Cat safety · food & home
Foods and home things toxic to cats — the Indian list
From the Crocin in the medicine box to the onion in every tadka and the phenyl in the pocha bucket — what hurts cats, what doesn't, and the kind old habits that do harm.
Deadly at home — never these
- Paracetamol पैरासिटामोल Even part of one tablet can kill a cat — cats can't break it down safely.
- Lilies in a vase लिली का गुलदस्ता Pollen on the fur or a sip of vase water can cause kidney failure.
- Dog flea and tick spot-ons कुत्ते की पिस्सू दवा Permethrin in dog products causes tremors and seizures in cats — even a small amount.
Paracetamol, a dog's flea spot-on and lilies can kill a cat — and usually someone meant well. If it happened, go to a vet now. Don't wait for signs.
Ranked from deadly to mild
Kitchen, medicine box, cleaning cupboard, puja thali
Each shelf is ranked from deadly to mild. Search in English or हिन्दी, or tap a level.
No match. Try the Hindi or botanical name — or ask us on WhatsApp.
Kitchen 22
Leftovers, snacks, drinks and the treats cats actually beg for.
- Severe Onion प्याज़ · pyaazAllium cepa and other Allium species It destroys red blood cells days later — raw, cooked, dried or powdered. The base of almost every Indian gravy — and leftover curry is the commonest 'people food' given to pet and…
- Severe Garlic लहसुन · lehsunAllium sativum 3–5 times more toxic than onion — and cats are the most susceptible species. In almost every tadka, ginger-garlic paste, pickles and chutneys.
- Severe Chocolate चॉकलेट Theobromine and caffeine — the darker the chocolate, the worse. Gift boxes at Diwali and Rakhi, birthday cakes, cold coffee and shakes.
- Severe Alcohol शराब · sharaab Cats are especially sensitive to alcohol. Parties, Christmas plum cake and the hand-sanitiser bottle by the door.
- Severe Raw yeast dough कच्चा ख़मीर वाला आटा · kachcha khameer wala aata It keeps rising in the stomach and turns into alcohol — rare, but an emergency. Bhatura, naan, kulcha, pav and pizza dough left to rise on the counter.
- Moderate Grapes and raisins अंगूर / किशमिश · angoor / kishmish A precaution: in cats there are only anecdotal reports — but grapes cause kidney failure in dogs. Fruit bowls, dry-fruit boxes and almost every festive sweet.
- Moderate Chai and coffee चाय / कॉफ़ी · chai / coffee Caffeine. Cups of chai on low tables and the floor — cats love lapping the milky top.
- Moderate Salt, namkeen and achaar नमक / नमकीन / अचार · namak / namkeen / achaar Too much salt causes salt poisoning — and pickles and namkeen often add garlic. Snack bowls at tea time, papad at meals and achaar jars on the table.
- Moderate Curry, masala and chilli मसाला / करी / मिर्च · masala / curry / mirch The onion–garlic base is the danger; chilli itself mostly irritates. Leftover curry is the commonest 'people food' given to Indian cats and strays.
- Moderate Cooked bones and fish bones पकी हुई हड्डी / मछली का काँटा · paki hui haddi / machhli ka kaanta Not a poison — a choking and injury risk; curry bones add onion and garlic. Leftovers from chicken and mutton curry and fish fry — very often given to cats and strays.
- Moderate Raw fish कच्ची मछली · kachchi machhli As a regular diet, raw carp-type fish destroys vitamin B1; raw fish also carries infections. Fish-cutting scraps, especially in eastern and coastal India.
- Moderate Tuna- or fish-only diet Oily-fish-only diets can cause painful 'yellow fat disease'. Homes that feed canned tuna or sardines every day.
- Moderate Liver कलेजी · kaleji Fine now and then; as the main food, too much vitamin A fuses the neck bones. Cheap, loved by cats — and often fed every day.
- Moderate Dog food कुत्ते का खाना · kutte ka khaana A mouthful is harmless; as the main diet it lacks taurine. Multi-pet homes and stray feeders who share dog kibble.
- Moderate Fat trimmings and ghee चर्बी / घी · charbi / ghee Rich, fatty food can upset the gut and even trigger pancreatitis. Ghee-rich festive cooking and fat trimmed off meat.
