Cats can have small amounts of some fruit, vegetables and plain cooked meat. The onion family, chocolate, raw meat, milk and canned fish meant for people are on the no list, and lilies are deadly to them.
One at a time, by its everyday name, such as grapes or peace lily.
Can your pet eat it?
Type a food or plant, or pick one: grapes and raisins, chocolate, cheese, bananas, true lilies (Lilium).
Foods cats can have in small amounts
Cut fruit and vegetables small, take out seeds, cores, stems and peels, and leave off seasoning. Cornell adds that treats aren’t a balanced diet for a cat, so keep them occasional.
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Bananas | Tufts lists bananas among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists bananas among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Peel them first. |
| Blueberries | Tufts lists blueberries among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists blueberries among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. |
| Apples | Tufts lists apples among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists apples among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Take out the seeds, core and stem first: the ASPCA says apple seeds, stems and leaves contain cyanide. |
| Watermelon | Tufts lists watermelon among healthy snacks for cats. Take out any seeds and the rind first. |
| Strawberries | Tufts lists strawberries among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists strawberries among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Cut them into bite-size pieces. |
| Carrots | Tufts lists carrots among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA calls carrots a good snack option for pets. Cut them into small pieces. |
| Cucumber | Tufts lists cucumber among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists cucumber among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. |
| Ripe tomatoes | Tufts lists cherry tomatoes among snacks for pets, and the ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline say the ripe fruit is non-toxic. Keep cats off the green fruit, leaves and stems. |
| Lean cooked chicken or turkey | Tufts lists baked chicken breast and lean cooked ground turkey among low-fat snacks for cats. The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked meat are okay with no bones and no seasoning. |
| Green beans | Tufts lists green beans among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA calls green beans a good snack option for pets. Cut into bite-size pieces, and serve plain if cooked. |
| Broccoli | Tufts lists broccoli among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA calls broccoli a good snack option for pets. |
| Celery | Tufts lists celery among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA calls celery a good snack option for pets. Cut it into small pieces. |
| Cantaloupe | Tufts lists cantaloupe among healthy snacks for cats. The ASPCA lists cantaloupe among fruit that’s okay to give to “your pet”. Cut it into bite-size pieces and take out any seeds, core, stem or peel. |
| Honeydew melon | Tufts lists honeydew melon among healthy snacks for cats. |
| Sweet red peppers | Tufts lists sweet red peppers among healthy snacks for cats. |
| Green peas | Tufts lists green peas among healthy snacks for cats. |
| Zucchini | Tufts lists zucchini among healthy snacks for cats. |
| Asparagus | Tufts lists asparagus among healthy snacks for cats. |
Foods cats shouldn’t eat
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Grapes and raisins | The FDA and Tufts list grapes and raisins among foods to keep from pets. Pet Poison Helpline says poisoning is primarily reported in dogs, and the Merck Veterinary Manual reports kidney failure in one cat. |
| Chocolate | Tufts lists chocolate first among foods cats should avoid, and the ASPCA lists chocolate among people foods to avoid feeding pets. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk. |
| Coffee, tea and caffeine | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the FDA list coffee, tea and other caffeine as dangerous to pets. Pet Poison Helpline says dogs and cats appear more sensitive to caffeine than people. |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum and sweets) | The ASPCA lists xylitol among foods to avoid for pets. The FDA says it doesn’t seem to be as dangerous for cats as for dogs. |
| Onions | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and Tufts list onions as toxic to cats, and the ASPCA says cats are more susceptible than dogs. The onion family can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. |
| Garlic | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and Tufts list garlic as toxic to cats. Garlic is in the onion family, and the ASPCA says cats are more susceptible to it than dogs. |
| Chives | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and Tufts list chives as toxic to cats, which the ASPCA says are more susceptible to the onion family than dogs. |
| Leeks | Pet Poison Helpline says leeks, like the rest of the onion family, are poisonous to cats. |
| Almonds, pecans and walnuts | The ASPCA lists almonds, pecans and walnuts among foods to avoid for pets: their fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis. |
| Alcohol | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline and the FDA list alcohol, and food made with it, as dangerous to pets. |
| Raw bread dough | The ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, the FDA and the Merck Veterinary Manual warn against raw yeast dough. The ASPCA says it can rise in the stomach and cause bloat, and the yeast makes alcohol. |
| Bones | Tufts lists bones among things cats should avoid, and the ASPCA says a bone can injure or block a cat’s gut, which could need surgery. |
