Christmas food that can make your cat sick
Christmas food is often both fatty and salty, so most things on the Christmas table are actually not very good cat food. If relatives come to visit, it might be wise to inform them why they should keep the food to themselves, otherwise a pair of pleading cat eyes can make anyone go weak. As well as fat, salt and chocolate, there are a few other things that are important to keep an eye on.
The Christmas Bake
Christmas baking is good for us humans, but can be dangerous for our cats. Fermenting dough is dangerous because it continues to ferment in an animal's stomach, producing ethanol. Ethanol is absorbed into the bloodstream and your cat can become alcohol poisoned. The cat becomes intoxicated and blood sugar and blood pressure drop, which can lead to shock and seizures, which in the worst case can be fatal and lead to death. Gingerbread and some other Christmas bakes with strong spices can give your cat stomach problems, so if you don't want to spend Christmas Eve scrubbing floors, the best tip is to skip the gingerbread for your cat.
Onions
Onions are an ingredient in many Christmas dishes. Jansson's temptation and meatballs are examples of two dishes that contain onions, which are dangerous for the cat. Onions are poisonous and can cause anaemia. Keep in mind that both raw and cooked onions are dangerous for your cat. Symptoms of onion ingestion include vomiting, convulsions, food refusal and pale mucous membranes.
Nuts
Nuts can get stuck in the throat or intestines and home first aid can make a big difference. Some nuts, such as bitter almonds and macadamia nuts, are also poisonous to cats.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains the substance theobromine, which is dangerous for cats. The higher the cocoa content, the more dangerous. Cats are much more sensitive to theobromine than humans and even light chocolate can be dangerous. Therefore, all chocolate should be avoided to be given to cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, heart palpitations and convulsions. It does not take much chocolate to be dangerous for the cat.
Unfortunately, you don't always have time to see what your little friends are putting in their mouths, so it's always important to monitor your cat's wellbeing - and not just at Christmas. If your cat becomes lethargic, starts trembling, vomits or otherwise has a change in its general condition, you should always contact a vet.
Remember that there are more foods than those mentioned above that can make your cat sick. Therefore, you should only give your cat food that is selected for your particular cat to avoid illness.
Did you know that even ordinary flowers during Christmas can make your cat sick? Read more about it here to avoid illness during Christmas.
