By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Party pies are a fixture at Australian birthdays, footy finals and work morning teas, which means there are often a few left on a plate within reach of an interested cat. If your cat has taken a bite, the part to think about is the filling. Four'N Twenty's own ingredient list includes onion and dehydrated onion, and onion is one of the foods vets most want cats to avoid.
Key takeaways
- The Four'N Twenty 12 Party Pies product page lists onion and dehydrated onion in the ingredients.
- Merck Veterinary Manual describes cats as the species most susceptible to onion and garlic poisoning, and notes that concentrated forms, such as onion powder, carry extra risk.
- Each 50 gram pie contains 270 milligrams of sodium and 6.1 grams of fat, according to the label.
- Meat makes up 11 percent of the pie, listed as beef and/or mutton. The rest is mostly water, flour, margarine and other ingredients.
- A crumb of crust is unlikely to cause harm. A mouthful of filling, or a whole pie, warrants a call to your vet.
- Phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 for poisoning advice.
What is in a Four'N Twenty party pie?
According to the Four'N Twenty product page, the ingredients include water, wheat flour, meat (11 percent, beef and/or mutton), margarine, thickeners, seasoning, carrots, textured soy protein, onion, pastry mix, salt, colours and dehydrated onion. Per 100 grams the pies contain 12.3 grams of fat and 542 milligrams of sodium. These are made for people, and they are not designed with a cat's small body size in mind.
Why the filling is the main concern
Onion
Onion damages red blood cells in cats, which can lead to a type of anaemia. Merck notes that cats are the most susceptible species and that signs may not appear for several days after eating. Dehydrated onion is a dried, concentrated form. Because the label does not say how much onion each pie contains, it is safest to treat any filling eaten as a possible onion exposure. See onions and cats.
Salt
Party pies are seasoned and salted. A bite will not give a cat salt poisoning, but salty food is on the RSPCA's list of foods to avoid. Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhoea, stumbling, tremors and seizures as signs of salt overdose.
Fat and pastry
Pastry and margarine make party pies rich. Fatty food can upset the stomach and cause vomiting or diarrhoea. The RSPCA lists fatty foods among foods cats should not have.
Heat and sauce
A freshly heated pie can burn the mouth. Tomato sauce is also often added, and the RSPCA lists tomatoes among foods to avoid.
Signs to watch for
Within hours of eating a pie, you may see:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- drooling or reduced appetite
Over the next several days, onion poisoning can cause:
- lethargy or weakness
- pale or yellowish gums
- fast breathing
- reddish brown urine
- reduced appetite
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- ate the filling of one or more party pies, even if it seems fine
- has pale gums, weakness or fast breathing at any point over the next few days
- vomits repeatedly or cannot keep water down
- seems wobbly, has tremors or collapses
For poisoning advice, phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. Salt and hydrogen peroxide can cause serious harm. See what to do if your cat shows signs of poisoning.
How vets assess a cat that ate a party pie
Your vet will ask how much was eaten, when, and whether sauce was involved. Keep the packet if you can. If the pie was eaten recently, your vet may decide to make your cat vomit safely in the clinic. Blood tests may be repeated over the following days to check red blood cells. Cats that develop anaemia may need hospital care. Treatment is decided by the examining vet.
Safer party food for cats
- A small piece of plain cooked chicken or fish, set aside before seasoning.
- A favourite commercial cat treat, kept within 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
- A quiet room away from guests, with water, a bed and a litter tray.
Ask guests not to share food with your cat, and clear plates promptly.
FAQ
Are Four'N Twenty party pies toxic to cats?
The filling contains onion and dehydrated onion, which are toxic to cats. Keep pies away from your cat.
My cat licked the pastry. Is that dangerous?
A lick of plain crust is unlikely to cause harm. Watch for stomach upset.
What about sausage rolls or meat pies from other brands?
Many contain onion, garlic, salt and fat. Check the label and assume they are unsafe.
How long after eating onion do signs appear?
Merck notes signs of red blood cell damage can take several days to appear, so keep watching even if your cat seems fine.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got into the party food and you are not sure what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide on the next step. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Four'N Twenty. 12 Party Pies.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.