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You can also search for foods that are 👍 safe or 👎 unsafe

Read the tips below before sharing any food with cats

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👍 Apples

Apples are a safe treat for cats, but cats should avoid the peel, core, stem, and seeds, because they can be a choking hazard. The seeds also contain small amounts of cyanide, a toxic substance. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of peeled apples, without the core, seeds, or stem.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Artichokes

Artichokes are not toxic for cats, so they can safely eat them. Due to their toughness, cats may have difficulty chewing and digesting artichokes, so they should be cooked thoroughly and cut into small pieces. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked artichokes.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Asparagus

Asparagus is not toxic for cats, so they can safely eat it. Due to its toughness, cats may have difficulty chewing and digesting asparagus. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked asparagus. NOTE: Keep cats away from asparagus plants, called asparagus fern, as they are toxic for cats.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Bananas

Bananas are a safe treat for cats, as long as the peel is removed, as they are hard to digest, can be a choking hazard, or can cause a gastrointestinal blockage. Like many other fruits, bananas contain a fair amount of sugar, so moderation is key. A small piece of banana is the largest serving a cat should consume. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of peeled bananas.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Beets

Beets are non-toxic for cats. Cats can eat fresh beets, but should avoid canned beets due to the presence of added salt and preservatives, which can irritate a cat's digestive system. Cats can eat fresh, plain beets.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are a non-toxic, safe snack for cats. The outer skin of a bell pepper can be tough and difficult to chew, so you can steam or puree the pepper to make it easier for your cat to consume and digest. The seeds and stems can cause indigestion and should be removed. Cats should never eat spicy peppers, such as jalapeño or Chili peppers. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned bell pepper—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Blackberries

Blackberries are not toxic to cats Cats can eat fresh or frozen blackberries.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Blueberries

Blueberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more, and have been shown to improve the health of animals, as well as humans. This fruit is a safe snack for cats, but feed them with caution, as they can be a choking hazard. Cats can eat either fresh or frozen blueberries.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Broccoli

Broccoli is a safe treat for cats, in small amounts. Broccoli florets contain a substance called isothiocyanates, which improves the intestinal muscle's ability to push food and waste through the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some cats, with symptoms ranging from gas to diarrhea. Cats should never be given an entire broccoli stalk, as they can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned broccoli—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a safe treat for cats, in small amounts. Brussels sprouts contain a substance called isothiocyanates, which improves the intestinal muscle's ability to push food and waste through the gastrointestinal tract. This can cause mild-to-potentially-severe gastric irritation in some cats, with symptoms ranging from gas to diarrhea. Brussels sprouts should be served cooked, as raw sprouts can be difficult for cats to digest. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked Brussels sprouts.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Cabbage

Plain, cooked cabbage is perfectly safe for cats to eat in limited portions. Too much cabbage can lead cats to develop gas and, less commonly, a swollen thyroid.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon are not toxic to cats. Melon rinds, however, are tough and fibrous and should not be given to cats. Ingesting rinds or seeds can put cats at risk of experiencing gastrointestinal upset, choking, or even having a gastrointestinal impaction. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of cantaloupe flesh.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Melon, Honeydew Melon

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon are not toxic to cats. Melon rinds, however, are tough and fibrous and should not be given to cats. Ingesting rinds or seeds can put cats at risk of experiencing gastrointestinal upset, choking, or even having a gastrointestinal impaction. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of cantaloupe flesh.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Carrots

Carrots are a safe snack for cats, and can help improve your cat's dental health, in general. Cats shouldn't eat whole carrots, however, as they can be a choking hazard. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned carrots—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Celery

Plain celery is a safe treat for cats. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned celery—cooked or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Chicken Meat, Poultry

Plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked chicken is not toxic to cats, as long as it's cooked. Feeding cats raw chicken puts them at risk of salmonella or bacterial infections. Chicken skin and bones should be avoided, however. Chicken skin is full of fat, which can lead to digestive issues, and chicken bones are very brittle and if ingested, can lead to choking, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter. Cats should never eat chicken that was cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked chicken, but should avoid chicken bones.

👍 Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a safe, hydrating treat for cats, as long as they are cut into bite-size pieces, and fed in moderation. However, cats should not eat pickled cucumbers (AKA pickles), due to their added salt and sugar. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, fresh cucumbers.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Eggs

Cats can eat eggs as long as they are cooked thoroughly. Raw eggs may contain a type of bacteria called salmonella, which can cause food poisoning in both humans and cats.

👍 Green Beans, String Beans

Green beans are a safe treat for cats to eat, as long as they are cut into pieces, as whole green beans can be a choking hazard. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked, raw, or frozen green beans.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Ice Cubes

Ice cubes are not dangerous for cats to eat. It is unlikely that eating ice cubes will cause your cat to choke or suffer a chipped tooth, although there have been cases where veterinarians were suspicious of ice cubes playing a part in cats developing these conditions.

👍 Red Meat, Beef, Steak

Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, boneless, cooked red meat, but should avoid meat bones. Any meat that is high in fat or cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices can be a recipe for digestive upset. Cats should not be given raw meat or meat bones. Not only can they carry bacteria like salmonella or e-coli, meat bones can also be a choking hazard and cause cats digestive upset, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter.

