Wwhen Theresa MacPhail was four, her brother was killed in an accident. When she was 14, her mother died in a car accident. And when she was 24, her father died of anaphylactic shock after a bee flew through the open window of his truck and stung him in the neck. For anyone else, these devastating experiences would almost certainly be psychologically devastating. "I have several friends who are psychology professors and they always say, 'No offense, but by rights you must be a drug addict or have serious emotional problems,'" she says, smiling, over Zoom from her home. in New York, wearing a cheerful sweatshirt covered in bright kittens.
Instead, MacPhail decided to use what she had been through as a foundation for her doctorate at UC Berkeley and then her career in medicineanthropologist. She laughs. “I'm like the doyen of death. I've thought all my life about the things that make people sick and die because of my story. These are the waters I have been in since I was a child. Instead of ignoring it, I decided to stop all my fears and insecurities about mortality. And then I practically made it my profession."
Much of MacPhail's anthropological research has been about our collective fear of viruses, but six years ago and in her late 40s, recurring chest infections led to her unexpected diagnosis of respiratory allergies. “When you're 24, you think you're invincible, so the only time I thought about whether I had the same allergy as my dad was when a bee came to me. But after I was diagnosed, I told all my friends to try to figure out what I'm allergic to, and it turns out they all have an allergy story. And then I thought, "Wait, how common are allergies?" I had questions about is this happening to us now or was it the same in the past? I found academic articles but nothing accessible. I was complaining to a friend who is also a medical anthropologist. And that conversation is now famous in my mind, because he said, 'Hey, aren't you a researcher?'"
The result is an extremely comprehensive and readable book,Allergic: How our immune system reacts to a changing world, five years in the making and the first to track both the history of allergies and the state of modern allergy science, while also trying to understand how, nearly 30 years ago, her father became unknowingly and fatally allergic to her venom bee, and if she can be too. If this sounds outrageously complicated, it was. “Every allergist I interviewed told me it couldn't be done. Everyone was like, "What are you trying to do?" And I said, "I'm trying to do the whole story." And they said, "All allergies?" And I said, "Yeah," and they said, "Good luck."
It is amazing that this is the first popular science book of its kind. “Culturally, people have educated themselves that allergies are not a big deal. But allergies are a signal that your immune system is not happy with the world you live in. And I think that's a conversation we all need to have."
Despite interviewing nearly every top allergist and allergy researcher in the world and undergoing extensive testing, it is highly unlikely that MacPhail will ever know exactly what she is allergic to unless she is unlucky enough to have an extreme and therefore very visible reaction. Her experience mirrors that of many allergy sufferers. My six year old daughter has a respiratory allergy and even after testing we have no idea why. Because it is mild and not life threatening we have not been able to get a referral to a specialist NHS allergist, even though it makes life miserable. She also had allergies to cow's milk and soy protein as a baby, making her one of the 48% of allergic people who have more than one allergy.
"The only way to know for sure if you have an allergy is to see someone who specializes in it," says MacPhail. “But I don't want to go into it, because a lot of people just can't: there aren't that many allergists and it's not a popular specialty. And if your allergies don't qualify, you'll pay out of pocket." Other factors also affect access to services. "For example, with skin allergy, for years people were only educated on white skin, so eczema can be underdiagnosed in brown skin," says MacPhail. In the UK, getting a referral or prescription may depend on the amount of training your particular doctor has undertaken voluntarily – allergies only became a compulsory part of the GP curriculum in 2019, meaning many doctors may not have any allergy education, despite allergies being the subject of 8% of all doctor appointments. There are only 40 adult allergy consultants and even fewer specialist paediatricians working in the NHS, according to the charityAllergy UK, which is currently calling for specialist allergy nurses to be placed in all GP practices, following a trial in which 95% of allergy patients were successfully treated in their practice.
Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that our allergy problem is getting worse, but until recently it's been hard to be sure. We're better at diagnosing allergies than we were, say, two centuries ago, and the theory has always been that back then, people were more worried about tuberculosis or any of the myriad other things that could kill you or the kids your on the pre-antibiotic. and antiseptic age. A runny nose, an itchy rash, or an upset stomach would barely register, meaning that while fatal reactions to bites and stings certainly occurred, if there were respiratory, dermatological, or food allergies, no one took much notice. (On the other hand, diarists like Pepys recorded every wheeze, so if chronic allergies were common before the Industrial Revolution, surely debilitated sufferers would have left evidence behind?)
