Most pet owners tend to give their pets the same food as they had recently, thinking that they would be fine with all the food humans can eat. It is important to say that that’s not the case, and even the most healthy human food can be harmful.
A great example is grapes. They’re so healthy to humans that we include them in salads. So what exactly makes grapes toxic to cats?
Grapes cause a syndrome known as toxicosis, where kidney failures are expected within a day or two, so it is important that if a cat had accidentally ingested a grape, they be taken to the vet quickly. Toxicosis first manifests as either lethargy or hyperactivity, loss of appetite, an upset stomach, and dehydration leading to increased thirst.
Veterinarians are still unsure of the exact reason, but they have narrowed down specific possible culprits.
The first is mycotoxins which are fungal toxins that are known to cause kidney damage in non-human mammals. Another possible cause of cats’ kidney damage is the salicylate content, which may be too high for them. The other possibility is tartaric acid, and there are studies being done on why that is.
While they work on that, cat owners should always watch what they give their cats, especially since so many foods we perceive as impossible to be harmful can actually be nearly fatal to them. Additionally, it might be helpful to install barriers or find other ways to keep their cats away from any wild grapes grown nearby.
Reference:
UntamedCatFood. (n.d.-b). Can cats eat grapes? Is your cat in danger if they do? Untamed. Retrieved August 7, 2022, from https://www.untamedcatfood.com/blogs/nutrition/can-cats-eat-grapes:
