Cat health articles. Browse our health collection for common and uncommon cat health issues.
Cats can eat Christmas ham, but only in very small quantities. Ham is non-toxic, but it can cause issues due to the high sodium content. Another potential danger is if the ham has been prepared with garlic or onion, which are both toxic to cats.
Can cats eat Christmas beetles? Cats can eat Christmas beetles, however, they shouldn’t. While Christmas beetles are safe for cats to eat, their numbers are diminishing at an alarming rate. Aside from their declining numbers, there is a small risk that Christmas beetles have been deliberately sprayed or accidentally exposed to insect spray, which can … Read more
Is Norway spruce toxic to cats? Norway spruce (Picea abies) is non-toxic to cats and is safe to keep as a Christmas tree in homes with pets with care. What is Norway spruce? Genus: Picea Family: Pinaceae Botanical name: Picea abies Common names: Common spruce, European spruce, Christmas tree Popular cultivars: ‘Pumila’, ‘Witches Brood’, ‘Gold Drift’, … Read more
Blue spruce is non-toxic to cats and is safe to keep as a Christmas tree in homes with pets with care.
Also known as piebald, black and white is a coat combination that consists of solid black with areas of white. The white patches are caused by the white spotting gene which switches off the colour in areas of the body and can affect just a few hairs or be widespread.
The black and white colour is common in both random-bred and purebred cats.
Cats cannot eat stuffing due to the onion and garlic which are toxic to cats. Additional potential dangers include leek, chives, herbs (oregano) and fat.
Can cats eat mashed potato? Cats can eat mashed potato in moderation as long as it doesn’t contain onions, chives or garlic which are toxic to cats. Potatoes are a good source of vitamins B1, B3 and B6, vitamin C, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium and fibre. As cats are obligate carnivores, the majority of their … Read more
Cats can eat cranberry sauce in very small amounts. Cranberries themselves are a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants and fibre, promote urinary health and can make a healthy snack for cats, However, cranberry sauce is high in sugar, making it an unhealthy food choice for cats.
Aloe vera is toxic to cats, the toxic principles are anthracene and anthraquinone. The clear gel contained within the leaf is non-toxic to cats, however, when cut, the leaf secretes a white latex that contains the toxic compounds. When ingested, intestinal bacteria metabolise these toxins, which form compounds that increase mucus production and water within the colon leading to gastrointestinal disturbances.
String of dolphins (Curio peregrinus, previously Senecio peregrinus ) is toxic to cats. The toxic principles are irritant sap and pyrrolizidine alkaloids which inhibit cell division primarily in the liver which can ultimately lead to liver failure if large quantities are consumed.