MacPhail, however, has rallieda body of data that conclusively shows that yes, we are becoming more allergic. There is a study from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network showing that peanut allergy is now occurring in1 in 70 children, up from 1 in 250 in 1997. In the US, on average, someone now arrives at an A&E every two hours with a severe allergic reaction. ONEstudyfrom Imperial College London suggests anaphylaxis due to food allergy increased by 5.7% between 1998 and 2018. US hospital admissions for asthma tripled between 1970 and 1990, and asthma rates continue to rise in developing countries.
It's harder to measure either national or global rates of less devastating allergies, such as hay fever, which was first seen in the 1800s, or allergies that cause local reactions, in part because so many people self-diagnose — sometimes accurately , sometimes not – and because doctors don't always recognize or record allergies. MacPhail's conservative estimate, after trawling through high-quality global datasets, is that 10% of the world's population – 800 million people – will develop a respiratory allergy at some point in their lives. But he says it's impossible to know exactly how many people have other allergies because there is so much variation in how a person is diagnosed, if at all. Allergy UK says that one in three Britons will develop an allergy in their lifetime and that 50% of UK children currently have an allergy. Research from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that by 2025 up to half of Europeans may have an allergy. We may not have exact numbers, but it's clear that allergies are a big problem and getting bigger.
Another problem with the data – often based on self-report – is the public's misunderstanding of the difference between intolerance and allergies. "Most of us don't understand what the results of a scratch test show," says MacPhail, about tests that are done by breaking the skin and applying a tiny amount of potential allergens, then waiting to see if there's a skin reaction. "They just tell you if you have sensitivity. The difference between sensitivity, intolerance and allergy is the number one thing all allergists want us to understand."
Can he help us? “That's why it's so important to get access to better care, because it's almost impossible to know without seeing an allergist. The best example is lactose intolerance versus milk allergy. They may look similar, but the difference is that when you're intolerant, you don't produce the enzyme that breaks down the milk protein, which gives you an upset stomach and really makes you feel bad. You also don't feel well if you have a milk allergy and you consume milk, but the difference is that you activatemast cells,basophils,T-cellsandIgEantibodies and your whole system kicks in. But it's really hard symptom-wise – unless you go into anaphylaxis – to know which is intolerance and which is allergy.”
When it comes to scratch tests, it's even more confusing. “If someone thinks they have a milk allergy and reacts every time they drink milk, but they have a blood test that shows normal antibody levels and their skin test is negative, then the chance of an allergy is slim to none. On the other hand, the scratch test could leave you with a huge amount of stress on your arm, but you've never had a reaction to milk in real life." Without an allergist taking your case history and family history and piecing together the various blood and skin results, a rash just means you have a sensitivity – which may never lead to symptoms and doesn't necessarily mean you need to change behavior your.
It's also easier to be taken seriously when you call your symptoms an allergy. "I want to emphasize that intolerances are terrible and I understand why it is confusing. OnReddit, there's a subreddit about allergies, and people post pictures of eyelashes on their arms or backs after a scratch test, saying, "Look at all the things I'm allergic to."
“These poor people will avoid all these things when they don't have to. And here's the rub: if you avoid something, you may actually accidentally trigger an allergy because you're denying your immune system the training it needs to tolerate it. You think you're allergic to milk, you don't drink milk, and your body forgets what milk protein looks like. The next time you swallow it, you may have given yourself an allergic response."
So why are we becoming more allergic? “No one knows what the smoking gun is. It is multifactorial. This is quite overwhelming and thinking about what the solution would be is also overwhelming. I asked each expert, "What is the cause?" They all refused to answer and simply said "Everything". It's everything we do."
