Updated September 30, 2026. Fact-checked against veterinary sources; review by a licensed veterinarian is in progress. See our editorial policy.
Most cats are perfectly happy sticking with cat food, but it’s common to want to share a little of what you’re eating. Some human foods are fine in small amounts, as long as they’re plain, fully cooked, and free of bones, seasoning, onion, and garlic.
Good options include small pieces of cooked chicken, turkey, lean beef, fish, or egg. These should be treats, not meal replacements. A simple rule is to keep all treats to about 10% or less of your cat’s daily calories so their regular cat food still provides the nutrition they need.
Human foods cats can safely eat
If you want to give your cat a bite from the kitchen, these are some of the safer choices:
- Cooked chicken or turkey: plain, skinless, boneless, and unseasoned.
- Cooked lean beef or lamb: trim excess fat and skip sauces or seasoning.
- Cooked fish: salmon or white fish can be offered occasionally, as long as all bones are removed.
- Cooked eggs: scrambled or hard-boiled without butter, milk, salt, or seasoning.
- Plain canned pumpkin: not pumpkin pie filling. A small spoonful can add fiber.
- Plain cooked rice or oats: safe in small amounts, although cats don’t need grains in their diet.
- A few fruits or vegetables: some cats will eat small pieces of cantaloupe, blueberries, steamed carrots, green beans, or peas. Many cats won’t be interested, and that’s completely normal.
A few rules make sharing food much safer
Most problems happen when a food that seems harmless contains an ingredient that isn’t safe for cats. Keep anything you share simple.
- