What Foods Can Cats Eat and What Should They Avoid?

Reviewed by Jessica Gilliam, DVM

Before giving your cat a nibble of your dinner, it’s important to know what foods are safe for them to eat. As obligate carnivores who need meat to survive, cats can eat small amounts of unseasoned proteins like chicken and salmon.

Foods like chocolate, onions, garlic, and grapes, on the other hand, are toxic for them.

In this guide, we’ll explain which human foods cats can eat and which are dangerous. Keep in mind that this is generalized guidance. Consult a veterinarian before giving your cat human food, especially if they’re on a prescription diet. If you get the OK, only give it in small amounts as a treat.

Key Takeaways

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat to survive. They can safely consume small amounts of plain, unseasoned lean meats like chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as certain fish like cooked salmon. They can also eat cooked eggs.
Additionally, it’s generally safe to feed your cat grains like white rice and oatmeal on occasion, as well as low-lactose dairy like plain yogurt and certain cheeses.
Vegetables that are safe in small amounts include peas, green beans, cucumbers, cooked pumpkin, and carrots. Generally safe fruits include blueberries, seedless watermelon, bananas, and cantaloupe.
Some human foods are toxic or even fatal for cats, including raw meat, fish, and eggs, cooked bones, and fat trimmings. Also, chocolate, coffee, onions, garlic, citrus, grapes, raisins, raw potatoes, and products containing xylitol are dangerous for cats.
Excessive salt and foods or drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol (including raw yeast dough) are toxic and must be avoided.
Consult your veterinarian before feeding your cat human foods, and if they say a food is safe, only feed it in small amounts every once in a while.
If your cat consumes toxic food or is showing symptoms like vomiting or lethargy, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Safe vs. Unsafe Human Foods for Cats

Category	Safe Foods	Unsafe Foods
Proteins	Cooked chicken, turkey, lean beef, cooked salmon, cooked eggs	Raw meat, raw fish, raw eggs, cooked bones, fat trimmings
Fruits	Blueberries, seedless watermelon, cantaloupe, bananas	Grapes, raisins, citrus fruits
Vegetables	Cooked carrots, steamed green beans, plain pumpkin, peas, cucumbers	Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, shallots, raw potatoes
Grains	Plain white rice, plain oatmeal	Raw yeast dough
Dairy	Small amounts plain yogurt, small amounts hard cheese	Large amounts of milk, ice cream, sweetened dairy
Other	Plain cooked foods without seasonings	Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, xylitol, excessive salt

Human Foods Cats Can Eat

Certain lean meats are generally considered safe for most cats to eat in small amounts, as are some grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-lactose dairy. Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.

Proteins Cats Can Eat

Chicken

Cooked, plain chicken is generally safe for your kitty to eat. And, as a complete protein packed with essential amino acids and B vitamins for energy metabolism, it’s nutritious as well.

Turkey

Like chicken, turkey is a lean protein your cat can enjoy. It even supports your kitty’s muscle maintenance. However, consider it a yummy high-protein snack and not a replacement for your cat’s regular diet.

Lean Beef

Plain lean beef, which provides iron, zinc, and B vitamins, is safe for most cats if you cook it thoroughly and trim the visible fat.

Cooked Salmon

Rich with omega-3 fatty acids, cooked salmon is another protein your cat can consume. Although not nutritionally complete on its own, it does support cats’ skin and coat health. However, salmon and other fish should only be offered occasionally as a treat and should not make up your cat’s regular diet.

Cooked Eggs

Cooked eggs are generally considered safe for most cats and are packed with vitamins A, D, and B12, as well as essential amino acids. Scramble or boil them, and avoid adding any extra seasonings.

Fruits Cats Can Eat

Blueberries

Blueberries are a nutritious, low-calorie, and safe choice for your cat, as they’re rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C. Limit them to two or three blueberries as a treat.

Seedless Watermelon

Seedless watermelons are also safe and hydrating for cats. They provide vitamins A, B6, and C. However, only feed watermelon sparingly, as it can cause potential digestive issues.

Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is safe for most cats in moderation and is high in antioxidants and beta-carotene for eye health. However, if your cat has any underlying health issues, such as diabetes or stomach problems, avoid feeding them this fruit.

Bananas

Bananas are OK for cats to occasionally enjoy. They’re dense in natural sugars and high in potassium and fiber.

Vegetables Cats Can Eat

Cooked Carrots

Cats can eat cooked carrots in moderation, which provide beta-carotene and fiber. Be sure to cut them into small, bite-sized pieces. That said, avoid feeding your cat raw carrots, as they are hard and can pose a choking hazard.

