Big_Fat_Red_Cat

From Hello Kitty to the ubiquitous cat cafes, it’s no secret to our readers that Japan loves cats. Despite their tendency to view us humans as their own personal servants, we can’t seem to get enough of their fluffy cuteness and sometimes ridiculous antics. Whenever you need to smile, a silly cat video will usually do the trick.

So why not repay your cat by ensuring its healthy lifestyle? For starters, you can reevaluate your cat’s diet by checking out this list we’ve compiled of five at-a-glance foods that you should never feed to your pet. Maybe your kitty will thank you for your concern with even more purring and nuzzles (and no dead mice!).   

  • Number 1: Spring onions/scallions, onions, garlic, garlic chives; any plants belonging to the lily family

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The key here is a chemical compound called allyl propyl disulfide which is found in the foods listed above. It is the same chemical that evaporates when you slice an onion and it causes your eyes to water up. While this generally causes only minor irritation in humans, it can be very dangerous to cats. It makes no difference whether the onion/garlic is raw or has been cooked.

You might be surprised to see lilies on the list as well. Besides allyl propyl disulfide, there are other compounds within plants of the lily family which can be toxic to cats, even resulting in death if accidentally ingested. So while lily flowers are certainly pretty to look at, you might want to think twice about decorating your home with them if you have kitties running around.

  • Number 2: Dietary supplements

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A substance which humans take to be healthier could have the reverse effect in cats. Even just one pill/capsule/tablet could prove to be lethal for cats. Be careful you don’t leave any pills lying around on the floor, or your inquisitive cat may swallow it by mistake.

Especially dangerous are supplements containing α-lipoic acid, which is marketed as an antioxidant or pharmaceutical drug in some countries. In Japan, it is known as a weight loss or energy supplement. Keep your pills tightly sealed in a place where even the most curious of cats can’t sneak into.

  • Number 3: Alcoholic beverages

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Hopefully all our readers already have enough common sense to understand the dangers of giving alcohol to a cat (or too much to a fellow human!), but we’d like to bring it to your attention nonetheless: you should never let your cat consume alcohol. Even just 5-8 ml of alcohol per 1 kg of your cat’s weight results in a  high risk of alcohol poisoning. So next time you want to celebrate a special occasion with your feline friend, skip the booze and pick up this Nyan Nyan Nouveau cat-friendly red wine (non-alcoholic) instead!

  • Number 4: Avocados (bet you didn’t know that!)

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While usually harmless to humans, the toxin called persin inside of avocados is extremely dangerous to domestic animals. Persin is an oil-soluble compound that enters the body of the fruit from its pit. Avocados from Guatemala are said to contain especially high levels of persin. Scientists are still investigating the amounts found in avocados from other areas of the world. Eating avocado may induce vomiting and diarrhea in your cat…so sorry, Hello Kitty, but it looks like there’s no guacamole for you…

  • Number 5: Spinach 

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As cats age, their urine tends to become more acidic. When this happens, deposits of calcium oxalate may accumulate. Calcium oxalate is the same chemical compound found in human kidney stones. It has the potential to form crystals in the urinary tract, which would not be a happy experience for your cat. Better to stay on the safe side and not feed spinach to your pet at all.

We hope you found this list informative and interesting!

Sources: My Navi, Wikipedia
Top image: Wikipedia (Tripp)
Images: Wikipedia (1, 2, 3, 4), Heartland Institute