Alfalfa Sprouts

Raw alfalfa sprouts carry a high load of Salmonella and E. coli and cause the same diarrhoea in cats; cats have no need for sprouts, so a thoroughly cooked portion is at most a novel treat.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy, hiding and fever.

**Contact a vet immediately** if vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy appears; do not induce vomiting at home or give human medicine.

At most a rare, tiny, **thoroughly cooked** portion; the bacterial risk of raw sprouts applies to cats as well, so never use them for detox purposes or feed salads containing them, and keep complete cat food as the main diet.

Raw alfalfa sprouts, like all raw sprouts, are a high-risk food for Salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens, because the warm damp sprouting process suits bacterial growth, a risk for people too; a small thoroughly cooked portion is a different matter.

Vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, poor appetite, lethargy and fever; puppies, older dogs and those with weaker immunity may be affected more severely.

**Contact a vet immediately** if vomiting, diarrhoea or lethargy follows raw sprouts; do not induce vomiting at home or give human medicine.

Only ever an occasional vegetable treat, **thoroughly cooked** and kept small; do not use raw sprouts for any detox or health purpose, never feed sandwiches, salads or wraps containing raw sprouts, and wash your hands before and after handling them.