Green beans

Green beans are a low-calorie source of fiber that can help with weight management. They’re generally considered safe for cats in small amounts.

Plain Cooked Pumpkin

Your kitty is welcome to enjoy plain cooked pumpkin, which is rich in soluble fiber. Served in small amounts, mashed or roasted, pumpkin can help with digestion and hairball control.

Peas

If your cat is eyeing the peas on your plate, you’re free to give in if they’re free of seasoning. This fiber-rich vegetable is safe and nutritious for cats, and packed with A, K, and B vitamins.

Cucumbers

With 96% water content, cucumbers are a good source of hydration for cats and are low in calories. Peel them before serving, and only feed your cat small, thin slices.

Grains Cats Can Eat

White Rice

White rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate that’s safe for most cats. And because it’s binding, rice may even help with mild diarrhea.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another grain cats can eat. It’s gluten-free and contains fiber, iron, and B vitamins.

Dairy Cats Can Eat

Plain Yogurt (Small Amounts)

Although most cats are lactose-intolerant, they can eat small amounts of low-lactose plain yogurt, which contains beneficial probiotics.

Cheese (Small Amounts)

Cats can also eat small amounts of low-lactose hard cheeses. Good options include aged cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan.

Human Foods Cats Should Not Eat

Although some human foods are safe for kitties to eat, other foods are toxic and can cause serious health issues or may even be fatal. Let’s take a look at what your kitty should not eat.

Unsafe Proteins and Animal Products

Raw Meat and Fish

Your kitty should avoid raw meat and fish altogether. These not only contain thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B1, but they may also contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli.

Raw Eggs

Raw eggs can carry Salmonella or E. coli. They also contain avidin, which interferes with biotin absorption.

Bones

Your cat should avoid both cooked and uncooked bones because they can become brittle and might splinter, causing a choking or puncture hazard.

Fat Trimmings

Avoid the impulse to give your kitty fat trimmings from the meat on your plate, as it can cause digestive problems or vomiting. Remove all visible fat before serving your cat meat of any kind.

Toxic Fruits and Sweeteners

Grapes and Raisins

Grapes and raisins both contain tartaric acid and are toxic to cats. Even small amounts are dangerous, potentially causing kidney failure.

Xylitol

Artificial sweetener Xylitol is toxic for cats because it triggers a rapid insulin release, which can lead to liver failure or hypoglycemia.

Citrus

Avoid feeding your cat citrus foods, including oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit. Citrus contains citric acid, which can cause digestive upset or nervous system depression in cats.

Toxic Vegetables and Seasonings

Onions

Onions are toxic for cats in all forms and can cause hemolytic anemia, which damages red blood cells.

Garlic

Garlic may be a staple in human food, but for cats, it’s a definite no. At five times the toxicity of onions, even very small amounts of garlic can cause hemolytic anemia and possibly organ failure.

Leeks, Chives, and Shallots

Other foods in the allium family that are toxic for cats include leeks, chives, and shallots. Allium plants contain organosulphoxides, which can damage a cat’s red blood cells, even in tiny amounts.

Raw Potatoes

Raw potatoes, especially green and sprouted ones, are dangerous for cats because they contain solanine, a toxic compound. Consuming them can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and neurological issues.

Chocolate, Caffeine, and Alcohol

Chocolate

Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate, is dangerous for cats (and dogs, for that matter). It can cause vomiting, seizures, and heart issues.

Coffee and Caffeine

Stimulants, like coffee or caffeine, should be kept away from cats, as they cause hyperactivity and an increased heart rate.

Alcohol

Alcohol can be fatal for cats. Ingesting it may result in disorientation, breathing problems, and loss of consciousness.

Other Toxic Foods

Raw Yeast Dough

Raw yeast dough should be avoided for cats because it contains alcohol (due to fermentation) and can expand in your cat’s stomach, leading to painful bloating or even a gastric rupture.

Salt

Although a small amount of salt is necessary in a cat’s diet, excessive salt can cause sodium ion poisoning in cats. Salt toxicity symptoms include vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhea, or tremors.

When to Call Your Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian if your cat is vomiting, drooling, urinating less, extra thirsty, weak, or has diarrhea, lethargy, or difficulty breathing after eating a new food.

If your cat has ingested a toxic food from the list above, make an emergency visit to your local animal hospital.

Choose Complete Nutrition for Your Cat

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Contributor

Jessica Gilliam is a veterinarian with more than 14 years of clinical experience, specializing in small animal medicine. She is passionate about surgery, dentistry, mentorship, and education. Jessica serves as the Community Chair for the Tennessee Market at Banfield and oversees Mars Petcare’s PetConnect chat, which offers free educational support for pet parents. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and baking.