What can cats eat? A guide to feline nutrition

Updated 27/09/2024

Welcoming a pet sitter for your new feline family member, or going house sitting and want to get clued-up on foods cats can eat? Great move, fellow feline fanatic. 

So, what can cats eat, exactly? And what do cats like to eat? Well as you might know, cats are obligate carnivores and can get all the nutrients they need from cat food - dry or wet.

But with those “feed me” eyes and all too cute purring noises, it can be tempting to share a morsel or two with our feline friends. 

But which table-side titbits are safe for them? What can cats eat that we humans can, and what should be avoided or kept completely out of paw’s reach? Take a look below as we explore over 60 foods and their safety for the feline in your life.

What human food can cats eat?

What fruits can cats eat?

Can cats have strawberries?

Yes, cats can eat strawberries, but they don’t offer any health benefits to our furry friends like they do for us humans. As cats are obligate carnivores, the main benefit they’ll get from eating strawberries is enjoying the taste, plus a little extra fiber in the diet.

Can cats eat bananas?

Yes, cats can eat bananas, a rich source of potassium, but just because the fruit is safe for cats, it doesn’t mean they should be eating a lot of them. Just a small portion in moderation is recommended, according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Not all cats will enjoy the taste of bananas, but you can use them as an ingredient if baking homemade cat treats for example. 

Can cats eat coconut? 

Coconut is safe for cats if it's shared in small pieces and sparingly when it's fresh. Larger pieces of coconut pose a choking hazard and should be avoided. Coconut oil is very fatty and can cause upset tummies, weight gain, and pancreatitis. Coconut oil should therefore be avoided completely in cats.

Can cats eat pears? 

Yes, cats can eat pears. Just be sure to remove the seeds, peel and stem (they can contain small amounts of cyanide) and you’re good to go. They're high in vitamins, fiber and antioxidants, which are good for your cat, but also high in sugar, so it’s best to stick to small amounts. Remember to avoid feeding cubes, opt for a puree to top onto meals or offer thin slices, as the fruit can be a choking hazard in cube form.

Can cats eat melon? 

Yes, cats can eat melon - they’re high in vitamin C and A. Always serve in moderation and remove the seeds and rind before serving up in thin slices.

Can cats eat berries? 

Lots of berries are safe for cats to try, including strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. They’re rich in fiber and contain antioxidants and vitamins A, C, K and E. When serving, remember they’re high in sugar so should be fed in small portions as a rare treat, and always cut into bite size pieces to reduce the choking hazard.

What vegetables can cats eat?

Can cats eat broccoli?

Broccoli is one of the vegetables cats can eat - cook it all the way through and chop it up before serving (without any seasonings or fats).

Can cats eat lettuce?

Yes, cats can eat lettuce, but while it’s high in vitamin A and low in calories, it’s not a snack your cat should be having all the time. Our feline friends are obligate carnivores, so they don’t need vegetables to stay healthy like we humans do.

Can cats eat pumpkin?

Yes, cats can eat pumpkin in small amounts - it’s rich in vitamins A, E and C, along with minerals such as iron and magnesium. Only serve freshly cooked, plain pumpkin and stay away from processed or canned - it often contains other ingredients that can be harmful to cats.

Can cats eat celery?

Cats can eat celery (but there’s no guarantee your kitty will stomach the bitter taste). Serve in small chunks, and your cat could benefit from the vitamins A, C and calcium and iron. Too much celery can cause tummy upset, so it's not a treat to feed often.

Can cats eat green beans?

Cooked and cut into small pieces, green beans are safe for cats in moderation. And while they’re rich in fiber, vitamins A, C and K, folate (and more!) they’re not as essential in your cat’s diet, but can add a bit of variety as a meal topper.

Can cats eat mushrooms?

Cats can eat mushrooms if they’re store-bought and boiled without seasoning, but your kitty should never be chomping on wild mushrooms - they could be toxic or even deadly to cats. If you suspect your cat has eaten wild mushrooms, contact a veterinarian for advice immediately. 

What can cats eat from the fridge?

• Broccoli 
• Berries
• Cooked eggs
• Rice
• Cooked meat or fish
• Yogurt (with caution and in moderation)
• Cheese (again, with caution and in moderation)
• Oatmeal

What human foods can cats eat?

​​Can cats eat eggs?

Yes, cats can eat eggs as long as they’re fully cooked and served without any other ingredients. Eggs are rich in amino acids, which means they’re beneficial for cats. Just never serve raw eggs to your cat - they sometimes contain bacteria that can cause salmonella poisoning.

Can cats eat cheese? 

It's often thought that some cats can eat cheese - however, feeding dairy products such as cheese and milk is not to be recommended. Most cats are lactose intolerant, so feeding dairy can cause tummy upsets and loose stools. 

Can cats eat bread?

There’s no harm done if your kitty sneaks a tiny morsel of fresh bread, but don’t make a habit of feeding your cat bread - it’s high in carbohydrates which equals rapid weight gain for felines.

