Tobacco & Vapes

• Cigarettes, nicotine gum, vape juice
  Highly toxic to cats, even in very small amounts.

🚿 Bathroom Hazards

• Razors, hairpins, cotton swabs, floss
  Can injure or obstruct if swallowed.

🪟 Windows Without Screens

• Curious cats may fall from open windows if screens aren’t secure — known as “high-rise syndrome.”

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