Toxic foods to look out for as a new cat parent

Once you've decided to bring your new feline home from a New York animal shelter, you may start to notice that the old adage about cats being curious is certainly true. No countertop or shelf is off-limits to your nimble feline, which could put some potentially dangerous foods within reach of your new companion. While you can't watch your cat 24/7, there are a few foods out there that can give your feline some serious trouble, so when you bring the following items home, make sure to put them in a safe place.

1. Avocados. While avocados are the choice of healthfood nuts everywhere, they contain an ingredient called persin that can cause gastrointestinal irritation in cats, reports CatChannel.com. This can result in vomiting, diarrhea and other uncomfortable side effects for your feline if he or she eats the fruit, seeds or skin of the plant. Keep these inside your refrigerator and make an effort to properly dispose of them after each meal.

2. Onions. Whether in cooked or raw form, your feline should never eat onions under any circumstances, reports EntirelyPets.com. Onions have a specific substance called N-propyl disulphide, which has the ability to destroy red blood cells and can actually lead to anemia. Much like the avocados, keep these items in a safe place in your kitchen and clean up intensively after each meal to prevent your cat from ingesting any pieces.

3. Milk. The stereotypical image of a feline drinking milk from a saucer may be stuck in your mind, but milk isn't actually necessary for the health and well-being of your feline. Cats can be lactose intolerant, which can lead to a wide range of gastrointestinal issues like cramps. It may be best to leave milk out of your feline's diet entirely and stick with healthier snacks when looking to give your companion a treat.

4. Raw eggs. If you happen to drop an egg on the floor, don't let your feline come near it! Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which can limit your feline's ability to absorb B vitamins. This can lead to skin and coat problems, which can certainly be very uncomfortable. Additionally, salmonella is always a big risk with raw eggs, so make sure you take care of any messes quickly before your curious cat comes along.