There are many things that MacPhail's exhaustive research shows are part of the allergenic picture. The mass movement of people into cities during industrialisation, reducing our access to daylight, animals, dirt and native plants (the UK industrialized first and fastest, which may explain why we are in the top three of the world for allergies). More of us live in homes that are warmer, more damped, more moldy and more filled with upholstery-loving dust mites. Children who play less outdoors in the first three years of life. Vitamin D deficiency due to shift to an office-based economy. Using cleaning products that kill bacteria and irritate the lungs. Antibacterial wipes. Genetics. hormones. Using dishwashers, which remove all traces of potentially protective bacteria from our crockery. Antibiotics. An increase in cesarean births and a decrease in breastfeeding rates, which appear to affect the newborn's microbiome and are associated with higher allergy rates. Climate change is causing higher pollen levels. Air pollution. Its useproton pump inhibitorssuch as Nexium for digestive problems. Even garden cities and our increased focus on urban greenery can increase nasal allergies. "Studies have shown that access to green spaces is good for our mental health. Except that when I read about green projects now, because of my research, I'm like, "Oh, what kind of trees are they going to plant though?"
Basically, whatAllergicit shows that our immune system has not adapted at all to the modern world. “Many clinicians have told me that if we could do an experiment where everyone lived like they did in the 1600s, allergies would go down. but, of course, none of us are going to do that,” he says. Intriguingly, MacPhail also notes that companion animals such as cats and dogs are also becoming more allergic, but that there is no sign that the same is happening in wild animals, indicating that a large part of the puzzle lies within in our houses.
"We all want an answer. And then we can all just stop doing X, whatever X is, and the allergy problem will go away. It doesn't work like that – it's very complicated and highlights how little we know about basic immune mechanisms." MacPhail would love to see more money go to better understanding allergies and the immune system, rather than applied research looking for drug treatments that simply adjust the numbers within the immune system and which have side effects. “I hope Bill Gates reads the book, because his global health care budget is $8 billion. Not to be too cynical, but drug companies make a lot of money off of allergies because they're usually lifelong. Dupixent, for example, is a really amazing drug and does great things for people with eczema, but it has to be taken for life. It costs up to $4,200 a month. It's already a $4 billion drug and could be a $12-20 billion drug by the time it's done. It's very profitable just to lower the immune system."
MacPhail worries that the book can't do what people might hope. “Allergies really complicate people's existence and their quality of life is dramatically reduced. Everything from sleep to alertness and mood. There are higher rates of depression and anxiety among people who have moderate to severe allergies, and parents of children who have a life-threatening food allergy have higher levels of stress than someone who just had a heart attack. It's a lot to live up to. And to come on stage and say, 'I'm so sorry, there's no easy way out,' that's not what people want to hear."
Granted, my situation is not as dire as other families, but I actually found the book deeply reassuring. Now that I know there is no way I can search in the middle of the night for the source of my daughter's allergies and that the causes are far beyond my individual control, I can stop my search and focus on reducing her symptoms as long as possible. as much as possible.
"Allergies are canaries in the coal mine," says MacPhail, who is no longer so happy. “Allergy rates will continue to rise. We have to start thinking hard things and we have to start doing hard things, which may mean completely reorganizing the way we approach everything. We have two choices and one is really very difficult. The other is really very difficult in a different way. Our body is not comfortable. We're irritating ourselves to death."
Allergic: How Our Immune Systems React to a Changing World, by Theresa MacPhail (Allen Lane, £25), is available fromguardianbookshop.comat £21.25
FAQs
Can cats be allergic to peanuts? ›
Allergies: Like humans, cats can also have peanut allergies. The severity of these allergies can vary, with symptoms ranging from itchy skin and ear infections to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Gastrointestinal Upset: Consuming peanut butter can cause cats to experience diarrhea, gas, vomiting, and stomach pains.
Why am I allergic to peanut butter but not peanut oil? ›Peanut Oil Allergy Symptoms
As we've mentioned, highly refined peanut oil is not considered an allergen by FDA. This is because the peanut proteins are taken out during processing. So, you can be allergic to peanuts but not highly refined peanut oil.
Though allergic reactions have been documented in ancient Greek and Roman history, the modern era of the study of allergies really began in the 1800's when hay fever was described by Dr. John Bostock in 1819.
How much peanut protein can cause an allergic reaction? ›Photo/Colleen Kelley/UC Creative + Brand. The dose calculated to elicit an allergic reaction in 1% of patients with peanut allergies was 0.052 milligrams of peanut protein, about the weight of a single grain of salt, says Haber.
What foods are cats most allergic to? ›The foods typically associated with food allergies in cats include beef, fish, chicken, and dairy. A cat must have been exposed to a food ingredient before developing an allergy to it.