| Milk and dairy | Cornell says milk isn’t generally recommended for cats, as many are lactose-intolerant, and the ASPCA lists milk and dairy among foods to avoid for pets. |
| Apple seeds, cores and stems | The ASPCA says apple stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide. |
| Cherries | The ASPCA lists the cherry plant as toxic to dogs and cats: its stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide. Pet Poison Helpline says the pits are the main concern, and no source we read says the fruit is safe to feed. |
| Raw eggs | The ASPCA says raw eggs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, and contain an enzyme that can lead to skin and coat problems. |
| Tuna | Cornell says some cats that ate canned fish meant for people developed potentially serious neurological disorders. |
| Oranges | The ASPCA lists citrus among people foods to avoid: the stems, leaves, peels, fruit and seeds contain citric acid and essential oils that can cause irritation. |
| Lemons, limes and other citrus | The ASPCA lists citrus among people foods to avoid for pets, as its peels, leaves, seeds and fruit contain citric acid and essential oils. |
| Salt and salty snacks | The ASPCA, the FDA and Tufts list salt and salty foods among those to avoid for pets. |
| Raw meat | Cornell doesn’t recommend raw meat as a food or a treat for cats, as it can carry toxoplasmosis and other infections. The ASPCA and Tufts warn against it too. |
| Ham, bacon and lunch meat | The ASPCA says to avoid processed meats like lunch meat or bacon, which can be high in salt, and Tufts lists deli meats among high-salt foods. |
| Fatty foods and turkey skin | The FDA lists fatty foods among hazardous foods for pets, and the ASPCA says too much fat can lead to pancreatitis. |
| Coconut | The ASPCA lists coconut on its page of people foods to avoid: the flesh and milk of fresh coconuts contain oils that may cause stomach upset, loose stools and diarrhea. |
| Corn cobs | The FDA says corn cobs can get stuck in a pet’s esophagus, stomach or intestines. |
No clear source: don’t feed it
No vet school, poison control or government source we read says these are fine for cats, or the sources disagree. A food a source clears for dogs isn’t cleared for cats, and neither is one the ASPCA clears only for “your pet”.
| Food | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Macadamia nuts | The ASPCA lists macadamia as toxic to dogs, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says dogs are the only species with reported illness. No source we read says they’re safe for cats. |
| Avocado | Pet Poison Helpline says avocado is non-toxic to dogs and cats, while the FDA calls it mildly toxic to them, and both say the pit can block the gut. With the sources split and none saying to feed it, leave it out. |
| Cheese | The ASPCA allows a small cube of cheese in one article but lists dairy among foods to avoid in another, and Cornell warns that many cats are lactose-intolerant. With the sources split, leave it out. |
| Peanut butter | The ASPCA says a little peanut butter without xylitol is fine for “your pet” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Pineapple | The ASPCA says pineapple is okay to give to “your pet” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Popcorn | The ASPCA says air-popped popcorn is a healthy snack for “you and your furry companion” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. It also lists salty foods among those to avoid. |
| Peaches | No source we read says peaches are safe for cats. The FDA says peach pits contain cyanide and can block the gut. |
| Plums, nectarines and apricots | No source we read says these fruits are safe for pets. The FDA says plum, nectarine and apricot pits contain cyanide, and a swallowed pit can block the gut. |
| Cooked eggs | No vet or poison control source we read says cooked eggs are safe for cats. The ASPCA warns against raw eggs for pets. |
| Rice | No vet or poison control source we read covers rice for cats. |
| Mango | No vet or poison control source we read covers mango for cats. |
| Lean cooked beef or pork | The ASPCA says small amounts of lean cooked beef or pork, free of bones and seasoning, are okay without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Cauliflower | The ASPCA says cauliflower is a good snack option for “your furry friend” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Plain cooked pumpkin | The ASPCA says cooked (canned) pumpkin is a good snack option for “your furry friend” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Kiwi | The ASPCA says kiwi is okay to give to “your pet” without naming cats, and no other source we read covers it. |
| Corn kernels | No vet or poison control source we read covers corn kernels for cats. |
| Bread | No vet or poison control source we read says bread is safe for cats, and Tufts files most bread products under high-salt foods. |
| Sweets, biscuits and cakes | No vet or poison control source we read says sweets or baked goods are safe for pets, and Pet Poison Helpline warns that chocolate candy and baked goods may also contain macadamia nuts, raisins or xylitol. |
If your cat ate something it shouldn’t
If your cat has already eaten something on these lists, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center straight away, at (888) 426-4435, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. A consultation fee may apply. The ASPCA asks you to note how much was eaten. Pet Poison Helpline, another US poison control center, is on (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply there too.
Plants are on plants toxic to cats. Lilies come first there: every part of a true lily, even its pollen, can cause kidney failure in a cat.