Can cats eat…?
Type a food and see the answer straight away: whether you can give it to your cat, how carefully, and what to do if your cat ate something it should not have.
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Dangerous for cats
If your cat ate any of these, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well.
What the answer means
- Safe
- Fine as an occasional treat, prepared as described. 6 foods
- In moderation
- Not toxic, but it has a downside: only a small piece, and not often. 15 foods
- Not safe
- Do not give it: the risk outweighs any benefit, or it does harm over time. 8 foods
- Dangerous
- Toxic or an emergency: if it was eaten, contact a vet straight away. 6 foods
Fruit and berries
- Apples Yes, in moderation: a small piece of peeled apple without seeds or core will not harm a cat, but cats are carnivores and do not need apples. In moderation
- Avocado No: avocado is very fatty and contains persin, which can upset a cat's digestion, and the stone can block the gut. Not safe
- Bananas Yes, in moderation: a small piece of peeled banana will not harm a cat, but cats are carnivores and cannot taste sweetness, so they do not need it. In moderation
- Blueberries Yes, in moderation: an occasional fresh blueberry will not harm a cat, but cats are carnivores and have no need for berries. In moderation
- Grapes No, grapes and raisins are dangerous for cats: if your cat ate some, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
- Oranges No: orange peel and flesh contain essential oils and acids that can upset a cat's stomach, and cats dislike the smell of citrus. Not safe
- Watermelon Yes, in moderation: a small piece of seedless watermelon flesh without rind is fine, but a cat does not need it, and too much can upset digestion. In moderation
Vegetables and mushrooms
- Carrots Yes, plain cooked carrot is harmless to cats, but cats have no need for vegetables, so give it only as a small treat. Safe
- Cucumbers Yes, a small piece of fresh cucumber is harmless to cats, but pickled cucumbers are not suitable for them. Safe
- Garlic No, garlic is dangerous for cats, even as powder or in food: if your cat ate some, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
- Onions No, onions are dangerous for cats in any form: if your cat ate some, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
- Potatoes Yes, in moderation: a little plain cooked potato is harmless, but raw or green potatoes and their sprouts are harmful to cats. In moderation
- Pumpkin Yes, plain cooked pumpkin without sugar or spices is harmless to cats and fine as a small treat. Safe
Meat and fish
- Beef Yes, well-cooked lean beef without seasoning is a good treat for a cat; just trim off the fat and take out any bones. Safe
- Bones No: cooked bones splinter into sharp shards, and even raw bones can lodge in the throat or gut, so it is best not to give a cat bones. Not safe
- Chicken Yes, plain cooked chicken without bones, skin or seasoning is one of the best treats you can give a cat. Safe
- Fish Yes, in moderation: plain cooked fish with the bones removed makes a good treat, but it should not replace a complete cat food. In moderation
- Liver Yes, in moderation: a small piece of cooked liver now and then is fine, but liver is very rich in vitamin A, and too much harms cats. In moderation
- Pork Yes, in moderation: a small piece of well-cooked lean pork without seasoning is fine, but fatty, raw or processed pork is not for cats. In moderation
- Raw fish No: raw fish can carry bacteria and parasites, and some fish destroy thiamine, a vitamin cats need, so offer cooked fish instead. Not safe
- Raw meat No: raw meat from the kitchen can carry bacteria and parasites that put both the cat and its people at risk, so cook the meat first. Not safe
- Salmon Yes, in moderation: plain cooked salmon with the bones removed makes a good treat, but smoked, salted or raw salmon is not for cats. In moderation
- Sausages No: sausages are full of salt, fat and spices, sometimes with garlic or onion too, so they are not something to give a cat. Not safe
- Tuna Yes, in moderation: a little cooked tuna or tuna in spring water makes a good treat, but a cat's food should never be tuna alone. In moderation
Dairy and eggs
- Cheese Yes, in moderation: a small piece of hard cheese does a cat no harm, but cheese contains lactose, salt and fat, so only now and then. In moderation
- Cottage cheese Yes, in moderation: a little plain cottage cheese does a cat no harm, but it contains lactose, which can cause diarrhoea. In moderation
- Eggs Yes, a well-cooked egg, boiled or cooked without fat, is fine for a cat, but it is better not to give a raw egg. Safe
- Milk No: adult cats digest milk sugar, lactose, poorly, so milk can cause diarrhoea, and what a cat needs to drink is water. Not safe
- Yoghurt Yes, in moderation: a little plain yoghurt with no sugar or sweeteners does a cat no harm, but it contains lactose, so only now and then. In moderation
Grains, bread and nuts
- Bread Yes, in moderation: a small piece of baked bread does a cat no harm, but it adds nothing useful, and raw yeast dough is dangerous to cats. In moderation
- Rice Yes, in moderation: a little plain cooked rice does a cat no harm, but a cat is a carnivore, so rice gives it very little. In moderation
Sweets and snacks
Drinks
- Alcohol No, alcohol is dangerous to cats even in a small amount: if your cat drank or licked some, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
- Coffee No, coffee is dangerous to cats because of caffeine: if your cat drank some or ate coffee beans, contact a vet straight away, even if it seems well. Dangerous
Other
More about health
This is general information, not a consultation with a vet. Every animal is different: if your pet is unwell or you are unsure, ask your vet.