What nut is toxic to cats? ›Nuts. Macadamia nuts are toxic to pets, and like grapes, the exact mechanism of toxicity is unknown. Other types of nuts, including almonds, pecans, and walnuts, are rich in oils and fats that can cause digestive upset and potentially even pancreatitis in cats.
Does Chick-fil-A fry their chicken in peanut oil? ›Does Chick-fil-A use peanut oil? Ever since our founder Truett Cathy created the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Sandwich, we've been cooking our hand-breaded chicken exclusively in fully refined, heat-processed peanut oil.
Can you eat Chick-fil-A if you have a peanut allergy? ›Our allergist agreed that Chick-Fil-A is typically a safe place for those with peanut allergies to eat. The oil is 100% refined peanut oil, meaning that the protein from the peanuts has been removed, thus not posing a risk for those with peanut allergies.
Are 5 Guys fries fried in peanut oil? ›6. Five Guys only uses peanut oil. If you have a nut allergy, you're out of luck. The chain only uses peanut oil for cooking.
What nationality has the most allergies? ›Australia has the dubious crown as the allergy capital in the world, with the UK following as a close second. In Australia, food allergies are seen in 10% of infants, 4-8% of children and around 2% of adults.
Who is allergic to the most things in the world? ›
Johanna Watkins, 30, is allergic to almost everything and everyone, including her husband Scott, 29.
What is the most common allergy ever? ›Pollen allergies are one of the most common allergies in the world. Tens of millions of Americans suffer from Pollen allergies. Pollen is a fine yellow powder that is transported from plant to plant by the wind, birds, insects, and other animals to help fertilize plants.
What is the highest peanut allergy? ›The most severe allergic reaction to peanuts is anaphylaxis — a life-threatening whole-body response to an allergen. Symptoms may include impaired breathing, swelling in the throat, a sudden drop in blood pressure, pale skin or blue lips, fainting and dizziness.
Why are there suddenly so many peanut allergies? ›Peanut preparation (dry roasted vs. boiled or fried), delayed consumption of peanuts in young children, genetic factors, skin adaptations caused by regular bathing that lets peanut proteins penetrate the skin, changing agricultural methods and a weakened immune system may all be to blame.
Can you become immune to peanut allergies? ›For children sensitized to allergens including peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish, the occurrence of clinical tolerance is much lower but not rare (approximately 20% of patients with peanut allergy and 10% of patients with tree nut allergy were found to outgrow their allergy76,77).
What are cats afraid of? ›As a general rule, cats are sensitive when it comes to smells, but there are a few scents they hate that might just surprise you. They can't stand citrus and as much as you might love the smell of fresh herbs, cats hate rosemary and thyme. Banana and mustard are a big no-no too, as well as lavender and eucalyptus.
What meat are cats least allergic to? ›The cause is usually a meat such as beef, chicken, or pork, but can be any type of meat. However, novel proteins like bison, ostrich, and venison are less likely to promote a response from the immune system because they are not common cat food ingredients.
What is the least allergenic meat for cats? ›Venison is the unique animal protein in this dry food for cats with allergies and sensitivities. Natural Balance also offers a similar venison-based formula as canned wet food. As with other novel proteins, venison is a good alternative to meats that your cat may otherwise be reacting to.
Can cats eat egg? ›Eggs are not only a perfectly safe food source for cats – they offer much in the way of nutritional benefits. Aside from being rich in protein, eggs are also a great source of linoleic acid, Vitamin B2 and B12 and water-soluble Vitamin A – all of which are wonderful for your cat's skin and coat.
Can cats eat banana? ›Can cats eat bananas as a nutritious snack? Again, the answer is yes, but in moderation. Because they are calorie-rich, bananas are not at the top of the cat treat list, and your cat may not even want to eat bananas.
Will peanuts hurt a cat? ›
The shortest answer is that, yes, peanuts are safe for cats, although it's not quite that simple. Peanuts are not toxic for a healthy cat and shouldn't necessarily make your cat sick.
What does Chick-fil-A soak their chicken in? ›But don't just take it from me — this is the (not-so-secret) secret that's fueled the love affair so many people have with Chick-fil-A. It's the pickle brine! Well before being fried to perfection, the chicken breasts are brined with pickle juice for super-juicy, tender meat. People go wild for this chicken.
