Human Foods for Cats—What’s Okay Always, Sometimes, and Never

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Some cats show no interest in human food, while others make a habit of begging for scraps at every opportunity. Whether you’d like to indulge your cat’s cravings or just want to know what you can offer them if you run out of cat food, it’s important to put safety first.

Fortunately, many human foods are considered non-toxic for cats. But whether they’re appropriate or healthy beyond the occasional treat is another matter. We spoke to licensed veterinarians and feline nutrition experts to find out which human food cats can eat—and which they can’t.

What Human Food Can Cats Eat?

The majority of your cat’s diet should consist of a nutritionally complete product, but there’s always wiggle room for treats. The key is limiting treats to 10% of your cat’s daily caloric intake and avoiding foods that might harm them.

According to Jennifer Sperry, a licensed veterinarian and advisor for Spot Pet Insurance, it’s equally important to consider whether human food is appropriate to feed a cat—not just whether it’s toxic. “Many human foods contain high salt, sugar, or calorie contents,” she says, “that can negatively impact a cat’s health, especially if fed over time.” Even human foods cats tend to enjoy (like milk or cream) could cause digestive difficulties.

In the list below, you’ll find common human foods cats can eat sometimes, often, and never.

Bread

Cats can eat bread—and some really have a taste for it—but not raw bread dough. The yeast produces ethanol alcohol which can cause seizures and respiratory issues. Your cat can safely consume a bite-sized piece of plain bread. Due to the high carbohydrate content of bread, however, it’s not something you should offer on a regular basis.

Candy

Never give your cat candy containing chocolate or xylitol. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that can cause a life-threatening toxic reaction in small animals. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener known to be very toxic to dogs due to its blood sugar-lowering effects. Cats are more resistant to xylitol than dogs, but it’s still not worth the risk.

Canned Tuna

While cats can eat some canned human foods, most are too high in sugar, salt, or fat to be healthy or appropriate. Plain canned fish like tuna and salmon is a more appropriate option, but they can come with a risk of mercury poisoning. It’s best reserved as an occasional high-value treat, or it can be used to entice a picky cat. Cats can eat canned fish in small amounts up to twice a week—just be sure to stick to varieties canned in water (not oil).

Cereal

A few pieces of cereal now and then shouldn’t harm your cat, but offer it with caution. Avoid overly sweetened varieties, especially any that contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Cereal made with unrefined whole grains is the most nutritious option, but there’s no good reason to feed your cat cereal over an option richer in protein than carbohydrates.

Cheese

Some cats love a nice piece of cheese, but it should only be offered as an occasional treat. Not only can some types of cheese be high in sodium and calories, but most cats are lactose intolerant and may develop digestive upset after eating cheese. Limit cheese to a bite-sized amount and hard, mild cheese only—no soft cheeses or cheese made with mold. Penicillium, used to make blue-veined cheese, can cause fungal toxicosis.

Chips and Pretzels

“Avoid feeding human snacks like chips, candy, or jerky,” says Dr. Sperry, “which contain high amounts of salt, sugar, and processed ingredients.” Plain, unsalted potato chips, for example, contain over 150 calories and nearly 10 grams of fat per ounce. Even a small amount of these snacks has the potential to upset your cat’s stomach. Flavored chips and pretzels may also contain spices harmful to pets, like onion powder or cayenne.

Cooked Poultry

Animal proteins like chicken, turkey, and duck are perfectly safe for cats (as long as they’re not allergic to them). In fact, Dr. Sperry recommends bite-sized pieces of cooked poultry as high-value treats or as a supplemental protein source for cats. A 100-gram serving of cooked chicken breast contains 31 grams of protein. Any poultry you offer your cat should be thoroughly cooked, unseasoned, and limited to 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.

Dairy Products

According to Neus Torrent, a licensed veterinarian and animal nutritionist for Outdoor Bengal, “Adult cats lack lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose found in dairy products.” Even a small amount of dairy—like milk, cream, or ice cream—can lead to digestive upset in cats. Though not technically toxic to cats, most dairy products are also high in fat and calories, so it’s best not to offer them to your cat at all.

Deli Meat

While animal products are generally safe for cats, deli meats like ham, smoked turkey, and salami are not ideal. They’re still rich in protein and essential nutrients like iron, but they tend to be overly processed and can be high in salt and fat. Processed meats also frequently contain preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, which may have carcinogenic effects. The occasional bite-sized piece of deli meat may not harm your cat, but such foods shouldn’t be offered regularly.

Eggs

Like muscle meat and organs from animals, eggs are a great source of easily digestible protein for cats. They’re also rich in essential nutrients like iron, copper, and B vitamins. It’s safe to offer your cat small amounts of cooked egg—ideally boiled or scrambled with minimal cooking oil. Never offer your cat raw eggs without your veterinarian’s approval, as they may contain foodborne pathogens like salmonella or E. coli.

Fish

Another strong source of protein for cats, fresh fish can also be rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids—especially oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Raw fish can contain bacteria and parasites, so only offer your cat fully cooked fish without any bones or skin. Due to the risk for mercury poisoning, fish should be an occasional treat—not a staple of your cat’s diet.

Fruit

Many cats have no interest in fruit, possibly because cats don’t have taste receptors for sweetness or they simply prefer animal-based foods. That said, many fruits are non-toxic for cats and contain beneficial nutrients as well as dietary fiber.

If your cat likes fruit, you can safely offer small amounts once or twice a week. Some safe fruits for cats include bananas, blueberries, watermelon, strawberries, and apples. Always remove any skin or seeds, and never give your cat grapes or dried fruit like raisins.

