Vet's warning to cat owners over common food item that can cause life-threatening condition
It's one of the tastiest foods known to humans, so why wouldn't we want to give our furry friends a taste of the deliciousness?
But fries or hot chips aren't really something cats should consume regardless of how much you want to share them.
That doesn't mean you should immediately worry if your cat happens to eat a chip or two accidently, but as a treat they're not a good idea.
Cats really shouldn't eat hot chips or fries. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The impact of fries on a cat's health varies depending on the type of chip they've eaten and how they've been made, according to Dr Claire Jenkins, director of VetChat, a telehealth service for pets.
"Some are just air-fried potato, others have ingredients you can't pronounce. A few fries probably won't cause harm, but they offer zero nutritional value and can upset your cat's stomach thanks to the oil, salt, and all the other weird stuff added – especially in fast food versions. Best to skip the fries and stick to proper cat treats," she tells nine.com.au.
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There is one specific type of hot chip that cat owners frequently Google to find out whether they can share it with their feline, and that's McDonald's fries.
Unfortunately, the answer is still no.
"McDonald's fries are heavily salted and processed, and cooked in oils that can upset your cat's digestive system. My view is that it's best to avoid offering McDonald's fries to cats," Jenkins says.
Salt is particularly a problem for cats as they can experience life-threatening salt toxicity if they consume too much of it.
"Even small amounts of salty human snacks can be harmful, so it's best to avoid them altogether. Always make sure your cat has access to clean, fresh water at all times," Jenkins warns.
The other issue with cats eating hot chips and fries is that fatty foods can put them at risk of pancreatitis.
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There are better treats for cats to enjoy than fries. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"Pancreatitis is where granules normally released with digestion get released in enormous amounts causing extreme inflammation in the pancreas," Dr Kass, veterinarian at Lort Smith Animal Hospital, explains.
"The pancreas being a very sensitive organ can take a long time to recover, and many cases require hospitalisation, feeding support and fluid therapy to help them get better. Some very severe cases can result in death due to overwhelming bodily inflammation.
"Vets always try to have fun in more sensible ways that are risk averse, so cat appropriate treats in small amounts are a better choice."