Friday 15 August 2014

Bumble

Bumble - daughter of Muffin and Poppy (2 months old)
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Bumble - 4 months old

Mini Muffin

Mini Muffin - son of Muffin and Poppy at 6 weeks

Mini Muffin - son of Muffin and Poppy at 2 years old in May 2016
Mini Muffin - son of Muffin and Poppy at 2 years old in May 2016

Tuesday 12 August 2014

What Your Cat Should Not Eat - Part 1

Milk and Dairy Products. Cats love milk right? Wrong, most cats are lactose-intolerant. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea.

Tuna. Cats can easily get addicted to tuna (yes, even tuna for cats). A steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Too much tuna can also cause mercury poisoning.

Onions, Garlic, Chives, Tomatoes, Mushrooms (in all forms) can cause anemia. An occasional small dose probably won't hurt. But eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts frequently can cause onion poisoning. Onions, garlic and chives can also cause gastrointestinal upset.

Alcohol in general as well as foods containing alcohol is not good for your cat. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it.

Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. And, a small amount can make a cat ill.

Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and fits. Therefore do not feed your kitten caffeine rich food such as tea, coffee (any type), cocoa, chocolate, Red Bull, Coke, cold medicines and painkillers etc.

Chocolate (of all kinds) can be lethal for cats. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be encouraged to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Candy and Gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause your cat's blood sugar to drop and also lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. The cat may have seizures soon after ingesting the xylitol, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Fat Trimmings and Bones. Both fat and bones can be dangerous for cats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. And a cat can choke on a bone. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your cat's digestive system.

Raw Eggs can cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli as well as skin and coat problems.

Raw Meat and Fish can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. Enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. A lack of thiamine can cause fatal neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma.

Dog Food. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished.

Liver. Eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones, problems associated with liver include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death.

Too Many Treats. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Yeast Dough can cause severe abdomen pain. When the yeast ferments it also produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Your Medicine. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Ingesting medicine prescribed for humans is a common cause of poisoning in cats. Never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet as some ingredients can be deadly for your cat.

If Your Cat Eats What It Shouldn't 

Keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness however, no matter how careful you are, it's possible that your cat will find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's always a good idea to keep the number of your vet or local RSPCA handy.  And if you think your cat has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help. 

Foxy

Foxy - daughter of Muffin and Poppy

Lily

Lily - daughter of Muffin and Poppy