Grains

While carbohydrates are not required in a balanced feline diet, cats can eat rice and other grains. Their bodies aren’t adapted to efficiently digest plant foods, but grains can be a healthy source of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Whole grains are best in terms of nutritional value, but cooked processed grains like white rice or oatmeal are gentle on the stomach and can be used to soothe diarrhea or vomiting.

Jerky

Commercial or homemade jerky-style pet treats can be a protein-rich addition to your cat’s diet. Jerky intended for humans, however, is generally not safe, because it’s overly processed and tends to be high in salt (and sometimes sugar). Plain dried meat can safely be offered to your cat in small, bite-sized pieces. Our experts recommend limiting your cat’s intake of treats like jerky to 5-10% of their daily diet.

Peas

A staple ingredient in many grain-free pet foods, peas are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamins C and K. While peas are not toxic for cats, they contain lectin, which makes them tricky to digest. Peas are best offered as an ingredient in a nutritionally complete diet, rather than a snack, and ideally as a supplemental protein instead of a main ingredient. Animal-sourced protein is always the priority for cats.

Popcorn

Technically a grain, popcorn is a human snack food that, oddly enough, many cats seem to like. As a whole grain, popcorn is rich in fiber, B vitamins, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc. When it’s served plain (without oil, butter, or salt), it’s low in calories and safe to offer your cat. Keep in mind that unpopped kernels can pose a choking hazard. And even safely cooked popcorn should be limited to a few pieces very occasionally.

Pumpkin

Plain, unseasoned pumpkin is safe for cats in small amounts. Stick to canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) or roasted, steamed, or baked pumpkin without the skin or seeds. The main benefit of pumpkin for cats is its high fiber content. If your cat isn’t used to a lot of fiber in their diet, however, too much pumpkin could cause digestive upset.

Start with less than a teaspoon of pumpkin, working up to a maximum of a tablespoon a day. Try this recipe for push pop pumpkin cat treats.

Red Meat

Like poultry and fish, red meat offers an easily digestible source of protein for your cat. To limit its impact on your cat’s calorie intake, stick to lean cuts of red meat like beef, lamb, pork, and venison. Any meat you offer your cat should be fully cooked—ideally unsalted and unseasoned—and cut into bite-sized pieces. Limit your cat’s intake to 10% of their daily calories and introduce it slowly, watching for signs of stomach upset or food allergies.

Vegetables

As with fruit, some cats simply show no interest in vegetables. Many vegetables are, however, safe for cats to eat in small amounts and can provide key nutrients and dietary fiber. Dr. Torrent recommends limiting vegetable intake to 5% of your cat’s daily diet. It’s also wise to introduce vegetables slowly, as high-fiber foods can cause digestive upset in some cats. Cooking vegetables may help improve their digestibility. Some cat-safe vegetables include broccoli, carrots, green beans, spinach, and even cucumber.

What To Do If You Run Out of Cat Food

When you’re down to your last can of wet cat food or that bag of kibble comes up empty, don’t panic—you have options. The ideal solution is to make a quick run to the pet store (or have an order delivered) to restock your supply.

“It’s okay (and perfectly natural) for a cat to skip a meal occasionally,” says Dr. Sperry, “which allows you the time to dash out and resupply in most circumstances.”

Should you have trouble finding your cat’s regular food in stock, another recipe from the same brand or a product made with the same protein could be a suitable short-term replacement. If this becomes necessary, start with a very small amount of food. Dr. Sperry explains, “Abrupt changes to your cat’s diet can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.” See how your cat tolerates the new food before offering them a full portion.

If you can’t make it to the store, look next to your fridge or pantry. Dr. Torrent notes that while a simple homemade diet may be a safe alternative to commercial cat food in a pinch, it’s one that “won’t always be accepted due to cats’ neophobic behavior” (reluctance to try new foods).

As a temporary meal replacement, the best human food for cats is cooked, unseasoned poultry, fish, or lean meat. “These items are not nutritionally complete,” says Dr. Sperry. She cautions against relying on such meal replacements for longer than 48 hours.

Don’t beat yourself up if you wind up in this situation—everyone makes mistakes. You’ll learn from the experience and will know how to take proper precautions in the future. Dr. Torrent recommends keeping an extra bag of dry food or some cans of wet food on hand for emergencies.

Vet Tips on Feeding Human Food

Cats are most likely to enjoy human foods that satisfy their natural carnivorous cravings. In other words, meat. “Small morsels of cooked, unseasoned meat or fish are good choices for cat treats,” says Dr. Sperry. Such foods can be used as high-value training rewards, or simply as an occasional indulgence for your cat.

Even if it’s non-toxic for cats, introduce human foods slowly. Feed very small amounts until you know how your cat’s body will react to it. And weigh the risk of health consequences against the perceived benefit of indulging your cat’s cravings.

Rather than asking what human food cats can eat every day, it may be more appropriate to ask whether they should be eating it regularly at all.

“Many people will conclude that just because something is not toxic for cats, that it is appropriate for them,” cautions Dr. Sperry. Even foods that are safe and appealing to cats, she says, should be limited to less than 10% of a cat’s food intake. What cats are allowed to eat on a daily basis influences their health and longevity, so make responsible choices on your cat’s behalf.

That said, there’s no shame in wanting to show your cat some extra love—within reason, of course. Keeping some tasty cat treats around (like freeze-dried chicken breast or beef liver) means you’ll always have a cat-safe option to fall back on.

Further Reading

• How Much You Should Feed Your Cat?
• The Healthiest Cat Food to Dish Out on a Budget
• The 10 Best Indoor Cat Foods to Keep Your Furry Housemate Happy and Healthy
• Choosing Affordable Grain-Free Cat Food for Your Kitty
• The 10 Best Wet Cat Foods to Keep Kitty Hydrated