Human Foods Cats Can and Cannot Eat Safely
Safe Human Foods for Cats
While cat food should make up 90%+ of your cat's diet, some human foods are safe as occasional treats (no more than 10% of daily calories).
Safe Options
- Cooked chicken or turkey: Plain, unseasoned, boneless
- Cooked fish: Salmon or tuna in small amounts (not as a staple)
- Eggs: Fully cooked, no raw eggs
- Pumpkin: Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) for digestion
- Blueberries: A few as an occasional treat
- Plain yogurt: Small amounts if your cat tolerates dairy
Dangerous Foods — Never Feed These
- Onions, garlic, chives: Destroy red blood cells, can be fatal
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine, toxic to cats
- Grapes and raisins: Can cause kidney failure
- Xylitol: Artificial sweetener found in gum and baked goods — extremely toxic
- Raw dough: Expands in the stomach, produces alcohol
- Caffeine: Coffee, tea, energy drinks can cause heart arrhythmias
- Alcohol: Even small amounts are dangerous
- Milk: Most adult cats are lactose intolerant
Treating Safely
Introduce new foods one at a time in tiny amounts. Watch for allergic reactions (vomiting, diarrhea, itching). If in doubt, don't feed it — stick to cat-specific treats.
