Bamboo Shoots

Raw bamboo shoots hold cyanogenic compounds (taxiphyllin) and coarse fibre that cause vomiting and diarrhoea in cats too, as heat must break them down; cats need no such vegetable, so **cook it through, chop it and offer only a tiny amount**.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, poor appetite, lethargy and hiding; after a large raw helping, rapid breathing, weakness or seizures are emergencies.

Stop feeding and **contact a vet immediately**, especially after raw shoots or with persistent vomiting, diarrhoea or breathing changes, and never induce vomiting at home.

At most a rare tiny portion, cooked for a long time and chopped very finely, with the cat watched for choking; **pickled, fermented and braised shoots are far too salty and oily**, and persistent vomiting or diarrhoea after any shoot needs a vet.

Raw bamboo shoots hold cyanogenic compounds (taxiphyllin) and coarse fibre, so raw or partly cooked shoots can cause vomiting and diarrhoea; **cook them thoroughly and for a long time**, then chop them and offer only a little.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy and drooling; after a large raw helping, rapid breathing, reddened gums, weakness, an unsteady gait or seizures are emergencies.

A little cooked shoot means stopping the treat and watching; **contact a vet immediately** after raw shoots or for persistent vomiting, diarrhoea, breathing changes or lethargy, and never induce vomiting at home.

An occasional treat only, **thoroughly and slowly cooked** and diced finely to avoid choking; **pickled, fermented and braised shoots are far too salty and oily**, and their fibre can loosen the stool, so keep treats within about 10% of daily energy intake.