👍 Pears

Pears are a safe snack for cats. Cats should only eat pear slices, not the core, stem, or any other parts containing seeds. Pear seeds contain traces of the toxin cyanide and therefore, are toxic in large quantities. Pear seeds can also be a choking hazard for cats. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain pears, with the seeds removed.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Peas

Green Peas, Snow Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, etc.

Green peas are a safe treat for cats. Cats with kidney problems should avoid peas due to their purines content. Purines are a naturally occurring chemical compound which produce uric acid that's filtered through the kidneys. Too much uric acid can lead to kidney stones and other kidney conditions, and cats with pre-existing kidney problems are more prone to developing complications. Pea pods can be a choking hazard for cats, and therefore cats should only be given shelled peas. Cats can eat plain, unseasoned, fresh, cooked, or frozen snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Pineapples

Pineapple is a safe treat for cats, but should be limited due to its high amount of natural sugar. Pineapple skin and the core should be removed as they can cause obstructions in your cat's mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Canned pineapple and the syrup its canned with should be avoided due to the high content of added sugars. Cats can eat a few bite-size pieces of fresh, frozen, or grilled pineapple, without the skin or core.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Pumpkin

Pumpkins are safe for cats to eat. Cats should not eat pumpkin-pie filling, however, because it usually has sugar and other additives that can be toxic to cats. Cats can eat plain raw, cooked, or canned pumpkin, without any sugar, spices, or other additives.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Raspberries, Black Raspberries

Raspberries are not toxic to cats Cats can eat fresh or frozen raspberries.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Squash

Acorn Squash, Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Yellow Squash, etc.

Squash is not toxic to cats. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned squash—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Strawberries

Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, fresh or frozen strawberries. Strawberries are a safe treat for cats. Cats should not eat canned strawberries or strawberries in syrup.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Caution: Cats should avoid canned versions of foods due to their high sodium and/or sugar content, and opt for the fresh or frozen version instead. Read more.

👍 Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a safe food for cats, but they should be ripe, and should not be served raw. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, cooked, peeled, sweet potatoes.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

👍 Turkey Meat, Poultry

Plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked turkey is not toxic to cats. Turkey skin and bones should be avoided, however. Turkey skin is full of fat, which can lead to digestive issues, and turkey bones are very brittle and if ingested, can lead to choking, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, especially if they splinter. Cats also should never eat holiday turkey or any turkey cooked with butter or oils or seasoned with salt, pepper, herbs, or spices. For cats, this is a recipe for unpleasant digestive upset. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned, skinless, boneless, cooked turkey, but should avoid turkey bones.

👍 Zucchini

Zucchini is not toxic to cats. Cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned zucchini—cooked, frozen, or raw.

Caution: Cats lack the enzymes required for digesting carbohydrates, therefore, their diet should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars. Read more.

Tips

When sharing food with cats, it is important to keep a few things in mind:
  • Ask your veterinarian before feeding your cat anything—especially if they take medication or have any medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, allergies, etc.). Some medication can interact with foods, so don't take any chances!
  • Any foods cats are eating for the first time should be introduced in small quantities. Monitor them after they eat it, and if they experience any negative symptoms, don't feed it to them again.
  • Any foods outside of your cat's normal diet should make up less than 10% of their daily food intake. For example, if your cat eats 1 cup of food per day, they shouldn't eat more than ⅒ cup of treats (e.g. a few blueberries). Any foods fed to cats in large amounts can lead to digestive upset, so moderation is truly key.
  • Any foods shared with cats should be cut into bite-size pieces, with all choking hazards removed (e.g. pits, peels, seeds). These choking hazards can even become obstructed in your cats gastrointestinal tract. Never share these things with cats, even if they are perfectly normal for humans to eat.
  • Cats shouldn't eat foods with added salt, oils, sugar, seasonings, sauces, or any other variations. These additions, while delicious, often contain ingredients that are harmful, if not toxic to cats, such as garlic, onions, or even xylitol. Cats should not eat foods that were prepared with these ingredients, either.
  • Cats should only eat foods that are high in fat in moderation, even if they are generally considered healthy for us. For dogs, eating large amounts of fat can cause gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas which can range from mild to severe, and can require emergency veterinary treatment. For cats, however, the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Out of an abundance of caution, cats should only eat limited amounts of fatty foods.
  • Cats shouldn't eat processed foods such as baked foods, boxed snacks, fast food, etc. Aside from being unhealthy and high in fat, they often conceal ingredients that may be troublesome or even toxic for cats, such as a sweetener called xylitol. Be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients of any processed foods you share with your cat, and if you can't determine the safety level of each ingredient, do not share it with your cat.
  • Cats shouldn't eat canned versions of foods (e.g. fruits, vegetables, etc.), due to their added preservatives including excess salt and sugar, which can be harmful to cats (and humans!). Choose fresh or even frozen versions instead.
  • Cats lack the enzymes required to digest carbohydrates. Unlike humans and dogs, cats are carnivorous, and do not digest sugars the same way we do. Over time, feeding cats carbohydrates and sugary foods will cause digestive issues, and can also lead to obesity and diabetes, and therefore, their diets should not exceed 2% of carbohydrates or sugars.