Is human food safe for cats to consume? The answer is more complicated, depending on which foods you’re talking about. So, can cats eat human food? Sometimes, the answer is yes, and other times, it’s a no. Keep reading to learn more.
Can Cats Have Human Food?
Some human foods are okay for cats to eat. However, just because something is healthy for us doesn’t mean it’ll be healthy for your kitty.
Your cat should always have a balanced diet of their commercial cat food or whatever you and your vet agree upon.
A good rule of thumb is the 10/90 rule. This rule means that 90% of your cat’s diet should be their food. The other 10% should be cat treats, including human food.
What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?
Believe it or not, cats can eat a decent list of human food. But, remember, this food should be given to your kitty in moderation and small amounts. Also, consult about it with your vet first before trying any new foods with your feline friend.
Meat
Cats are carnivores. So, most meats are okay for them to eat. However, the meat should be cooked thoroughly, not raw. The skin and bones should be taken off and thrown away.
Some meats your cat can consume are beef, liver, turkey, chicken, or lamb. These meats should be plain, without added salt, seasonings, or herbs.
Fish
No, it’s not just in the movies. Cats love fish in real life, and it’s good for them, too. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and supports cats with arthritis or kidney disease.
If you feed your cat real fish, ensure it is cooked thoroughly and never provide raw fish to your kitty. In addition, the bones should be taken out and thrown away.
Whole Grains
Oats, brown rice, barley, and other whole grains are safe for your cat to eat. These foods are rich in protein, giving your kitty a health and energy boost.
Eggs
Yes, believe it or not, your cat can consume eggs. However, the eggs should be cooked as scrambled or boiled. Raw eggs are unhealthy for cats, similar to humans. In addition, it poses a risk of salmonella poisoning.
If cooked well, eggs are a great source of protein for cats.
Vegetables
Not all veggies are safe for cats to have. However, some fresh vegetables are healthy for your feline. Vegetables are filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that are healthy for your cat.
Whether your cat enjoys the healthy veggies or not will be entirely up to their taste preferences.
Fruits
Fruits can be trial and error sometimes. Like vegetables, not all cats will enjoy the taste or texture of a safe fruit.
However, fruits also contain vitamins and minerals that benefit your cat’s health. Not all fruits are safe, and you’ll want to deseed any healthy fruits before giving them to your cat.
Cheese
Can cats eat cheese? This answer is more complicated. Your kitty can eat cheese, but it’s not the healthiest option. You certainly shouldn’t provide cheese to your cat regularly.
What Human Foods Can Cats Not Eat?
As you can see, the answer can be a yes or no, depending on what food you want to try with your cat. However, some foods are a hard no, and you should avoid feeding your cat, as they can make your feline sick.
Dairy
Yes, cheese is technically okay for cats to eat, but it’s not the best option. In fact, all dairy products aren’t best for your cat. These foods include yogurt and milk, too.
Despite what the movies show, most cats be lactose intolerant. So, eating dairy can make them sick, depending on their tolerance.
Chocolate And Other Candy
All candy is too high in sugar for cats to consume. Chocolate, incredibly dark chocolate, is toxic to cats. Not only will it make them sick, but it could also be deadly if eaten too often.
Nuts
Nuts aren’t poisonous to cats. So, if your kitty eats one or two, they should be okay. However, nuts have a high fat content. In addition, they have no nutritional benefits for cats.
Grapes And Raisins
While it’s unknown why these two foods are toxic to cats, it’s best to stay away from grapes and raisins altogether.
Alcohol And Caffeine
Any alcoholic beverage, coffee, tea, soda, or anything else that contains caffeine, is a no-go. These drinks are toxic to cats and will make them extremely sick.
Allium Family Foods
These foods include garlic, onions, chives, leeks, scallions, and shallots. Like most foods on this do not eat list, allium foods are toxic and poisonous to cats.
Xylitol
This sugar is often found in gum, peanut butter, and candy. However, cats don’t need a high amount of sugar to stay healthy; too much will make them sick. In addition, xylitol, in particular, is toxic to them.
How Often Can Cats Eat Human Food?
Cats should only eat human foods occasionally. You can provide them with a small piece of whatever you’re eating here and there. However, make sure it’s a safe food first.
Also, if you’re going to add anything to your cat’s dinner for extra nutrients, talk about it with your vet first.
With their okay, you can try to add a small variety to your cat’s diet.
How To Feed Your Cat Human Foods
After discussing certain foods with your vet, you can try sharing some human food with your cat.
For example, you can mash certain fruits (such as berries) to sprinkle on their dinner as a food topper.
On the other hand, you can give them a small piece of whatever you’re eating as a treat.
This is okay if your cat sniffs your plate while eating. They’re simply curious.
However, if they start licking your plate, remove it and put it out of reach. Even if it’s something safe for your cat to have, you don’t want to encourage unwanted table manners.
Question Corner: FAQs About Cats Eating Human Foods
Whether you should feed your cats human food or not is between you and your vet. Unfortunately, not all human foods are safe for cats to eat. To learn more about it, read through the frequently asked questions answered below.
At What Age Can Cats Eat Human Food?
Adult cats can eat particular human food. Kittens have different dietary needs since they’re growing and developing. While some human food is okay for them, it’s best to wait until your cat is a mature adult.
Can Feral Cats Eat Human Food?
If the food is not toxic or poisonous, then yes. If you feed feral cats, then cat food is the best option. Sometimes, it’s best to get them to eat anything, depending on their health condition.
What Human Food Can Cats Eat Daily?
Some fruits and veggies are okay for cats to eat daily. However, they should be in small quantities as a quick treat. If you feed your cat berries, for example, one small berry a day will be okay.
Can Cats Eat Asparagus?
Yes, asparagus is a safe veggie for cats. However, it should only be given to them in small amounts on occasion.
Can Cats Eat Avocados?
No, avocados are considered toxic to cats. Therefore, it can cause them to get sick and possibly die.
Can Cats Eat Bread?
Small amounts of bread are okay for cats to consume. However, there aren’t too many health benefits for cats, so there’s no need to share bread with them.
Can Cats Eat Cabbage?
Yes, in small quantities. The cabbage should be thoroughly cooked and shredded into bite-sized pieces.
Can Cats Eat Cereal?
Some cereals are okay for cats. For example, plain low-fat cereal is alright with low sugar. If you give your cat a little cereal, make it without milk. Don’t feed this to your cat every day.
Can Cats Eat Chips?
No, chips are too high in salt. Other snack foods such as popcorn and pretzels are also not okay to give to your feline friend.
Can Cats Eat Corn?
Yes, corn is rich in fiber. However, too much fiber can give them an upset stomach. So, you’ll want to give this to your kitty in moderation.
Can Cats Eat Coconut?
Small amounts should be okay for your cat. However, it’s easy for them to accidentally consume what they shouldn’t, such as flesh or coconut milk. So it’s best to keep your kitty away from coconut.
Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
If your cat eats the dog’s food, it shouldn’t harm them. However, dogs and cats have different dietary needs. So, it’s not safe to always give your cat dog food.
Should You Give Your Cat Human Food?
The answer depends on your cat’s dietary needs. No matter what the food is, you should always talk to your vet about it beforehand. Otherwise, some human foods can be beneficial to your feline’s diet.
Rachel Poli is a content writer and author, but her real job is being a stay-at-home pet mom. Her zoo currently consists of a dog, a cat, two turtles, and two fish tanks. She’s also an avid pet sitter for a few local families, caring for various animals.
After realizing how little information there is for pet sitters on the internet, Rachel decided to start her own animal website. She strives to educate pet parents and pet sitters about the overall care of our furry friends.