Many people think begging at the dinner table is a behaviour only dogs exhibit, but What can cats eat? Whether you're enjoying a tuna sandwich or a bowl of ice cream, your feline companion may expect a treat. However, it's essential to remember that just because a food is safe for humans doesn't mean it's safe for cats.

This article helps you understand what human food cats can eat safely. It covers treats you can share in small amounts and those you should avoid to keep your cat healthy.

Your cat typically gets all necessary nutrients from 100% complete and balanced cat food, but some human foods can also be safe. Cats can eat cooked meats (like beef, turkey, and chicken) and deboned cooked fish (such as tuna). It's important to avoid raw meats and fish, as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.

When feeding your cat, cooked, lean meats such as beef, chicken, turkey, liver, and lamb are appropriate choices. It's crucial to ensure these meats are thoroughly cooked to avoid any risks associated with raw meat. Remove all bones and skin before offering them to your cat to prevent potential health issues like vomiting or diarrhea. These precautions help maintain your cat's health and ensure they receive the necessary nutrients from their diet.

Cats are well known for their affinity for fish, and many types are suitable for their diet! Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential for their health and beneficial for conditions like arthritis and kidney disease in cats. What fish can cats eat? As with meats, it's crucial to cook the fish thoroughly and remove all bones before feeding it to your cat. Avoid feeding raw fish, as it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, which are harmful to your cat's overall well being.

Whole grains such as oats, corn, brown rice, and couscous are human foods that your cat can eat. They are rich in protein, contributing to a balanced diet that helps your cat stay healthy.

When considering what cats can eat, it may surprise you to know that eggs are an option! Cats can safely enjoy a small portion of cooked eggs, whether scrambled or boiled. Eggs are packed with essential amino acids and protein, making them a nutritious addition to their diet. However, it's crucial to avoid feeding your cat raw eggs, as there is a risk of salmonella, which can affect both cats and humans.

Cats often have a dislike for vegetables, so they may simply ignore them when offered. However, what veg can cats eat? If your feline does enjoy an occasional veggie snack, they can provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and hydration. Some safe vegetables that cats can eat include steamed broccoli, carrots, and asparagus, contributing to a balanced diet that helps keep your cat healthy.

Like vegetables, fruits can be hit or miss with cats due to texture and taste preferences. However, some cats do enjoy fruits, and there are safe options for them to eat.

Many fruits contain essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, and are low in calories! Safe fruits for cats include bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, seedless watermelon, peeled and deseeded apples, and pumpkins, which can all serve as tasty and nutritious snacks to complement a balanced diet and help keep your cat healthy.

While many cats may not typically enjoy fruits and vegetables, if you notice your furry friend showing interest in your cucumber snacks, it's generally safe to share a small amount with them. Cucumbers can provide essential vitamins and contribute to hydration and digestive health for your cat. However, it's important to peel the cucumber first to remove any potential pesticides on the skin that could cause stomach upset.

Peas are starchy and rich in fiber, making them a beneficial vegetable to share with your cat, especially if they experience occasional constipation. Many commercial cat foods include peas due to their nutritional benefits. However, when offering garden or snow peas to your cat, remember to remove them from the pod first, as pea pods may not be easily digestible for cats.

Certain types of rice can support your cat's digestion and provide essential nutrients. For example, while white rice is lower in nutritional content, opting for brown rice offers more vitamins and minerals, making it a healthier choice for your cat's diet.

Explore more about Cat Feeding and Cat Nutrition to ensure your cat gets the balanced diet they need.

Raw oatmeal is a common ingredient in many cat foods because it's a whole grain rich in high quality protein, fats, and essential amino acids. It provides sustained energy for cats without excessive carbohydrates. Cooked oatmeal can also be fed to your cat in moderation, but it's important to prepare it with water instead of milk to avoid dairy products, which can be unsuitable for cats.

Spinach is a safe vegetable to offer your cat in moderation, as it is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. However, it's important to avoid feeding spinach to cats with a history of urinary tract stones or urinary issues.

While some human foods are safe for cats, many others are toxic and can pose serious health risks. Here are 12 foods you should never give to your cat under any circumstances.

Onions, Garlic and Allium Plants Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and other plants in the allium family are toxic to cats. These foods can break down a cat’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Contrary to popular belief, most dairy products are not suitable for cats as they are lactose-intolerant. While many cats enjoy dairy and may lap up milk or cheese left unattended, these can cause digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation.

Chocolate is toxic to cats due to its caffeine and theobromine content. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, and other serious symptoms. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary if your cat consumes chocolate.

Grapes and raisins can quickly lead to kidney failure in cats, even in small quantities. If your cat ingests grapes, watch for vomiting and seek emergency veterinary care.

Nuts pose a choking hazard and are high in fat and calories, which are not suitable for cats. Similarly, seeds are also high in fat and can cause digestive upset like vomiting or diarrhea.

Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias in cats, posing serious health risks.

Even small amounts of xylitol, a sweetener found in some foods and products, can cause hypoglycemia and liver failure in cats.

Raw meats and fish can harbor bacteria that cause food poisoning in cats, leading to severe illness or even death. These should never be fed to cats.

Raw yeast dough can ferment in a cat’s stomach, producing ethanol and causing bloating and disorientation. Avoid feeding cats any raw dough.

Cooked animal bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries in cats. They should be avoided as a treat.

Alcohol is toxic to cats and can lead to ethanol poisoning, resulting in depression of the central nervous system. Cats should never be exposed to alcohol in any form.

It's crucial to keep these harmful foods away from cats and seek immediate veterinary care if accidental ingestion occurs.

Cats can safely eat raw beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb, provided the meat is fresh and handled properly to minimize bacterial contamination. It's important to choose high quality cuts without additives or seasonings. Feeding raw meat should be done cautiously, considering potential health risks and consulting with a veterinarian to ensure a balanced diet tailored to the cat's specific nutritional needs and health status.

Cats should not eat certain fruits due to potential health risks. Avoid feeding cats grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure even in small amounts. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits contain essential oils and acids that can cause gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, avoid feeding cats fruits with pits or seeds, such as cherries, as these can be choking hazards or contain substances harmful to cats. It's essential to provide cats with a balanced diet primarily consisting of cat food formulated to meet their specific nutritional needs.

Cats can eat canned tuna that is specifically designed for cats and labeled as such. These canned tuna products for cats are typically formulated to meet feline nutritional requirements and do not contain added salts or seasonings that could be harmful to cats. It's important to choose tuna that is packed in water rather than oil, as excessive oil content can lead to digestive issues in cats. Additionally, feeding tuna as an occasional treat is recommended, rather than as a primary diet, to ensure a balanced nutritional intake for cats.

Cheese can be safe for cats to eat in small amounts, but it's important to be cautious. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree, meaning they may have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in dairy products like cheese. Feeding cheese in moderation and observing your cat for any signs of digestive upset, such as diarrhea or vomiting, is advisable. Opt for low lactose or lactose free cheeses if you choose to offer cheese to your cat as a treat. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new food to your cat's diet to ensure it is safe and appropriate for them.

Cats can eat small amounts of plain, cooked bread or pasta as an occasional treat, but these foods should not be a significant part of their diet. Bread and pasta lack essential nutrients that cats need, such as taurine and other vitamins found in meat based diets. Additionally, the carbohydrates in bread and pasta are not a natural part of a cat's diet, which is primarily carnivorous. Feeding these foods sparingly and ensuring they are plain and free from seasonings or additives is important. Always prioritize feeding your cat a balanced diet of high quality cat food that meets their nutritional requirements.