I understand that dogs are diabetics (especially in their old ages) and they got blind or even die when they eat sugar. Is this issue applies to cats as well? Can I give my cat ice cream, or some other dessert like that?

Also, I read that cacao (i.e.; chocolate, etc) is poisonous for dogs. Is that same for cats? For being cautious, are there any other poisonous food for cats?

For the most part, foods that are dangerous/toxic to dogs are also toxic to cats, so chocolate, garlic, onion (garlic is more toxic than this, though), grapes and raisins, caffeine and alcohol are all potentially dangerous.

There are other foods that are dangerous (not sure if his applies to dogs as well): Tomato (all aspects of plant and fruit), potato (raw and plant), some species of mushroom and Macadamia Nuts. There are probably a few more, but I think these are the main ones

Yes, cats can indeed develop diabetes. I honestly cannot remember if too much sugar can indeed cause this. I know that cats cannot taste sugar at all (as they don't get any sugary foods in the wild, so I guess evolved without developing such a taste for it). Your cat would probably like ice cream because of all the dairy products in there! Hopefully someone else will come along and answer this for you

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For the first time I will have to disagree with Vampyria on a couple of things. Sorry Vampyria Garlic is less poisonous to cats than onion I believe as it contains less of the disulphides found in onions.

Green tomatoes are poisonous but cooked red tomatoes are fine - so you are ok with the tomatoes sauce that tinned fish comes in. There are also quite a few cat foods out there that contain tomatoes, which is fine as it is cooked as well as small quantities.

Raw potato is poisonous but again is ok to feed when cooked.

Check here for more info: HUMAN FOODSTUFFS BAD FOR CATS

I guess you should ask yourself why you would like to feed your cat human deserts? Are you worried about your cat steeling it off your plate or would you actually go out of your way to give your cat sugary stuff.

I guess sugar is implicated in feline diabetes as well but perhaps more caused by carbs (grains) in cat food than sugar as cat food contains relatively small amounts of sugar. But perhaps someone else who knows more about feline diabetes will come along soon who knows what's what.

I had a cat who was insulin dependant diabetic,as far as I'm aware it is a condition caused either by the body not producing insulin or not being able to use the insulin the body produces.This then causes excessive glucose in the blood.I think PaddyPaws is the diabetic expert around here.So hopefully she will be along at some point to clarify .

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Well I am no more expert than you or many others Buffie....just dealing with my diabetic boy as well as I can!
I don't know about cats not being able to taste sweet things....apparently that is why they are prone to poisoning from anti-freeze because they are drawn to the sweet taste. I know Paddy was always keen on Canteloupe melon and other sweet foods.
We do know that cats have no requirement for sugar in their diet and even lack the necessary digestive enzymes to break down sugars or starches.
I don't think that occasionally allowing a cat to lick a yoghurt pot lid is the end of the world....but I do firmly believe that a long term diet of starchy food in the form of dry kibble is likely to greatly increase it's chances of developing diabetes.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Sorry PP's I just thought you may be more clued up as to what is behind the developing of diabetes.Are my thoughts on its development right that it is a medical condition ,caused by an inability to breakdown glucose in the blood.

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Oh I agree with you Buffie....as I understand it because a cat has no need for sugar/carbohydrate, and a very weak ability to deal with it in terms of metabolising it...over time the pancreas becomes exhausted and begins to fail. Excess glucose in the blood stream is actually toxic to the feline pancreas and kills off the Beta cells which produce insulin....so the longer the cat has high blood sugar levels, the more damage is done and the less able it is to deal with future onslaught of carbs.

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Nellie Paddy Mitzy Milo Peggy Murphy

Millie and Monty, the White Devils!

Thanks PP's, after I had written the post I thought ,I'll look a real plank if after 7 years of injecting insulin into my cat I have the cause wrong

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It is easy to control what our cats eat. The difficult thing is to control the habits of ourselves. I don't think I can survive for one month without eating anything sweet!

It isnt easy to control what a cat eats unless it is an" indoor cat " which mine have always been.Even then they are thieves and will steal if given the chance

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