(Most) cats are finicky eaters, but they’re not immune to eating things they shouldn’t. Do you know which foods you should keep away from your cat and why? There are actually more than you think. Let’s talk about the dirty dozen foods you should never allow your cat to eat.

1. Onions

Listen, most cats aren’t going to like onions but in the off chance yours does, avoid them. The sulfoxides and disulphides in raw, cooked, or even dried onions can actually break down your cat’s red blood cells. Anemia, weight loss, and GI problems can result.

2. Yeast Dough

The yeast in yeast dough causes it to expand…that can be disastrous if it happens inside your cat’s stomach. And don’t forget that alcohol is a bi-product of yeast dough, also dangerous to cats. Keep bread and pizza dough off out of reach while rising.

3. Milk

Wait, what!? Yes, it’s true! A vast majority of cats are actually lactose intolerant, though that stops few of them from drinking milk when offered. Fresh, clean water is preferable to avoid giving your cat an upset stomach or diarrhea.

4. Canned Fish

Fish in moderation isn’t bad for your cat, but canned fish isn’t the best choice. It’s typically pretty high in sodium and, in some cases, preservatives. Even preservative-free fish canned in oil contains far more fat than your cat needs.

5. Chocolate

You already know chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but it’s also bad for cats. Theobromine is the compound in chocolate that can cause heart palpitations, seizures, and even death, and the darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration. The good news? Most cats don’t like chocolate anyway.

6. Raw Meat/Eggs

Cats are naturally attracted to raw meat but that doesn’t mean you should feed it to them. The same pathogens in raw meat and eggs that can make us sick, like salmonella, can also cause serious health issues for your cat.

7. Dog Food

If you’ve got dog food around, be sure your cat doesn’t snack on it! Dog food is nutritionally quite different from cat food and actually contains enough of certain nutrients to make your cat sick. The same holds true for dog treats.

8. Caffeine 

Most cats can’t (or won’t) drink enough coffee, tea, or soda to make themselves sick, but some cats will ingest coffee grounds or used tea bags. The amount of caffeine they can get to this way can cause vomiting, elevated heart rate, and even collapse.

9. Avocado

Avocados are chock full of healthy fats…for humans. For cats, though, every single part of the avocado, from the pit to the flesh to the skin, is toxic. Even avocado leaves should be kept away from cats!

10. Grapes

Grapes, raisins, and grape juice are particularly toxic to cats. They contain compounds that can almost instantly cause kidney damage, and cats already suffering from kidney disease are even more at-risk. Keep these sweet treats away from your feline friend.

11. Stone Fruit

Stone fruit is fine for cats, although it’s a little high in sugar. What you actually need to worry about is the pits of fruits like peaches, apricots, and cherries…they contain enough cyanide to make your cat very ill. Not only that, they’re a choking hazard!

12. Alcohol

No amount of alcohol of any kind is safe for your cat. Seriously.

If your cat eats one of the foods above, contact your closest veterinary facility immediately. How quickly you take action could be the difference between life and death.