Bread can swell in the stomach quickly doubling or tripling in size, and can cause bloat, or blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, so make sure you are sharing tiny portions of bread with your cat on occasion only. 

Can cats eat rice?

Yes, cats can eat rice, but it’s not an essential part of their diet, so there’s no real need to share it with your kitty. Avoid feeding rice that’s more than twelve hours cooked as it can harbor dangerous bacteria that can make your cat unwell.

Can cats eat peanuts?

Peanuts are high in fat and salt, both of which are not beneficial to your cat's health. The small size of a peanut can also be a choking hazard and, if eaten in large amounts, can cause a gastrointestinal blockage which can be life-threatening. Many of the seasonings used on peanuts such as garlic, can be toxic to cats, so avoid this food group. 

Can cats eat beans?

Beans are safe for cats if they’re served cooked and completely plain, but beans aren’t an essential part of the feline diet - your kitty should be getting their protein from animal sources.

Can cats eat oatmeal? 

Cats can eat oatmeal - they’re high in fiber and iron, and are often added to many commercial cat foods. Of course, serve in moderation and be cautious not to feed your kitty more than the recommended daily calorie intake.

Can cats eat ginger?

Cats can eat ginger in moderation. In fact, it can soothe an upset stomach (but always speak to your vet about any health concerns first), and remember there’s no guarantee that your feline friend will enjoy the taste!

Can cats eat cereal? 

Cats can eat cereal from time to time (as long as they don’t have an intolerance to grain), but it should only be served as a treat as the largest portion of your feline’s diet should be made up of animal-based protein.

Can cats eat dates?

Cats can eat dates, but always chop them small, make sure they’re not served with any other ingredients and serve in moderation due to their high sugar content.

Can cats eat graham crackers?

Strangely enough, graham crackers are safe for cats, but should only be given as a treat every now and then as they don’t offer any nutritional value for our feline friends.

What can cats eat? Meat and fish

Can cats eat beef?

Certainly - beef is a great choice for cats as long as it’s served plain, fully cooked and without the fat. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they thrive off a meat-based diet.

Can cats eat chicken?

Most definitely - chicken is a great choice for cats as it’s packed with animal-based amino acids which is essential for your kitty’s diet. Found in many commercially-available cat foods, chicken will benefit your feline’s overall health, helping with muscle maintenance and growth. If your cat has an upset tummy, chicken is one of the best meat options to try to get your cat to eat to help aid their recovery. 

Can cats eat turkey?

Served skinless and boneless, cooked turkey is great for cats - it’s packed with protein which is essential in your feline’s diet.

Can cats eat fish?

Many types of fish are safe for cats - it’s an excellent source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids. Never serve up raw fish, as the bacteria could cause salmonella poisoning.

Can cats eat tuna?

Small amounts of tuna in spring water (not brine or oil - these are far too salty and fatty for cats) are safe for cats as an occasional treat, but don’t make a habit of it as tuna is high in mercury. The safe option is to opt for a cat-friendly tuna or a cat food containing the flavor of tuna.

Can cats eat cooked meat? 

Cats should only consume cooked meat - raw meat prepared at home is not considered safe for cats, as it may contain bacteria that can make your cat unwell if eaten.

Can cats eat raw meat?

While raw meat diets are becoming more popular amongst pet parents, you should always consult your vet before feeding your kitty raw meat as it may contain potentially dangerous bacteria, and have been known to cause constipation from lack of fiber. Raw meat diets also pose a human health risk too, especially in young or immunocompromised people.

Can cats eat bacon?

Cats can eat a small amount of cooked bacon, but the high salt and fat content means it can only be fed as a treat every now and again.

Can cats eat shrimp?

Cats can eat shrimp - it’s a high protein, low calorie snack that's perfect for the occasional feline-friendly treat.

Can cats eat pork meat? 

Unprocessed, fully cooked pork is safe for cats - it provides amino acids essential to your cat’s diet, just like chicken or fish.

Can cats eat liver?

Cats can eat liver around once a week - any more than this can make your cat very ill, as liver contains a high amount of vitamin A which can be dangerous in excess.

What can’t cats eat?

Foods poisonous to cats

• Grapes and raisins
• Raw eggs
• Raw dough
• Anything caffeinated
• Any alcoholic drinks
• Chocolate
• Aliums (garlic and onion varieties)
• Anything containing xylitol (a common sweetener)

What fruits can’t cats eat?

Can cats eat grapes?

No, cats can’t eat grapes - they’re highly poisonous to cats, causing kidney failure and GI problems.

Can cats eat avocado? 

No, avocado is not recommended for cats. The fruit contains a toxin called persin, which is especially high in the pit, skin and leaves. The flesh is also high in calories and provides no essential nutrients for our feline friends.

Can cats eat tomatoes? 

No, tomatoes are not safe for cats. Tomatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound to cats which can lead to hypersalivation, reduction in appetite and in rare cases, death. The amount of solanine reduces when the tomato is ripe (red rather than green) but as we cannot tell for certain what the levels of solanine in a particular tomato are, it's best to avoid feeding them to your cat in any form, ripe or otherwise. 

