Holiday foods that are dangerous for cats
“Human food” to keep away from cats while on vacation.
1. Seasoned turkey meat and skin
Although it is a small amount, Although plain cooked turkey is relatively safe for cats to eat, holiday recipes usually call for brining or seasoning the turkey. These processes add large amounts of salt, pepper, and herbs to the meat, making it less safe for your pet to ingest.
Also, cooked turkey bones are brittle and can damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause intestinal blockages.
2. Stuffing
Most stuffing recipes include allium onions, scallions, or garlic.
Allium vegetables are highly toxic to cats because they cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, causing cell destruction and causing anemia.
Other effects of allium poisoning include:
Many stuffing recipes also include raisins, which (along with grapes) can be toxic to cats.
3. Grilled ham
Baked ham may be a delicious holiday dish for humans, but it should be off-limits for cats. why? They are usually very salty and flavored with ingredients that are toxic to cats, such as garlic and onions.
The safest ham you can feed your cat is plain cooked ham, cooked without any additional seasonings or spices.
4. Cranberry sauce
This popular holiday condiment is served straight from the can or homemade based on a recipe.
To reduce the tartness of the berries, cranberry sauce recipes typically call for large amounts of white sugar, and canned sauces typically contain high fructose corn syrup.
Unlike humans, cats do not have a sweet tooth and do not prefer sweet foods. Excess sugar can also cause obesity, diabetes, and dental disease.
5. Mashed potatoes and gravy
Cooked potatoes are not harmful to cats if eaten in small quantities.
However, the ingredients used to make mashed potatoes put your cat at risk of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines and can cause symptoms such as:
Mashed potato recipes usually call for some kind of dairy product, such as milk, butter, or cheese. However, most cats become lactose intolerant after weaning, so dairy products can cause unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gas.
When it comes to gravy, this tasty topping usually contains potentially toxic seasonings like onion and garlic.
6. Sweet potato casserole
Regular sweet potatoes are safe for cats while cooking, but sweet potato casserole is off-limits.
This side dish usually contains milk and brown sugar, which is not suitable for your cat’s digestive tract.
If your casserole is topped with marshmallows or pecans, these ingredients further increase the risk. One full-sized marshmallow contains 4 grams of sugar.
Nuts are also difficult to digest, so large pieces can cause blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.
7. Green bean casserole
Indeed, regular green beans can be a great snack for pets. But green bean casserole is no good.
This holiday classic gets its creamy flavor from dairy-based sauces, and most green bean casserole recipes are rich in onions. Onions are added both inside the casserole and as a crunchy French onion topping.
And onions, like other alliums, can cause fatal red blood cell damage in cats.
8. Candied Yam
Recipes for candied yams are often passed down from generation to generation, but this traditional side dish is also something you don’t want your cat near.
This dessert-like dish gets its name from the fact that it’s extremely sweet, with lots of brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows.
Cats do not benefit from such high concentrations of sugar, so don’t let your cat lick the plate.
9. Corn on the cob
One or two cooked corn kernels are not dangerous to cats. However, never feed your kitten corn on the cob.
Corn on the cob is a choking hazard and can cause intestinal obstruction if ingested whole.
10. Macaroni & Cheese
The ultimate comfort food, macaroni and cheese is a holiday favorite for many families.
However, many adult cats cannot incorporate dairy products into their diets, so eating cheese can cause diarrhea, gas, and abdominal pain.
11. Pumpkin pie
No holiday feast is complete without pumpkin pie.
While 100% plain pumpkin is safe for cats to eat, pumpkin pie gets its rich, custard-like taste from sweetened condensed milk, which is loaded with sugar and dairy.
Additionally, pumpkin pie is made with seasonings and spices that are toxic to cats, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Eating these spices can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats.
12. Eggnog
All alcohol should be completely prohibited for pets. Alcohol poisoning is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition for your furry family member.
Eggnog, one of the most popular alcoholic drinks during the holiday season, contains raw eggs and heavy cream, which cats may have a low tolerance for.
13. Gingerbread
Sorry, kittens, gingerbread cookies are also off-limits. This popular holiday dessert is usually made with ingredients that can upset your cat’s stomach or cause other unpleasant symptoms.
For example, gingerbread cookies contain spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, which are considered mildly toxic and can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten.
When it comes to toppings, frosting and other sweet decorations can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats.
