Lobster

Shell and claw fragments cut or block a cat's gut just as easily, and raw lobster carries bacteria and parasites, so it must be cooked and shelled; lobster is a common allergen and a cat can react severely, so start with a tiny amount.

Retching, drooling, repeated swallowing, vomiting, trouble swallowing and lethargy; allergy can bring facial and eyelid swelling, itching and hives, while swallowed shell may cause pain and refusal to eat.

**Contact a vet immediately** if shell was swallowed, or for retching, trouble swallowing, facial swelling or laboured breathing, and never induce vomiting at home or pull a piece out by hand.

At most a rice-grain-sized piece of shelled cooked white meat; **always cook it through and remove every shell, gill and organ**; **never give garlic-butter or cheese-baked lobster**, and **skip the fatty tomalley**; complete cat food stays the main diet.

**Hard shell and claw fragments can cut or block the gut** and cause foreign-body emergencies; raw crustaceans carry bacteria and parasites so lobster must be cooked through, and it is a common allergen, while butter or cheese versions add fat and alliums.

Retching, drooling, repeated swallowing, vomiting after eating, trouble swallowing and lethargy; swallowed shell may bring pain, black stools or refusal to eat, and allergy shows as facial swelling, itching and hives.

**Contact a vet immediately** if shell was swallowed, or for retching, trouble swallowing, laboured breathing, facial swelling or hives; never induce vomiting at home and never pull a piece out by hand.

Offer only a tiny piece of shelled white meat, **cooked through with every shell, gill and organ removed**; **never feed garlic-butter or cheese-baked lobster**, keep the fatty tomalley minimal, and keep complete dog food as the main diet.