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Cats › Food Guide

What Can Cats Eat?
The Complete Safe Food Guide

Cats are obligate carnivores — their nutritional needs are fundamentally different from dogs and humans. This guide covers 30 foods with safety ratings and vet-reviewed advice.

8 Safe foods 13 Caution 9 Avoid
Cats are obligate carnivores. Unlike dogs, cats cannot synthesise essential nutrients like taurine and arachidonic acid from plant sources — they must get them from animal protein. This is why "safe for dogs" doesn't automatically mean "safe for cats," and why human food should only ever supplement, never replace, a complete cat diet.
If your cat has eaten something toxic: contact your vet immediately or call an emergency animal poison line. Don't wait for symptoms.
In this guide

Quick Reference: 30 Common Foods

Click any food name with a full guide for detailed advice on portions, preparation and warning signs.

Food Safe? Notes Guide
Chicken Safe Plain cooked chicken is one of the best protein sources for cats. Read →
Salmon Caution Cooked only — raw salmon risks parasites. Occasional treat, not daily. Read →
Tuna Caution Occasional treat only. Daily tuna causes mercury buildup and addiction. Read →
Eggs Safe Cooked eggs only. Good protein source. Never raw (Salmonella risk). Read →
Turkey Safe Plain cooked turkey is fine. No skin, bones or seasoning. —
Shrimp Safe Cooked, plain — remove shell and tail. High protein, low fat. —
Raw meat Caution Bacterial contamination risk. Vet consultation recommended first. —
Cheese Caution Most cats are lactose intolerant as adults. Small amounts only. Read →
Milk Caution Causes digestive upset in most adult cats. Avoid regularly. —
Yoghurt Caution Plain, unsweetened only — some cats tolerate it better than milk. —
Blueberries Safe Not toxic. Very small amounts only — cats can't taste sweetness. Read →
Watermelon Safe Flesh only — remove seeds and rind. Rare treat, not a staple. Read →
Mango Caution Not toxic, but no nutritional benefit for cats. Small amounts only. Read →
Banana Caution Not toxic, but high sugar. Cats don't benefit from fruit. Read →
Strawberry Caution Not toxic in tiny amounts, but no benefit for obligate carnivores. —
Grapes Avoid Potentially toxic — kidney damage reported. Avoid completely. —
Raisins Avoid Same toxicity concern as grapes. Never feed to cats. —
Citrus fruit Avoid Oils in peel and flesh are toxic. Cats typically refuse it anyway. —
Carrots Safe Safe cooked or raw. No nutritional value for cats but not harmful. Read →
Broccoli Safe Small amounts fine. Some cats enjoy it as enrichment. —
Spinach Caution Safe for healthy cats — avoid if your cat has kidney or bladder issues. —
Onion Avoid Toxic — destroys red blood cells. All forms including powder. —
Garlic Avoid More toxic than onion per gram. Even small amounts dangerous. —
Rice Caution Not toxic but cats gain nothing from carbohydrates. Minimal amounts. —
Bread Caution Not toxic in tiny amounts — but no nutritional value for cats. —
Chocolate Avoid Toxic — theobromine poisoning can be fatal. —
Xylitol Avoid Toxic artificial sweetener found in gum, peanut butter, baked goods. —
Caffeine Avoid Coffee, tea, energy drinks — toxic to cats. —
Alcohol Avoid Toxic even in tiny amounts. Liver and brain damage. —
Dog food Caution Not immediately toxic, but cat-specific nutrition is essential long term. —

In-Depth Food Guides for Cats

Each guide covers cat-specific biology, safe amounts, preparation tips and when to call your vet.

The Best Human Food Treats for Cats

Since cats are carnivores, the safest and most beneficial human foods for them are all protein-based. These are the ones that actually align with feline biology.

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Cooked Chicken

Plain boiled or baked chicken is the gold standard cat treat — biologically appropriate and widely loved.

Full guide →
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Cooked Eggs

Excellent complete protein. Scrambled or boiled with no butter, oil or salt. One key nutrient cats genuinely benefit from.

Full guide →
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Cooked Salmon

High in omega-3s and protein. Cook fully — raw salmon risks parasites. Weekly treat, not daily.

Full guide →
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Cooked Shrimp

High protein, low fat. Remove shell and tail. One of the cleanest human-food treats for cats.

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Cooked Turkey

Plain, unseasoned turkey is close to chicken in its benefit. Avoid anything with onion, garlic or stuffing.

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Blueberries

Not toxic and fine in tiny amounts. More of an enrichment treat — don't expect nutritional benefit for carnivores.

Full guide →

Foods That Are Toxic to Cats

Cats are often more sensitive to toxins than dogs, and their smaller body weight means less food can cause more harm. Onion and garlic in particular are extremely dangerous — and they can be hidden in sauces, broths and seasonings.

Grapes
Potentially toxic — kidney damage reported. Avoid completely.
Raisins
Same toxicity concern as grapes. Never feed to cats.
Citrus fruit
Oils in peel and flesh are toxic. Cats typically refuse it anyway.
Onion
Toxic — destroys red blood cells. All forms including powder.
Garlic
More toxic than onion per gram. Even small amounts dangerous.
Chocolate
Toxic — theobromine poisoning can be fatal.
Xylitol
Toxic artificial sweetener found in gum, peanut butter, baked goods.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, energy drinks — toxic to cats.
Alcohol
Toxic even in tiny amounts. Liver and brain damage.

If your cat has eaten any of the above, contact your vet immediately. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24/7.

Common Questions

My cat keeps begging for my food — is it OK to share?
Occasional small amounts of plain cooked protein (chicken, turkey, egg) are fine. The problem is habitual sharing of whatever you're eating — sauces, seasonings and mixed dishes often contain onion, garlic or other ingredients that are toxic to cats without you realising.
Can cats eat dog food in an emergency?
One meal of dog food won't harm a cat, but it's not nutritionally suitable long-term. Dog food lacks taurine at cat-appropriate levels, and taurine deficiency in cats causes heart and eye disease. Keep a supply of cat food if possible.
Why does my cat beg for tuna but I know it's not great?
Tuna is deliberately designed to be irresistible — it's high in odour compounds that trigger strong feeding responses in cats. The problem is that cats can become so fixated on tuna that they refuse to eat anything else. Use it sparingly as a treat, not a regular meal.
Is a raw food diet safe for cats?
Some vets support carefully balanced raw diets for cats, but improperly prepared raw food carries real risks: Salmonella, Listeria, and parasites. If you want to feed raw, work with a vet or veterinary nutritionist to ensure the diet is complete and safe.
What should I do if my cat ate something from the toxic list?
Call your vet immediately — don't wait for symptoms. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Centre (US: 888-426-4435) and the Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia: 1300 869 738) are available 24/7. Tell them what was eaten, how much, and your cat's approximate weight.
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Have a dog too?

Dogs and cats have very different digestive systems — what's fine for your cat may not be safe for your dog.

Dog food guide →