Can cats eat oranges?

No, cats can’t eat oranges because they contain essential oils such as limonene and linalool that are poisonous to cats.

Can cats eat cherries? 

Cherries are toxic to cats as they contain cyanide, which can cause a whole host of nasty symptoms, including breathing problems, muscle spasms and shock.

Can cats eat plums? 

Plums are highly toxic to cats as the seeds, stem and leaves contain cyanide, a toxic compound to cats. 

What vegetables can’t cats eat?

• Green onions
• Yellow onions
• Red onions
• Shallots
• Chives
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Pickled vegetables
• Canned vegetables

Can cats eat onion?

Onions are toxic to cats. Like many other members of the allium family, onions contain an oxidant called n-propyl disulfide which leads to damage of the red blood cells, causing collapse, increased heart rate, hematuria and a whole host of other symptoms that are unpleasant for cats. Thankfully the toxic dose is high so your cat would have to eat a large amount at one time, or eat onions over a long period of time, but the effects are very serious. 

Can cats eat garlic? 

No, cats can’t eat garlic - it’s even more toxic to cats than onions, so never feed your cat garlic, even if something is seasoned with garlic powder. If you think your kitty has eaten garlic, contact your vet straight away and take the packaging of the food item with you if possible.

Other foods cats can’t eat

Can cats eat chocolate?

Cats should never eat chocolate - it contains theobromine - a toxic compound for cats. The effects of the theobromine are linked to the amount of chocolate consumed and effects can be mild through to severe and even fatal.

Can cats drink milk?

Most cats are lactose intolerant, so cats shouldn’t be drinking milk. As a kitten grows, their ability to digest lactose reduces and in some cases, completely diminishes, which means that many adult cats can’t digest it, and so it can cause tummy upsets instead of adding extra nutrition to their diet.

Can cats eat popcorn? 

Popcorn poses a serious choking hazard to cats and is often coated with sugar and salt, so it’s not recommended to feed cats popcorn.

Can cats eat ice cream?

Ice cream is high in lactose, sugar and fat, so cats shouldn’t eat ice cream. Instead, treat your kitty to a plain piece of cooked chicken or beef - we’re sure they’ll appreciate it!

Can cats eat pistachios?

No, cats shouldn’t eat pistachios. Not only do they pose a serious choking hazard, they’re also super high in fat and are often coated in salt. So, avoid weight gain, choking hazards and obesity in cats by reaching for a different, feline-safe treat.

Can cats eat nuts? 

It’s not recommended to feed nuts to cats, some can be toxic and others are a choking hazard.

Can cats eat raisins?

Like grapes, raisins are toxic to cats. They can cause a whole host of nasty symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, and in the worst cases, non reversible kidney failure.

Can cats eat crackers?

Crackers aren’t a healthy choice for cats - they offer no nutritional value for your feline and are often high in additives, oils and salt.

Can cats eat turkey bacon?

While a small morsel of turkey bacon isn’t going to cause toxicity in cats, feeding cats turkey bacon isn’t recommended due to the sheer amount of salt, fat and preservatives.

Can cats eat banana bread?

While bananas are safe for cats in moderation, cats shouldn’t eat banana bread due to the high fat and sugar content. Plus, store-bought often contains preservatives and toxic sweeteners like xylitol.

Can cats eat cookies?

Cats shouldn’t eat cookies - like banana bread, they’re packed with sugar, fat and often xylitol.

Can cats drink coffee or caffeinated products? 

Caffeine is toxic to cats, so never let your kitty have even the smallest sip. Caffeine raises the blood pressure and can cause cardiac arrhythmias, loss of muscle control, tremors and seizures. The effects are related to the amount of caffeine eaten.

Can cats drink alcohol? 

Never let your cat have alcohol - it can upset their digestion, cause disorientation, breathing issues, coma and even death.

Can cats eat dog treats?

Many dog treats are safe for cats, but fulfill your kitty’s nutritional needs and opt for treats made for cats specifically, as they are often easier to digest.

Can cats eat dog food?

Most dog food is safe for cats, but our feline and canine friends have different nutritional needs, so dog food should never replace your kitty’s kibble.

Other human foods cats can’t eat

Can cats eat biscuits?

Cats shouldn’t be eating biscuits made for humans - while a small nibble generally won’t cause any harm (unless it contains chocolate which is toxic to cats), biscuits are packed with sugar, carbs and fat which are all bad news for felines.

Can cats have honey? 

While honey isn't toxic to cats, it's packed with sugar which is bad for our feline friends and could result in vomiting and diarrhea.

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Still unsure about what your cat can or can’t eat?

If you’re ever concerned about your cat’s cuisine, it’s important to consult a veterinary professional. For TrustedHousesitters members, you can do this for free while on a sit by calling the veterinary experts at our dedicated Vet Advice Line, day or night. Whether it’s concerning your own cat or a pet in your care, they’ll happily help you with all your animal-related questions or queries.

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