- Mild Milk, paneer and curd दूध / पनीर / दही · doodh / paneer / dahi Not a poison — but most cats can't digest lactose and get diarrhoea. 'Billi ko doodh pilao' — a saucer of milk is India's classic gift to cats, at home and on the street.
- Mild Xylitol ज़ाइलिटॉल Not shown to be toxic to cats (one small study) — but deadly to dogs. Sugar-free gum, mints and sugar-free mithai.
- Mild Mithai and festival sweets मिठाई · mithai A lick of plain barfi is unlikely to harm; chocolate, kishmish or lots of ghee raise the risk. Sweet boxes at every festival, wedding and puja.
- Mild Raw egg कच्चा अंडा · kachcha anda Germs and a vitamin-blocking protein — cooked egg is fine.
- Mild Lemon and orange नींबू / संतरा · nimbu / santara A little fruit causes at most a minor upset; citrus essential oils are a serious hazard.
- ?Not assessed Ginger अदरक · adrakZingiber officinale No authoritative cat data — and low-quality websites disagree. In chai, tadka, ginger-garlic paste and home remedies for nausea.
- ?Not assessed Mango आम · aam No authoritative cat data. Every summer kitchen.
Medicines & remedies 4
The medicine box and the 'natural' remedies people try on cats.
- Deadly Paracetamol पैरासिटामोल Even part of one tablet can kill a cat — cats can't break it down safely. In practically every medicine box — and given by kind owners for 'bukhaar' (fever) or pain.
- Deadly Dog flea and tick spot-ons कुत्ते की पिस्सू दवा · kutte ki pissu dawa Permethrin in dog products causes tremors and seizures in cats — even a small amount. Multi-pet homes: the dog's spot-on put on the cat to save money, or a cat cuddling a freshly treated dog.
- Severe Ibuprofen and aspirin आइबुप्रोफ़ेन / एस्पिरिन · ibuprofen / aspirin Cats are far more sensitive to these painkillers than dogs, and aspirin lingers in a cat's body for days. The medicine box: headache, fever and period-pain tablets.
- Severe Essential oils एसेंशियल ऑयल · essential oil Cats can't break down the phenols and terpenes in oils — on the skin or licked, they cause tremors and liver failure. Diffusers, Ayurvedic massage oils, eucalyptus oil for colds and 'herbal' flea sprays.
Cleaning & home 7
Floor cleaners, sprays, mothballs, rat poison and the ashtray.
- Deadly Rat poison चूहे मारने की दवा · choohe maarne ki dawa Deadly whether eaten directly or in a poisoned rat — and the signs can come days late. Kitchens, shops, godowns and building basements; Ratol paste is freely sold in India.
- Severe Phenyl and phenol cleaners फिनाइल · phenyl Phenols and cresols are 'highly toxic to cats': severe if licked or drunk; daily floor residue is a moderate risk. The daily pocha water, bathrooms, stairwells and society common areas.
- Severe Naphthalene balls नेफ़थलीन की गोली · naphthalene ki goli Cats are more sensitive to mothballs than other species. Wardrobes, trunks of woollens, bathroom urinals and drains — and sometimes scattered to 'keep away' cats…
- Severe Cigarettes, gutka and vape liquid सिगरेट / गुटखा · cigarette / gutka Nicotine acts fast with a narrow safety margin. Ashtrays, sachets on low shelves and vape refills — see also the tobacco plant.
- Moderate Lizol-type disinfectant cleaners फ़र्श साफ़ करने वाला लिक्विड · farsh saaf karne wala liquid Painful mouth ulcers from residue groomed off the paws — rarely fatal, often delayed. Daily floor and counter disinfection — used heavily since COVID.
- Moderate Insect sprays, coils and vaporisers कीड़े मारने का स्प्रे / मच्छर कॉइल · keede maarne ka spray / machchhar coil Cats are prone to pyrethroid poisoning; household-strength data in cats are lacking. Cockroach and mosquito sprays, coils and plug-in vaporisers in most homes.
- Moderate Detergents and laundry pods डिटर्जेंट · detergent Pods burst when bitten; most exposed pets developed signs. Open detergent tubs by the washing machine and buckets of soapy water.
Puja & festivals 5
Puja, Holi, Diwali and wedding things that end up at paw height.
