Hello, this time in our series we'll be thinking seriously about cats.
Although the title refers to cats you live with, there are some things you should be careful of with stray cats as well. Some harmful foods may be surprisingly easy to overlook, and you may not even know about them. For the sake of your cat's health, why not take another look at them?
Cat diet
Cats are naturally very cautious creatures. They can check the condition and smell of food to see if it is fresh, and they can sniff out foods that may cause poisoning.
However, that was a long time ago. Due to the rapid cat boom in recent years, the number of cats that have been kept indoors since birth has increased, and the number of cats that have lost their natural, natural sense of smell has also increased.
Another factor is that an increasing number of people, not just those who keep cats indoors, are giving stray cats treats that are not found in the wild.
Cats with dulled senses may become ill or even die from eating foods that they should not eat. It is our responsibility as cat owners to know the correct information and provide our cats with the appropriate diet.
What foods should you never give your pet?
Before cat food became as popular as it is today, there was a time when cats would be fed "neko manma," which is white rice with miso soup poured over it. However, white rice is too high in calories for cats, and miso soup is too salty.
Regardless of whether your cat is a house cat or a stray cat, or a kitten or adult cat, you must be extremely careful when feeding them anything other than food sold specifically for cats.
△ Dried bonito flakes, small fish
If you feed your cat food sold for humans based on the impression that "cats will like it," the excess salt will damage their liver. The same goes for dried sardines. There are products on the market that are made with reduced salt for cats, so if you want to feed your cat food, make sure to buy products made specifically for cats.
△ Milk
Milk sold for human consumption can not only cause diarrhea in cats, but can also be too fatty and cause obesity. If you absolutely must give your cat milk, it's best to use low-fat milk formulated for cats.
In particular, you should be especially careful about foods that can cause serious symptoms when eaten, and for which you cannot excuse
your ignorance .
☓ All types of onions
Alliums, such as leeks, onions, and chives, can cause anemia and vomiting in cats. These symptoms can occur not only when eaten raw, but also when cooked, so you should be especially careful not to mix them into your cat's food.
☓ Cacao
You may not think of cacao, but it applies to all chocolate. If a cat ingests it, it can cause seizures. Even if you're careful about chocolate, you should be careful because cocoa also contains a surprising amount of cacao.
☓ Raw octopus, shrimp
Many cats like seafood that smells like the sea. There is no problem with feeding octopus or shrimp if they are thoroughly cooked, but feeding them raw can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. Be careful, as this can not only cause vomiting and convulsions, but can also make it difficult for your cat to walk on its own.
What if you eat something dangerous?
In general, you should keep anything away from cats that is not specifically made for cats so that they do not accidentally eat it. It is not uncommon for casual littering, not only inside the home but also among stray cats, to jeopardize their health.
Littering cigarettes, in particular, can cause residual nicotine to reach cats' bodies, causing them to tremble uncontrollably and even hallucinating. If you happen to see a cat acting strangely, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
Things to be careful about other than food
There are other things besides food that can be dangerous for cats if they eat them.
plastic bags
Cats often play with plastic bags because they like the rustling sound they make, but they are also prone to tearing, so there is a high chance they may accidentally swallow them. When playing with them, you should either be there with your cat, or provide them with a toy specifically for cats.
flower
"I received a beautiful bouquet so I put it up"... At first glance, it may seem harmless, but in some cases it could pose a risk to your cat's life.
Lilies and baby's breath, which are often used in bouquets, can cause serious poisoning and even death if eaten by a cat.
Cats have the habit of ingesting cat grass when they want to cleanse their stomachs, so many cats will end up eating plants when they see them. Not all flowers are dangerous, but if you really want to decorate with flowers, make sure to display them in rooms where cats cannot enter, such as the entrance, toilet, or bedroom.
cat toys
Some cats play too aggressively with toys and end up swallowing broken ones. There has been an actual case where a cat swallowed the entire string of a broken cat toy, resulting in an abdominal surgery. Don't be complacent just because your toy is made for cats; owners should regularly maintain it to check for any broken parts.
summary
There may be an endless list of foods that are harmful to cats, but it is also an important role of cat owners to create an environment where cats can live in peace. By knowing the correct information, both cats and us can live happily together.
