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Member
 
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Last Login: 9/30/2008 3:30:43 AM
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| What people foods are dangerous to cats? We give our cats a bit of chicken, beef, bacon, or cheese now and then. Only occasionally and only a small piece or two. But my boyfriend has also discovered that our male cat likes popcorn and doritos as well. Obviously this is not cat food, so I was just wondering if there was anything dangerous in this junk food. When I am in the room he won't feed them, but I still see the male cat begging for snacks so obviously my bf is feeding the male cat junk food on the sly when I'm not around. Are there any articles or websites I could print out to show my bf the dangers of people food for cats? Thanks, Raven
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Supreme Being
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| As with all things the key is moderation. A bit of chicken beef or bacon isn't bad for them, as long as they are lean (especially the bacon), and well drained and not cooked with onions or garlic. Onions and garlic even in small doses is toxic to cats. (That makes Doritos a major no-no, the garlic salt on them). Bacon would give me the biggest concern, as it can easily cause pancreatis, which speaking from personal experience, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy- its excruiatingly painful, and potentially lethal. So be very spare on offering up bacon as a treat. Make sure it is well drained, (put it in the oven on paper towels after frying to get the extra grease out of it or bake it in the oven ala Alton Brown and don't fry it at all.) Cats are obligate carnivores, they get almost all their nutritional needs met through meat. Raw meat is best, (ever seen a cat cook their mice before eating it?) and their digestive systems are desgined to consume raw meat, so foodborne illness from raw meat is not an issue for them. Few cats (exception being barn cats of a dairy farm) can tolerate milk even though they like it. So give your cat some catsip or milk with the lactase removed. It has taurine added which is good for their eyes and heart. Garlic, Onion, and especially chocolate should not ever be fed to a cat. (Though my Pea kitty is certain she likes chocolate pudding). cats can't taste "sweet" so the dessert they try and sneak off your plate, or cereal milk they want to drink they want it because you're eating it, not because they can taste it.
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen 
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Senior Member
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| I agree with everything PeaLoki&gabe said. Many cats are allergic to corn. So don't give them anything made of corn. It's better giving them raw meat or fish and never give them our food. With fruits some of them are toxic. You should look it up in a book what things are toxic and what others you can give them. But remember to reduce their normal portion. Don't make them fat
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Supreme Being
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I believe I saw somewhere that avocados are toxic [to cats] too, but you'd have to check that out.
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen
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| Our pets have always been given a tiny bit, and I mean tiny, of our dinner when we are finished. Not the veggies, but some chicken, beef or fish. We place a little in their bowls so they can get the taste and it makes them feel good. We never give too much and only after they have eaten their own pet food. I asked the vet about this and he said that it was ok because we don't give them much. Just a taste. Although he did say veggies were ok for the dog but I don't put them down in case she doesn't eat them then the cat will get into the dog bowl and I don't want the cat to have veggies.
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Supreme Being
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veggies like carrots wont hurt kitties. The high end cat foods have veggies in them. Instead of carbs for roughage, and filler they use veggies. can't harm them and it gives them the few nutrients cats can't get from meat. You just have to watch for onions garlic and avocados.
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen
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Supreme Being
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| Raisins aren't good for them either - forget what the problem is, just that they shouldn't have raisins or grapes. I like to give mine occasional tastes of some people food as a special treat - like if I'm making a certain chicken dish where I boil the chicken first then chop it up and add to some other stuff, I'll save each of the kitties a bite or two before I season it. And they've had the occasional bite of shrimp. But they only get a bite or two at a time and it's always unseasoned - I don't think a lot of the spices we eat are good to our kitties' tummies. Also I make sure they don't get any bones. Sounds silly but I have been known to put bones or uneaten portions of meat in zip-lock bags before it goes into the trash so my dumpster-diver doesn't get into it!
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I've tried my best to not give my kitties human food, but they're so pathetic sometimes. They love chicken. Isn't tuna okay in small portions as long as you don't give it to them all the time?
Even though we never give it to them, my cats love "cream" as we put it. You can't eat ice cream, sour cream, yougurt, ranch dressing, etc..without them starring at you the whole time...It's like in a past life that's what they lived off of.
Cyn and Jake
http://www.catchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=92047
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