Is Cats Safe?
Human Foods and Cats: What's Safe?
Search any human food for a clear verdict for cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, so "Safe" here means non-toxic in small amounts — not that a food is needed or good as a meal. The best treats are plain cooked meat and fish; a handful of foods (chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins and more) are genuine emergencies. Use the checker for any specific food.
8 toxic to cats 22 caution 22 safe 52 foods listed
| Name | Scientific name | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholalso: ethanol, beer, wine, liquor | Toxic | |
| Almondsalso: almond, almond butter | Caution | |
| Bacon | Caution | |
| Beef (cooked)also: cooked beef, ground beef | Safe | |
| Blueberriesalso: blueberry | Safe | |
| Bread (plain)also: baked bread, toast | Caution | |
| Broccoli | Safe | |
| Butter | Caution | |
| Cantaloupealso: melon, muskmelon | Safe | |
| Carrotsalso: carrot | Safe | |
| Celery | Safe | |
| Cheese | Caution | |
| Chicken (cooked)also: cooked chicken, chicken breast | Safe | |
| Chocolatealso: cocoa, dark chocolate, baking chocolate | Toxic | |
| Coconut (flesh)also: coconut meat, coconut milk | Caution | |
| Coffee & Caffeinealso: coffee, caffeine, espresso, energy drink | Toxic | |
| Cooked Bonesalso: chicken bones, fish bones, bones | Caution | |
| Corn (sweetcorn)also: sweetcorn, maize, corn kernels | Safe | |
| Eggs (cooked)also: cooked egg, scrambled egg, boiled egg | Safe | |
| Ginger (culinary)also: ginger root, fresh ginger | Safe | |
| Grapesalso: grape | Toxic | |
| Green Beansalso: green bean, string beans | Safe | |
| Hamalso: deli ham | Caution | |
| Honeyalso: raw honey | Caution | |
| Macadamia Nutsalso: macadamia, macadamia nut | Caution | |
| Mangoalso: mango flesh | Caution | |
| Milk (cow's)also: cow milk, dairy milk | Caution | |
| Oatmeal (plain)also: oats, porridge | Safe | |
| Peanut Butteralso: peanuts | Caution | |
| Peasalso: pea, green peas | Safe | |
| Pineapplealso: pineapple flesh | Safe | |
| Popcorn | Caution | |
| Potato (cooked)also: potato, cooked potato, mashed potato | Caution | |
| Pumpkinalso: plain pumpkin, canned pumpkin | Safe | |
| Raisins (& currants/sultanas)also: raisin, sultanas, currants | Toxic | |
| Raspberriesalso: raspberry | Caution | |
| Raw Bread / Yeast Doughalso: yeast dough, bread dough, raw dough | Toxic | |
| Raw Eggsalso: raw egg, uncooked egg | Caution | |
| Raw Fish (thiaminase-rich)also: raw fish, raw tuna, sushi | Toxic | |
| Rice (cooked)also: white rice, plain rice | Safe | |
| Salmon (cooked)also: cooked salmon | Safe | |
| Salt (excessive)also: salt, salty foods, table salt | Toxic | |
| Sardinesalso: sardine | Safe | |
| Shrimp (cooked)also: prawns, cooked shrimp | Safe | |
| Spinach | Caution | |
| Strawberriesalso: strawberry | Safe | |
| Tea (caffeinated)also: black tea, green tea, brewed tea | Caution | |
| Tuna (canned)also: canned tuna | Caution | |
| Turkey (cooked)also: cooked turkey | Safe | |
| Watermelonalso: watermelon flesh | Safe | |
| Xylitol (birch sugar)also: birch sugar, artificial sweetener | Caution | |
| Yogurt (plain)also: yoghurt | Caution |
The foods that are real emergencies
A few human foods cause serious, sometimes life-threatening illness in cats and should be treated as emergencies if eaten: chocolate, coffee/caffeine, onion, garlic, chives, leeks, grapes, raisins, alcohol, raw yeast dough, and large amounts of salt. Onions and garlic damage cats' red blood cells (cats are especially susceptible), and the danger is the same cooked, dried or powdered — so soup mixes, baby food and garlic supplements all count. If your cat eats any of these, call a vet or poison line right away.
"Safe" doesn't mean "a meal"
Cats get complete nutrition from a balanced cat food; human-food treats should stay under ~10% of daily calories. Even non-toxic fruits and vegetables often cause stomach upset because a carnivore's gut isn't built for them, and rich or salty scraps (ham, bacon, butter, cheese) can trigger pancreatitis. When in doubt, offer a little plain cooked chicken instead. Verdicts here are cross-checked against the ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and veterinary sources, and link back to the source.
Frequently asked questions
What human foods can cats eat safely?
In small amounts, plain cooked meat and fish (chicken, turkey, beef, salmon, sardines, shrimp), cooked eggs, and several plain fruits/vegetables (e.g. blueberries, watermelon flesh, cucumber, pumpkin, carrots). Use the Safe filter above to browse them — and remember these are occasional treats, not a diet.
What foods are toxic to cats?
Chocolate, coffee and caffeine, onion, garlic, chives and leeks, grapes and raisins, alcohol, raw yeast dough, and excessive salt are toxic to cats; raw fish and cooked bones are also hazards. If your cat has eaten any, call your vet, the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435).
Can cats drink milk?
Most adult cats are lactose-intolerant, so cow's milk commonly causes diarrhea and stomach upset despite the old stereotype. It isn't poisonous, but it's best avoided — offer fresh water instead.
Is tuna safe for cats?
Canned tuna is fine as an occasional tiny treat (about a tablespoon of water-packed, no more than weekly), but not as a regular diet: it isn't nutritionally complete, mercury builds up, and a tuna-heavy diet can cause a painful condition called steatitis. Choose tuna canned in water with no added salt.