What oil does KFC use? ›Kentucky Fried Chicken will begin using low-linolenic soybean oil in their products in place of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, the chain's parent company, Yum Brands, announced Monday. KFC will make the switch to low-lin oil in its 5,500 U.S. restaurants in order to reduce trans fats in its fried food products.
Does Mcdonalds use peanut oil? ›Once in our kitchens, we cook them in our canola-blend oil so you can have them crispy and hot—just the way you like them. Want to hear more about our fry ingredients?
Does Burger King use peanut oil? ›Our fryer oil contains: corn, canola, soy and/or cottonseed oils.
Is McDonald's safe for peanut allergy? ›Although your meal is prepared with care, we cannot guarantee it will be allergen free, even after ingredients have been removed on request. While there are no nuts or peanut ingredients in the products listed we can't guarantee that our food is completely nut or peanut free.
Is Taco Bell peanut free? ›What Can I Eat At Taco Bell? Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are not used in regular menu items served at Taco Bell restaurants.
What oil does Wendy's use? ›Cooked In Vegetable Oil (Soybean Oil, Vegetable Oil [May Contain One Or More Of The Following: Canola, Corn, Or Cottonseed], Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Dimethylpolysiloxane [Anti-Foaming Agent]). Seasoned With Sea Salt. COOKED IN THE SAME OIL AS MENU ITEMS THAT CONTAIN WHEAT, MILK, AND FISH. Salt: Sea Salt.
Is Wendy's food fried in peanut oil? ›Wendy's uses a blend of vegetable oil for their fries, which includes canola, soybean, and hydrogenated soybean oil.
Who has the rarest allergy? ›The Rarest (And Strangest) Allergies
Water: Medically known as aquagenic urticaria, patients with a water allergy develop painful hives and rashes when their skin is exposed to water. An allergic reaction will develop regardless of the water temperature, and even when the water is purified.
What is the best state to avoid allergies? ›
The five best states for allergy sufferers are all in the Rocky Mountain region of the Western United States — Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona and Colorado. The three best states for pollen allergies have the highest average elevation and relatively dry climates — Wyoming, Utah and Colorado.
Which ethnicity has the least allergies? ›Practice Fusion's Research Division found that Caucasians, who have the highest rate of allergies in our data, are about 3 times more likely to have allergies than Asians, who have the lowest rate.
What is the rarest food allergy? ›The most uncommon food allergens include bananas, beef, carrots, celery, corn, fish, garlic, ham, honey, lamb, lemon, malt, onion, orange, pork, pineapple, rice, salmon, sugar, turkey, and vanilla.
What is almost everyone allergic to? ›The most common are pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, insect stings, latex, and certain food and medications. You may think you know what the problem is -- your friend's cat, certain plants, those dust “bunnies” under your bed. That's a start, and by all means, avoid something that bothers you.
What should I eat if I am allergic to everything? ›- Meat.
- Poultry.
- Legumes excluding peanuts.
- Seeds.
- Grains excluding wheat.
- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
A leading theory behind the rising allergy and asthma diagnosis rates is the "hygiene hypothesis." This theory suggests that living conditions in much of the world might be too clean and that kids aren't being exposed to germs that train their immune systems to tell the difference between harmless and harmful irritants ...
Is it possible to have no allergies? ›In a recent study of 246 patients, researchers found that nearly two out of three patients treated for allergies were not allergic. "Millions of people suffer unnecessarily because they really don't have allergies," said Sheryl Szeinbach, a study co-author and a professor of pharmacy at Ohio State University.
What are 90% of food allergies caused by? ›Any food may cause an allergic reaction, but 90% of food allergies in children are caused by just 6 common foods or food groups—milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and wheat.
What does Level 6 peanut allergy mean? ›6. > or =100. Strongly positive. Allergic reactions to peanuts can range from the mild to severe.
What does Class 6 allergy mean? ›Class 6: Very high level of allergy (≥ 100.0 KUA/L) indicative of very high level sensitization.
Do peanut allergies get worse with age? ›
As you grow older, your digestive system matures, and your body is less likely to react to food that triggers allergies. Past allergy to peanuts. Some children with peanut allergy outgrow it. However, even if you seem to have outgrown peanut allergy, it may recur.