- Deadly Lilies in a vase लिली का गुलदस्ता · lily ka guldasta Pollen on the fur or a sip of vase water can cause kidney failure. Gift bouquets, wedding and stage décor and puja flowers — read the full lily guide.
- Severe Camphor कपूर · kapoor The most toxic of the mothball ingredients — absorbed through the skin; never for cats. Daily aarti, the puja thali, camphor in cupboards and water bowls, and pain balms on the bedside table.
- Moderate Holi colours होली के रंग / गुलाल · Holi ke rang / gulaal Synthetic colours may carry heavy metals, and cats lick them off while grooming. Holi (February–March), when colours get thrown on street and pet animals.
- Moderate Firecracker residue पटाखे · pataakhe Chlorates, nitrates, barium and heavy metals — harmful if a cat eats the residue. Diwali, weddings and New Year — on balconies, terraces and stairs.
- Mild Agarbatti and dhoop smoke अगरबत्ती / धूप · agarbatti / dhoop A long-term airway irritant — more of a worry for cats with asthma. Daily puja, often in a small, closed room.
Kind habits, unkind results
Myth or fact? Kind habits that hurt
Most poisonings at home start with someone trying to help. No judgement — just what the vets say.
-
Myth“Give the cat a Crocin for fever”
FactParacetamol is highly toxic to cats: even a small dose can cause severe illness or death (International Cat Care). A feverish cat needs a vet, never a human tablet.
Paracetamol -
Myth“Lilies only harm a cat that eats them”
FactPollen licked off the fur and water from the vase can be enough to cause fatal kidney failure (International Cat Care).
Lilies in a vase -
Myth“The dog's spot-on works on the cat too”
Fact'Dog flea products should never be used on cats' (International Cat Care) — even small amounts of permethrin cause severe signs. Use only cat-labelled products from your vet.
Dog flea and tick spot-ons -
Myth“A little curry won't hurt a cat”
FactThe onion and garlic in the tadka damage red blood cells, and the effect can build up. Feed plain cooked chicken or fish instead.
Onion -
Myth“Phenyl every day keeps the house safe for pets”
FactMerck's veterinary manual says phenol disinfectants are 'best avoided' wherever cats live. Use a phenol-free cleaner, rinse, and let the floor dry.
Phenyl and phenol cleaners -
Myth“Kapoor is natural and purifies the air, so it's safe around pets”
FactCamphor is the most toxic of the mothball ingredients (MSD) and 'should never be applied to dogs or cats' (Pet Poison Helpline). Keep it shut away.
Camphor -
Myth“A little lehsun keeps fleas and ticks away”
FactThere's no evidence garlic controls fleas — and cats are the species most sensitive to its toxin. Use a vet-recommended, cat-labelled flea product.
Garlic -
Myth“Mothballs keep cats away”
FactCats are more sensitive to mothballs than other species (Pet Poison Helpline). Use humane deterrents instead.
Naphthalene balls -
Myth“Natural oils are safe home remedies for cats”
Fact'Natural' isn't safe: tea tree oil on the skin causes nervous-system depression, and neem oil has caused seizures in cats. Ask your vet for cat-safe products.
Essential oils -
Myth“Kerosene takes Holi colour off quickly”
FactNever use kerosene or spirits on a cat. Use a mild pet shampoo, and see a vet if colour reached the eyes.
Holi colours -
Myth“Leftover dal-chawal or curry is a fine diet for a cat”
FactCats are obligate carnivores that need nutrients found only in animal foods, and curry adds onion, garlic, salt and fat. Make complete cat food the base, with plain cooked chicken, fish or egg as extras.
Curry, masala and chilli -
Myth“Cats need milk — billi ko doodh pilao”
FactMost cats are lactose intolerant to some degree, and Cornell's Feline Health Center does not recommend milk even as a treat. Fresh water is what cats need.
Milk, paneer and curd -
Myth“Cats love mithai”
FactCats lack working sweet-taste receptors (Pet Poison Helpline), so sweets give them nothing but fat, lactose and sometimes chocolate or kishmish.
Mithai and festival sweets -
Myth“Dal-chawal is enough for a street cat”
FactPlain rice and dal aren't toxic, but as a staple they leave cats short of protein, taurine and vitamin A. Add plain cooked chicken, fish or egg, or a complete cat food.
