Full Moon in Libra & Toxic Passover Foods For Pets

Some common toxic Passover foods for pets including cats and dogs:

1. Chocolate – Some Passover desserts may contain chocolate, which is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures.
2. Onions and Garlic – Some Passover dishes may contain onions and garlic, which are also toxic to cats and can cause anemia and gastrointestinal upset.
3. Grapes and Raisins including grape juice or Kosher wine. Some Passover dishes may contain grapes or raisins, which can be toxic to cats and cause kidney failure.
4. Nuts – Some Passover desserts and snacks may contain nuts, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis in cats.
5. Cooked bones are a choking hazard.
6. Matzah – While matzah itself is not toxic to cats, it can be difficult for them to digest and may cause gastrointestinal upset if given in large quantities. Ditto matzo ball soup which is chicken broth with boiled balls made of matzo meal. FYI: matzo, also spelled matzoh, matza, or matzah; plural matzos, matzot, matzoth, matzas, or matzahs, unleavened bread eaten by Jews during the holiday of Passover (Pesacḥ) commemorating their Exodus from Egypt.
7. Gefilte fish. Some go crazy for this salty, fishy treat but please avoid. Gefilte fish (from the Yiddish for “stuffed fish”) is a Jewish dish consisting of ground, freshwater fish such as whitefish, pike, and carp that has been mixed with eggs, onions, matzo and seasonings before being shaped into balls or quenelles and poached in a flavorful fish broth made from the head and bones of the fish. The collagen in the fish bones enriches the stock, giving it a jelly-esque consistency when cooled.

The most deadly hazard for cats during the spring/Passover/Easter time isn’t food but flowers. Please check our Vet 101: Willie and the Toxic Lilies

It’s not just lilies that are toxic but all bulb-type flowers popular in spring like tulips and hyacinth.Vet 101:When Sniffs Can Kill

It’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid giving your cat any Passover foods that you are not certain are safe for them. Odin, our non-observant Jewish cat (according to my husband) pictured below says, “Every holiday is good time for treats but make them safe and healthy ones.”

This year Passover, Good Friday and Easter Sunday fall very close to each other. I will post my annual Easter post on Friday. Whatever you are celebrating or not, take good care of yourself and your cats.

Much love,

Layla, Odin & the Angel kitties

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