Throughout our collection of information on this web site, as well as in our book, we stress how different the cat truly is compared to us humans, and that the well meaning application of nutritional and medical recommendations meant for humans, can in fact be fatal for the cat.

To underline the importance of our position on this subject, for all those who have been sceptical about our teachings, we can now outline a perfect example of it - which nearly cost one of Feline Future's cats his life.

For human health, tomatoes are credited with cancer fighting properties, and as a rich source of antioxidants. I have no doubt that some people, uneducated about feline nutrition, may add this fruit to their cat's diet, hoping to achieve a similar affect. However, most people, including veterinarians, are unaware that tomato, as a member of the Nightshade family, contains a bitter poisonous alkaloid called "Solanine". Solanine is toxic to humans as well, but it requires a much more concentrated amount, like that found in green potatoes and potato sprouts, to induce sickness. For the carnivore cat, on the other side, traces of Solanin, like those found in just a 100g of cherry tomatoes, can be fatal!

Recently, one of Feline Future's cats ingested about 100g of fresh, organic cherry tomatoes, which someone had accidentally left out. This particular cat has a history of being attracted to foods unusual for a feline, and will also consume a variety of fruit if offered to him.

Not realizing the true danger of the situation when we found out about it later in the day, we did not induce vomiting, because the cat seemed fine.

24 hours later, the cat began to vomit in 3-4 hour intervals. The Veterinarian attending this case was unaware of Solanine poisoning, and wrote it off as a case of "dietary indiscretion". Although the cat was still eating, food was usually regurgitated one hour after ingestion.

48 hours after consumption of the tomatoes, the cat started to refuse all food, but began to drink. Vomiting persisted, and large amounts of offensive smelling liquids were expelled due to increased water intake.

The cat became lethargic and withdrew. X-ray and blood tests ruled out an intestinal blockage, or viral infection. He was severely dehydrated, and received Subcutaneous fluids.

On the forth day after ingestion of the tomatoes, the cat's breathing was laboured and rapid. When he moved it was slow with trembling of the limbs.

Day 5 brought no change. He remained very lethargic and his breathing was rapid and laboured. He had not eaten in 5 days. Hospitalisation and intravenous fluid therapy were considered - the cat was dying. A second Veterinarian was consulted, and treatment with Homeopathy for poisoning was recommended. The cat finally showed marginal improvement on day 6 of the ordeal.

Today, 2 weeks after the tomatoes were consumed, the cat is still recovering.

The Merck Veterinary Manual 8th edition
adapted from p. 2120 Plants Poisonous to animals