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🐱 Cats safety guide

Many owners assume that if a cat can chew on it, it is harmless, but many common household items contain ingredients that are lethal to felines. The biggest mistake is underestimating how quickly a cat can ingest a toxic substance while grooming or playing.

🚫 Keep away from cats

• Lilies — Every part of the lily plant is highly toxic to cats and can cause acute kidney failure even from small amounts of pollen or leaves.
• Xylitol — This artificial sweetener found in gum and toothpaste causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver failure in cats.
• Essential Oils — Cats lack the liver enzymes to metabolize essential oils, so even small amounts of diffused or topical oils can cause severe organ damage.
• Onions and Garlic — These alliums contain compounds that destroy red blood cells, leading to anemia that can be fatal in cats.
• Chocolate — Theobromine in chocolate is difficult for cats to process and can cause heart arrhythmias, seizures, and death.
• Ibuprofen — This common pain reliever is extremely toxic to cats and can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and kidney failure.
• Antifreeze — Ethylene glycol is sweet-tasting and highly attractive to cats, but it causes irreversible kidney damage within hours.
• String or Ribbon — Ingested linear foreign objects can wrap around the intestines, causing a life-threatening blockage that requires emergency surgery.

Full list: toxic foods for cats →

✅ Generally fine for cats

• Cat Grass — A safe, natural way to satisfy a cat's urge to chew on greenery without the risk of toxic plants.
• Plain Cooked Chicken — A great source of protein that is easy to digest and free of harmful seasonings or bones.
• Pumpkin Puree — Plain, unsweetened pumpkin is excellent for digestive health and can help with constipation or diarrhea.
• Blueberries — These antioxidants are safe in small quantities and make for a healthy, occasional treat.
• Cucumber Slices — High in water content, these are a low-calorie snack that can help with hydration.
• Plain Yogurt — Small amounts of plain yogurt can provide probiotics, but ensure it has no added sugars or xylitol.
• Carrots — Crunchy and sweet, carrots are a safe vegetable option that can also help clean teeth.
• Watermelon — Seeds and rind must be removed, but the flesh is hydrating and safe for cats to enjoy.

🕘 Recently checked for cats

• String or Ribbon ⛔ Unsafe
• Plain Cooked Chicken ✅ Safe
• Antifreeze ⛔ Unsafe
• fish ⚠️ Caution
• Yogurt ⚠️ Caution
• Sweet Potato ⚠️ Caution
• Strawberry ⚠️ Caution
• Bread ⚠️ Caution
• Chicken ✅ Safe
• Peas ⚠️ Caution
• Shrimp ⚠️ Caution
• Banana ⚠️ Caution
• Apple ⚠️ Caution
• Cheese ⚠️ Caution
• Eggs ⚠️ Caution
• Salmon ⚠️ Caution
• Tuna ⚠️ Caution
• carrot ✅ Safe
• Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) ⛔ Unsafe
• Mothballs (naphthalene) ⛔ Unsafe
• Naproxen (Aleve) ⛔ Unsafe
• Bromethalin (rat poison) ⛔ Unsafe
• Peruvian lily / Alstroemeria ⚠️ Caution
• Aloe vera ⛔ Unsafe