Plain rice, roti and dal
Safe in small amounts
Plain, cooked and boneless — a treat, not a diet. Keep treats to about 10–15% of the day's food (Cornell), with a complete cat food as the base.
Cats vs dogs
Cats are not small dogs
Much of the internet copies dog advice. Some poisons are far worse in cats; some famous dog poisons have only weak evidence in cats — we say which.
Worse in cats than in dogs
- Onion and garlic Cats are the most sensitive species.
- Paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin Cats can't break them down safely.
- Phenyl and essential oils The same missing liver pathway.
- Permethrin spot-ons Used on many dogs; deadly for cats.
- Lilies Kidney failure — in cats only.
Dog poisons with weak cat evidence
- Xylitol Deadly to dogs; one small study found no harm in cats.
- Grapes and raisins Kidney failure in dogs; cat reports are anecdotal only.
- Avocado Mainly a problem for birds, rabbits and grazing animals (ASPCA).
Weak evidence isn't proof of safety — keep these away from all pets anyway.
Think your cat ate something poisonous?
- Call your vet or go to a 24×7 pet clinic now — say what, when and roughly how much.
- Take the plant, the packet or a clear photo with you.
- Don't make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.
- No milk, oil, salt water or home remedies.
- A cat that looks fine can still be poisoned — lilies, onion, garlic and rat poison act late.
India has no pet poison helpline yet — the US lines serve North America. Near Noida and can't find an open vet? Message us and we'll help you find one. We can't give medical advice.
Good to know
Food questions, answered
Still unsure? Ask your vet. Near Noida and need help finding one? Message us — we'll help you find a vet, never play one.
Can cats drink milk?
It isn't poisonous, but most adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree and get diarrhoea within 8–12 hours. Cornell's Feline Health Center doesn't recommend milk even as a treat. Give fresh water; orphan kittens need a kitten milk replacer from the vet.
Can I give my cat paracetamol (Crocin, Dolo) for fever?
Never. Cats can't break paracetamol down, so even a small part of one tablet can destroy red blood cells and the liver. A feverish cat needs a vet — and no human tablet, ever.
Can cats eat onion or garlic?
No. Both damage red blood cells, raw or cooked, and the anaemia shows 3–5 days later; garlic is 3–5 times more toxic than onion. Call your vet even if your cat seems fine after eating onion-heavy curry.
Can cats eat ginger?
There's no authoritative data on ginger in cats, and low-quality websites disagree. A lick of ginger chai is unlikely to matter, but don't use ginger to treat your cat's nausea — and ginger-garlic paste contains garlic.
Can I feed my cat leftover curry or dal-chawal?
Not as a habit. Most gravies are built on onion and garlic, plus salt and oil, and cats are obligate carnivores that need animal protein. Plain cooked chicken, fish or egg make good treats; a complete cat food should be the base.
Is phenyl safe to use if I have a cat?
Phenol and cresol cleaners are 'best avoided' where cats live (Merck Veterinary Manual) — cats walk through the residue and lick their paws. Use a phenol-free cleaner, rinse, and let the floor dry before your cat comes back.
Can cats eat grapes or kishmish?
Best not. Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure in dogs; in cats there are only anecdotal reports. The evidence is weak, but the possible harm is serious — call your vet if your cat ate some.
Can I use my dog's flea medicine on my cat?
No. Many dog spot-ons contain permethrin, which causes tremors, seizures and death in cats — even a small amount. Use only cat-labelled products from your vet.
What can I safely feed a street cat?
Fresh water, plain cooked chicken or fish without bones, plain cooked egg — and a complete cat food if you can. Skip milk, curry and bones.
Where these facts come from
Every item lists its own sources with links: the Merck Veterinary Manual, ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, Cornell's Feline Health Center and peer-reviewed papers — plus Indian product labels and news reports for the India-only items, which we mark as such. There is no Indian poisoning data yet, so the order on each shelf is our judgement of harm × how often Indian cats meet it.
Facts last checked
General information for cat parents, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. The facts come from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, International Cat Care, the Merck Veterinary Manual and the other sources listed on every page — and we say so when the evidence comes from dogs or people. If your cat may have eaten something harmful, call your vet.
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