Everyone likes a little treat every now and then - and especially now that Christmas is coming. But although it's tempting to give your cat scraps from the table, many popular yuletide treats can actually be dangerous for her health. Whilst just one leftover slice of turkey may not seem excessive, for a cat this could actually be equivalent to a human eating seven slices!

Treat or not to treat?

Some cats are very good at begging for food and acting like they've not been fed for days! But all they often want is just your attention, not a portion of your festive dish. So try to groom and play with her instead of sharing your meal. Feeding your cat table scraps not only encourages bad habits - and having your cat on the table, especially when you've got visitors can be very off-putting, but feeding human foods in general can have an adverse effect on your cat's health. So don't be afraid to ask well-meaning guests not to feed from the table or to give your cat the wrong kind of treats.

Some table scraps are even toxic to cats

Allowing your cat eat too much rich food or some human treats can upset her digestive system. For example, onions, garlic and certain root vegetables contain substances that can be toxic for cats and may cause a form of anaemia. And remember, it's not just the raw form of these vegetables you should avoid feeding your cat, because the gravy or sauces that cover a meal may also contain these ingredients.

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine that is poisonous for cats. It is in the same class of drugs as caffeine and can have an effect on the nervous system, blood pressure and digestion. In addition, grapes and raisins have been found to be toxic to pets, so again should be avoided.