Most cat owners are hyper-vigilant about lilies, essential oils, and bleach, yet some of the most frequent feline emergencies I see as a vet come from a much more “innocent” source: the kitchen.
Those pleading eyes at dinnertime can be hard to resist, but sharing your meal with your cat could put their life at risk. Cats lack the enzymes needed to process many common human foods, and some items in your kitchen can cause organ failure within hours.
Knowing what cats cannot eat is one of the most important things you can do as a pet parent. While cats are typically pickier than dogs about what they'll consume, curiosity (and the occasional dropped morsel) can lead to dangerous ingestions.
Toxic Foods for Cats: Reference Table
Food | Toxicity Level | Primary Danger | Symptoms |
Onions & Garlic | Severe | Red blood cell destruction, anemia | Weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing |
Grapes & Raisins | Severe | Kidney failure | Vomiting, lethargy, decreased urination |
Alcohol | Severe | Liver and brain damage | Disorientation, vomiting, seizures |
Xylitol | Severe (in dogs; less data for cats) | Blood sugar crash, liver failure | Weakness, tremors, collapse |
Chocolate | Moderate to Severe | Heart and nervous system toxicity | Restlessness, rapid breathing, tremors |
Caffeine | Moderate to Severe | Heart and nervous system stimulation | Hyperactivity, rapid heart rate, seizures |
Raw Yeast Dough | Moderate | Stomach bloating, alcohol poisoning | Distended abdomen, weakness, disorientation |
Raw Eggs & Meat | Moderate | Bacterial infection (Salmonella, E. coli) | Vomiting, diarrhea, fever |
Raw Fish | Moderate | Thiamine deficiency | Neurological problems, seizures |
Dairy Products | Mild | Digestive upset | Diarrhea, gas, vomiting |
Bones & Fat Trimmings | Mild to Moderate | Choking, pancreatitis, intestinal damage | Vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation |
Citrus | Mild | Digestive irritation | Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea |
Highly Toxic Foods for Cats
These foods can cause organ failure and death. If your cat ingests any of them, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.
Onions, Garlic, and Related Plants
All members of the allium family are toxic to cats, including onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, and scallions. These plants contain compounds that damage red blood cells, leading to a dangerous condition called Heinz body anemia.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, garlic is three to five times more toxic than onions. The manual also notes that cats are the most susceptible species to allium toxicity. Powdered and dehydrated forms are especially dangerous because they're more concentrated.
Why it's dangerous: The compounds destroy red blood cells faster than the body can replace them, starving organs of oxygen.
Symptoms to watch for:
Weakness and lethargy
Pale or yellowish gums
Rapid breathing or panting
Decreased appetite
Dark or reddish-brown urine
Symptoms may not appear until 2-4 days after ingestion, by which point significant damage may have occurred. Be especially careful with foods that contain hidden onion or garlic, such as baby food, soups, sauces, and seasoned meats.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney failure in cats. Recent research suggests tartaric acid may be the toxic compound, but scientists haven't confirmed exactly why these fruits are so dangerous. What we do know is that toxicity varies widely between individual animals, and there's no "safe" amount.
Why it's dangerous: The toxic substance attacks the kidneys, potentially causing irreversible damage within 24-72 hours.
Symptoms to watch for:
Repeated vomiting within the first few hours
Lethargy and weakness
Decreased or absent urination
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain
Even a single grape can make some cats seriously ill. Keep grapes, raisins, currants, and any foods containing them (trail mix, baked goods, cereals) completely away from your cat.
Alcohol
Alcohol affects cats the same way it affects humans, but cats are far more vulnerable due to their small size and different metabolism. Beer, wine, liquor, and foods containing alcohol are all dangerous.
According to the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists, there is no established safe threshold for alcohol in cats, and all incidents of exposure should be reported to a veterinarian immediately.
Sources of alcohol cats might encounter:
Beer, wine, and liquor
Rum-soaked desserts and fruitcakes
Unbaked bread dough (produces alcohol as it ferments)
Some mouthwashes and medications
Hand sanitizer
Symptoms to watch for:
Disorientation and poor coordination
Vomiting and diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Tremors or seizures
Dangerously low blood sugar, hypothermia, or coma in severe cases
Xylitol (Birch Sugar)
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, some peanut butters, and dental products. While xylitol toxicity is well-documented in dogs, cats appear to be less susceptible according to the FDA and VCA Hospitals. However, given cats' sensitivity to many substances, veterinarians recommend treating xylitol as potentially dangerous for all pets. Why it's dangerous: In susceptible animals, xylitol triggers a massive insulin release, causing blood sugar to crash dangerously low. Higher doses can cause liver failure. Symptoms to watch for:
Weakness and lethargy
Loss of coordination
Tremors or seizures
Collapse
If your cat consumes any product containing xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Dangerous Foods Cats Should Never Eat
These foods may not always be immediately fatal, but they can cause serious illness requiring veterinary treatment.
Chocolate and Caffeine
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to cats. Cats cannot metabolize these compounds effectively, allowing them to build up to dangerous levels. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain the highest concentrations, but all chocolate products pose a risk.
The good news: cats cannot taste sweetness, so they're less likely to seek out chocolate than dogs. However, curious cats may still sample it, especially chocolate milk or foods with chocolate mixed in.
Symptoms to watch for:
Restlessness and hyperactivity
Rapid breathing
Muscle tremors
Vomiting and diarrhea
Elevated heart rate
Seizures (in severe cases)
Caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medications poses similar risks.
