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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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👎 Açaí

Açaí contains theobromine, the primary cause of chocolate poisoning in cats. Cats should avoid açaí berries and any foods containing açaí.

👎 Alcohol

Beer, Champagne, Gin, Liquor, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, Wine, etc.

All types of alcohol are toxic to cats—including beer, champagne, gin, liquor, rum, vodka, whiskey, and wine. Cats should not consume any amount of any type of alcohol.

👎 Cherries

Cherry pits, stems, and leaves contain cyanide, which is poisonous and potentially lethal if consumed in high enough quantities. Cherry pits are also be a choking hazard and can get lodged in a cat's digestive tract and cause intestinal blockages. Cats should not eat maraschino cherries, either, due to their high sugar content.

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.

👎 Chocolate, Cocoa

Chocolate is toxic to cats. It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which can speed the heart rate and stimulate the nervous system of cats. Cats should not eat any amount of any type of chocolate.

Caution: Foods that are high in fat should only be fed in moderation, as the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Read more.

👎 Coffee, Tea

Coffee and tea can contain caffeine and other substances that are toxic to cats. Caffeine stimulates cats' nervous systems, and even a small amount can lead to a number of symptoms, including seizures, tremors, lung failure, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death. Cats should not ingest coffee or tea in any form.

👎 Figs

A fig tree's white, milky sap, present especially in the leaves and all parts of the fruit, contains an enzyme called ficin. The ficin in fresh fig sap can spur allergic skin reactions in humans, but is also known to cause similar rashes, irritation, and itching when consumed by cats. It's best to avoid giving containing fig to cats.

👎 Fried Foods

Chicken Fingers, Chicken Nuggets, Chips, Clam Cakes, Corn Dogs, Crab Rangoons, Donuts, Egg Rolls, Falafel, Fish and Chips, French Fries, Hash Browns, Home Fries, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Rings, Potato Chips, Spring Rolls, Tater Tots, Tortilla Chips, etc.

While a french fry, potato chip, chicken finger or two may seem like a harmless treat to share with your cat, even a small morsel of highly-processed fatty food can create a nightmare of digestive upset that spirals into more serious problems. Cats should not eat fried foods of any kind.

Caution: Processed foods are unhealthy for cats and can even conceal toxic ingredients. Read more.

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

Caution: Foods that are high in fat should only be fed in moderation, as the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Read more.

👎 Garlic

Garlic and other members of the allium family, including onions, contain thiosulfate, which is toxic to cats. Eating these foods can damage a cat's red blood cells and lead to anemia and other serious complications. Cats should not eat garlic, or anything containing any amount garlic.

👎 Gatorade

Gatorade has high amounts of sugar and salt, and therefore isn't safe for cats. Cats should always drink water instead of drinks like Gatorade. Dehydrated cats should be taken to the veterinarian for proper fluid treatment.

👎 Grapes, Raisins

Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to cats, and ingestion can even be fatal. Cats should not eat any amount of any type of grape or raisin.

👎 Hot Dogs

Cats should not eat hot dogs. Many hot dog ingredients can be toxic to cats, such as sodium nitrate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), sugars or artificial sweeteners, seasonings, and high amounts of salt. They're also a choking hazard for cats that might try to swallow them without chewing them. Cats should not eat any amount of hot dogs, cooked or uncooked.

Caution: Processed foods are unhealthy for cats and can even conceal toxic ingredients. Read more.

👎 Hot Peppers

Chili Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Serrano Peppers, etc.

Cats should never eat spicy peppers, such as jalapeño peppers. However, cats can eat bite-size pieces of plain, unseasoned bell peppers, cooked, frozen, or raw.

👎 Kale

Kale is not safe for cats to eat. It can cause life-threatening anemia.

👎 Citrus Fruits

Lemons, Limes, Oranges, Clementines, Grapefruit, Kumquats, Persimmons, Tangerines, etc.

Citrus fruits, including the seeds and peel, and citrus plants including the stems and leaves all contain citric acid, which can cause digestive upset and other more serious issues. Cats should not eat citrus fruits or ingest citrus oils of any kind.

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

👎 Marshmallows

Marshmallows are not safe for cats due to their highly processed nature and high sugar content. Lastly, marshmallows, especially mini marshmallows, can be a choking hazard. Cats should not eat any amount of marshmallows or foods containing marshmallow.

Caution: Processed foods are unhealthy for cats and can even conceal toxic ingredients. Read more.

👎 Bones

Beef Bones, Chicken Bones, Ham Bones, Lamb Bones, Meat Bones, Pork Bones, Pork Chop Bones, Steak Bones, Turkey Bones, etc.

Cats should never be given bones. Not only can meat bones carry bacteria like salmonella or e-coli, they are also likely to splinter and crack when your cat chews on them—regardless of whether they are cooked or uncooked. They can become a choking hazard and cause also cats digestive upset, fractured teeth, or gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation. Though giving cats the most natural option always seems like the best choice, in the case of meat bones, it's best to opt for a high-quality dental bone as an alternative. Cats should never eat any type of meat bone—cooked or uncooked.

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.

👎 Mushrooms

Champignon Mushrooms, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Cremini Mushrooms, Maitake Mushrooms, Morel Mushrooms, Oyster Mushrooms, Porcini Mushrooms, Portabella Mushrooms, Shiitake Mushrooms, etc.

Cats should not eat mushrooms, especially wild mushrooms, as wild mushrooms can be toxic to cats, even if they are not toxic to humans. Although only around 50-100 of the 10,000 species of mushrooms recognized worldwide are known to be toxic, the mushrooms that are toxic are very toxic, and are often difficult to distinguish from the non-toxic varieties. Veterinarians recommend treating all wild mushrooms as potentially toxic and a veterinary emergency. Store-bought mushrooms are likely safe for cats to consume, but out of an abundance of caution, it's better to keep cats away from mushrooms. Cats shouldn't eat any amount of any type of mushroom.

👎 Nuts

Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashews, Chestnuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Walnuts, etc.

Nuts are not a safe snack for cats, due to their high fat content and ability to become a choking hazard, and some nuts are even toxic. Macadamia nuts are very toxic to cats. Cats should not eat any amount of macadamia nuts. Peanuts, while not technically considered nuts, are safe for cats in very small quantities, as long as they are plain, unsalted, and unseasoned. Cats should avoid eating nuts, especially macadamia nuts, which are toxic to cats.

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

Caution: Foods that are high in fat should only be fed in moderation, as the link between too much fat and pancreas problems in cats is still being studied. Read more.

👎 Onions

Chives, Cipollini Onions, Green Onions, Leeks, Pearl Onions, Red Onions, Scallions, Shallots, Sweet Onions, Vidalia Onions, White Onions, Yellow Onions, etc.

Onions, scallions, shallots, or other closely related foods—whether powdered, dried, fresh, cooked, or as an ingredient in a processed food—should never be given to cats, as they can cause them to develop a condition called hemolytic anemia. This condition impacts/destroys a cat's red blood cells, leaving them without enough of them for healthy functioning. Severe onion poisoning in cats can be fatal. All parts of these foods—including their juice, flesh, or leaves—can cause issues for cats. Cats should not eat any amount of any type of onion or related food.

👎 Pickles

Cats should not eat pickles due to their added salt and sugar, and potential added spices. While a bite of pickle probably won't hurt your cat, stick with plain cucumbers as a regular treat and avoid feeding pickles of any variety to cats.

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.