Thanksgiving Feasts: What to Avoid Feeding Your Cat

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and feasting, but it’s also a time to be mindful of what you share with your feline friend. Sacramento Cat Hospital wants to ensure that your Thanksgiving is safe and enjoyable for everyone, including your cat. While giving them a taste of your holiday meal might be tempting, not all Thanksgiving foods are safe for cats.

Toxic Thanksgiving Foods for Cats

While turkey might seem like a harmless treat, the bones and fatty skin can pose significant dangers. Turkey bones can splinter and cause choking, internal bleeding, or blockages in your cat’s digestive system. Fatty skin, on the other hand, can lead to pancreatitis, which is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.

Avoid giving your cat:

• Turkey bones
• Fatty turkey skin
• Fried or seasoned turkey
• Onions, Garlic, and Chives

These ingredients are commonly used to flavor stuffing and other Thanksgiving dishes, but are highly toxic to cats. Onions, garlic, and chives contain compounds that can damage your cat’s red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

Keep these away from your cat:

• Stuffing
• Gravy
• Mashed potatoes with onion, garlic, or chives
• Raisins and Grapes

Raisins and grapes, often found in desserts and stuffing, are highly toxic to cats. Even a small amount can cause sudden kidney failure, which can be fatal.

Ensure your cat doesn’t consume:

• Stuffing with raisins
• Fruitcakes
• Raisin-based desserts

Chocolate is well-known to be dangerous for pets, including cats. It contains theobromine, which can cause tremors, seizures, and even death. Additionally, many Thanksgiving desserts contain xylitol, a sweetener that is also toxic to cats, leading to insulin release, low blood sugar, and liver failure.

Avoid sharing:

• Chocolate and Sweets
• Candy with xylitol
• Any dessert with artificial sweeteners

Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Cats

While many Thanksgiving foods are off-limits, there are a few that you can safely share with your cat in moderation.

Plain, Cooked Turkey

If you want to treat your cat to a bit of turkey, make sure it’s plain, boneless, and fully cooked. A small piece of white meat without any seasoning, skin, or bones can be a delightful treat.

Steamed Vegetables

Some vegetables can be a healthy snack for your cat if they’re plain and cooked without any seasoning. Offer a small amount of steamed carrots, peas, or green beans.

Safe vegetables include:

• Steamed carrots
• Plain peas
• Green beans

What to Do if Your Cat Consumes Toxic Food

If your cat accidentally consumes any of these toxic Thanksgiving foods, acting quickly is crucial. Watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or a sudden change in behavior. Contact us immediately for advice or to schedule an urgent visit.

Keep Your Cat Safe This Thanksgiving

By avoiding harmful foods and offering safe alternatives, you can ensure your feline friend stays healthy and happy during the holiday.

At Sacramento Cat Hospital, our veterinarians and staff are here to help you keep your cat safe and healthy throughout the holiday season. If you have any questions about what foods are safe for your cat or think your cat has ingested something toxic, don’t hesitate to call us. Our team is ready to assist with any concerns and provide immediate care if necessary.