Cats are more particular than dogs about what they eat. Nevertheless, they do sometimes scavenge and come into contact with carrion (rotting flesh or meat), decomposing foods, animal manure, and other noxious substances. Cats are more sensitive than dogs to food poisoning and exhibit effects at lower levels of exposure. This is partly due to their smaller size and the lack of the liver enzyme glucuronyl transferase.
Signs of poisoning usually begin with vomiting and pain in the abdomen. In severe cases, they are followed two to six hours later by a diarrhea that is often bloody. Shock may occur-particularly if the problem is complicated by bacterial infection. Mild cases recover in one to two days. If your cat exhibits these poisoning symptoms seek immediate veterinary attention for signs of dehydration, toxicity, and shock.
Along with food poisoning from spoiled foods, cats lack the enzymes to properly digest some foods. Two of these are onions and garlic. Cats can be exposed to onion from the onion powder in some baby foods or by chewing on Allium species plants. Garlic may be a component of some natural flea repellant products. Signs are intestinal upset and possibly anemia as toxins build up that destroy red blood cells. Treatment may include antioxidants, oxygen therapy, and even blood transfusions for severe cases.
Chocolate and coffee can be toxic to cats, due to the stimulants they contain-theobromine and caffeine, respectively. Signs include excitability, weakness, rapid breathing, and even death. Induce vomiting for treatment and activated charcoal may also be helpful. The cat may need fluid therapy at a veterinary clinic to flush the system.
Grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts are all foods that have been found to be toxic in dogs. It can be assumed they are not good for cats, although luckily, cats seem to avoid these products. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free baked goods and gums, is another food that is toxic to dogs and can be assumed to be toxic in cats.
With some types of vegetation, only certain parts of the plant are toxic. With others, the whole plant is poisonous. Ingestion causes a wide range of symptoms. They include mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, hallucinations, seizures, coma, and death. Other plant substances cause skin rash.
Some toxic plants have specific pharmacological actions, and are used in making medicines. The signs they cause vary widely. If you're not sure about a plant, ask your veterinarian or the local plant nursery. The ASPCA also has a list of poisonous plants on its web site (www.aspca.org).
For more cat poisoning symptoms and at home treatments for minor poisoning see http://www.2cathealth.com/cat-poisoning-symptoms.html
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