Raw Yeast Dough
Unbaked bread dough is a double threat. First, the warm environment of your cat's stomach causes the dough to expand, potentially causing painful bloating and even gastric torsion (a twisted stomach). Second, as the yeast ferments, it produces alcohol, leading to alcohol poisoning.
Symptoms to watch for:
Distended, firm abdomen
Unproductive attempts to vomit
Weakness and disorientation
Elevated heart rate
Seizures
Keep rising dough covered and out of reach. If your cat gets into raw dough, this is a veterinary emergency.
Foods That Are Bad for Cats
These foods may not cause organ failure, but they can lead to digestive upset, nutritional problems, or other health issues.
Raw Eggs, Meat, and Fish
Raw animal products can harbor dangerous bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, which can sicken both cats and the humans who handle their food and litter boxes. Raw eggs also contain avidin, a protein that interferes with biotin absorption.
Raw fish presents an additional concern: an enzyme called thiaminase destroys thiamine (vitamin B1). Cats who regularly eat raw fish can develop thiamine deficiency, leading to neurological problems, seizures, and potentially death.
Safer alternatives: Thoroughly cooked, unseasoned meat and fish are generally safe in small amounts as occasional treats. Cooking kills bacteria and destroys thiaminase.
Dairy Products
The image of a cat happily lapping up a saucer of milk is misleading. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant because they stop producing lactase (the enzyme that digests milk sugar) after weaning. Dairy products can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Small amounts of cheese or plain yogurt may be tolerated by some cats, but dairy offers no nutritional benefits that your cat can't get from a balanced cat food.
Bones and Fat Trimmings
Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, intestinal blockages, or punctures in the digestive tract. Raw bones are somewhat safer but still pose risks. Fat trimmings, meanwhile, can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially serious inflammation of the pancreas.
Citrus Fruits
The flesh of oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits isn't highly toxic, but the oils, peels, and seeds contain compounds that can irritate a cat's digestive system. Most cats dislike the smell and taste of citrus anyway, but ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Something Toxic
If you suspect your cat has eaten a toxic food, time is critical. Follow these steps:
1. Stay calm and assess the situation. Try to identify what your cat ate, how much, and when. This information will help your veterinarian determine the best course of action.
2. Call for professional guidance immediately. Contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital, or a poison control hotline:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435 (consultation fee applies)
Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 (consultation fee applies)
Embrace Policyholders: Use PawSupport. Every Embrace policy includes 24/7 access to pet professionals via phone, live chat, or video call. They can help you determine if your cat’s situation is a true emergency or if it can be managed at home.
3. Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed. Some toxins cause more damage coming back up. Never give your cat hydrogen peroxide, salt water, or other home remedies without veterinary direction. Learn more about why you should never try to induce vomiting at home without professional guidance.
4. Gather relevant information. If possible, bring the packaging or a sample of what your cat ate to the veterinary appointment. Note the time of ingestion and any symptoms you've observed.
5. Follow your veterinarian's instructions. Treatment may include inducing vomiting (if appropriate and done professionally), activated charcoal to absorb toxins, IV fluids, blood work monitoring, and supportive care.
Keeping Toxic Foods Away from Your Cat
The best treatment for poisoning is prevention. Here's how to keep your cat safe:
Store food securely. Keep toxic foods in closed cabinets or the refrigerator. Don't leave groceries unattended on counters, and use lidded trash cans.
Be careful during meal prep. Onions and garlic are in almost everything. Keep your cat out of the kitchen while cooking and clean up spills immediately.
Educate your household. Make sure everyone in your home, including children and guests, knows not to feed the cat human food.
Check ingredients. Many products you wouldn't suspect, like chicken broth, baby food, or "natural" tuna, often contain onion or garlic powder for flavor. If it’s labeled "sugar-free," keep it away from your cat entirely.
Watch for dropped food. Cats are quick. A grape that rolls off the counter or a piece of chocolate cake that falls can disappear in seconds.
Be especially careful during holidays. Many poison control calls spike around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Halloween when tempting foods are more accessible.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Cat Poisoning?
Yes. Treating poisoning can be a major financial shock. According to the Embrace January 2025 report, vomiting remains one of the most common feline emergency claims, with an average cost of $554 per visit.
While a simple stomach upset is expensive, costs escalate rapidly when a specific toxin is involved because the "standard of care" often requires multi-day hospitalization to prevent organ failure. Emergency vet visits often cost $500-$1,500 or more. Severe cases requiring hospitalization, IV fluids, blood transfusions, or dialysis can run into the thousands.
Condition/Treatment | Average Cost Without Insurance | Why is it so expensive? |
"Mystery" Vomiting | $554 | Includes the ER exam fee, basic blood work, and anti-nausea medication. |
Lily Ingestion | $1,000 – $4,000+ | Requires aggressive IV fluids and 48+ hours of continuous kidney monitoring. |
Grape & Raisin Toxicity | $2,000 – $5,000+ | No "safe" dose exists; treatment requires long-term hospitalization and serial lab tests. |
General Toxin Exposure | $250 – $2,000 | May include induced vomiting, activated charcoal, and diagnostic imaging (X-rays). |
Cat insurance covers poisoning emergencies, including diagnostics, hospitalization, medications, and follow-up care. Embrace's accident and illness policies help you focus on your cat's recovery rather than the bill.
It’s not just food—cats are famous for "curious eating." Embrace has covered claims ranging from $2,900 for a swallowed shoelace to over $5,600 for a festive ribbon.
For ongoing wellness needs like annual exams and preventive care, Wellness Rewards can help budget for routine costs that keep your cat healthy year-round.