Do peanut allergies ever go away? ›There is no cure for peanut allergies. But children can outgrow peanut allergies. As children get older, an allergist (allergy doctor) may perform another blood or skin test to measure a child's sensitivity to peanuts. If a peanut allergy appears to be decreasing, allergists may recommend an oral food test.
Why are so many people allergic to peanut butter now? ›This is sometimes referred to as the hygiene hypothesis. There is now a consensus among allergy experts that peanut allergies originate from skin contact [4,5,6]. Due to the increase in hygiene, babies may have weaker skin barriers, causing them to overreact to peanut protein [3].
Why are so many people allergic to shrimp? ›The major allergen in shellfish is a muscle protein called tropomyosin and this is what is responsible for causing the allergic reaction.
Which organ does peanut allergy affect? ›When an allergic person eats a peanut, the proteins are absorbed through the intestine and can activate a life-threatening, full-body immune response. This includes constriction of the airways, low blood pressure and/or shock and can lead to loss of consciousness and death.
How do you flush allergens out of your system? ›Dissolve ¼ teaspoon salt in one cup of warm or room temperature water for flushing out allergens and mucus and for adding moisture to the sinuses. Dissolve ½ teaspoon salt in one cup of warm or room temperature water to draw fluid and inflammation out of the nasal membrane. This will help relieve stuffiness.
How do you reverse peanut allergy? ›There is no cure for peanut allergies. Palforzia is a type of oral immunotherapy that is approved for use in treating peanut allergies. It contains precise amounts of peanut protein and is given to children age 4-17 years of age every day to help decrease their sensitivity to small amount of peanuts over time.
What happens if my cat eats peanuts? ›The shortest answer is that, yes, peanuts are safe for cats, although it's not quite that simple. Peanuts are not toxic for a healthy cat and shouldn't necessarily make your cat sick.
How common are peanut allergies in cats? ›Nut allergies are not uncommon in cats even though they are generally considered to be nontoxic to animals. In fact, nut allergy is one of the three most common causes of itching in cats.
Can pets be allergic to peanuts? ›Peanut allergies — While peanut allergies in dogs are extremely rare, they are not impossible. If your dog happens to be allergic to peanuts, you may notice: Itching. Chronic ear infections.
What happens if my cat licks peanut butter? ›
Due to its thick, sticky consistency, peanut butter can be a choking hazard for cats. Peanut butter often contains a sweetener called xylitol that is toxic to cats. Xylitol can cause vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination and signs can progress to seizures and liver failure.
Can I let my cat lick peanut butter? ›Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
What is the most allergic cat? ›High-shedding cat breeds tend to be worse for people with allergies because the allergens get trapped in their coats and spread wherever they lose their fur. Some of these high-shedders include the Persian, Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat, Himalayan, Manx, and Cymric.
Does Fancy Feast cause allergies? ›It may be difficult to know exactly which part of your cat's diet may be causing problems in her immune system, as canned pet foods such as Fancy Feast also contain many artificial flavorings, colors, emulsifiers, and preservatives that can trigger an allergic response.
Why can dogs eat peanut butter but not peanuts? ›Salted peanuts contain more sodium than your dog needs and can be harmful to their health if ingested in large quantities, so it is best to avoid feeding salted peanuts to dogs. This is one reason why some owners prefer to make their own peanut butter.
What pets are most allergenic? ›Most often, pet allergy is triggered by exposure to the dead flakes of skin (dander) a pet sheds. Any animal with fur can be a source of pet allergy, but pet allergies are most commonly associated with cats and dogs.
Can cats have ice cream? ›Most cats are lactose intolerant
This means that consuming lactose—which milk and most kinds of ice cream contain—can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting in cats. Furthermore, with its typical sugar, fat, and dairy content, ice cream can contribute to obesity in cats.
Cheese is not a natural part of a cat's diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only get necessary nutrients from meat. But even though cheese is also high in protein, it can upset a cat's delicate digestive system. The reason for this is that cats don't tolerate dairy very well.
Why can't cats eat butter? ›While butter isn't toxic to pets, it can cause issues including mild vomiting or diarrhea, according to the Pet Poison Helpline (PPH). This is true of all fatty foods, including oils and grease.