Kick off BBQ season with these 5 safety tips for your cat
With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, it’s time to start planning the menu to kick off the summer fun! Celebrations with friends can be filled with all kinds of yummy dishes and fun activities. Curious cats love to sample food and get in on the fun! In this article, we’ll explore the most common foods that lead to emergency visits, plus offer some party precautions.
- Chocolate and coffee. Ingestion of small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, but large amounts can cause seizures and heart arrhythmias. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most toxic, and even small doses of these can be fatal. Keep chocolate desserts, paper plates with cake scraps and coffee cups out of your cat’s reach, and tell your guests not to share!
- Beer, wine and spirits. While it's no shocker that cats can get tipsy after sipping alcohol, they don’t need much to turn them from playful kitties into a stumbling mess. They can quickly begin vomiting and experience more severe signs like coma or worse with very small amounts of alcohol.
- Grapes and raisins. Even one grape or raisin can cause kidney failure in cats. This includes baked goods containing raisins, like carrot cake or scones.
- Onions and garlic. We all love these toppings on burgers, sausages and salads. Unfortunately, they can cause red blood cell damage in cats. This is true for the raw vegetables as well as their powdered forms.
- Yeast dough. This presents a serious risk to cats, because once ingested, yeast dough continues to ferment in the stomach, causing bloating and ethanol production. Ethanol toxicity can result in signs similar to alcohol poisoning, posing a significant health threat to your cat.
Amidst the celebrations, it's essential to be mindful of these other hazards that can put your cat at risk:
- Candles. Open flames can singe sensitive whiskers and noses when your cat takes a whiff. Fumes from scented candles can also cause breathing difficulties, and eating the wax can lead to gastrointestinal upset.
- Balloons. Though festive, balloons can spell double trouble for your cat. Deflated balloons can pose a choking risk if ingested. Strings attached to balloons can cause intestinal issues if swallowed.
Don't let food hazards spoil your Memorial Day weekend fun with your cat! By keeping a watchful eye and removing potential dangers, you can ensure your cat stays healthy and happy while you both savor the joys of bonding moments.
If you believe your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 right away!
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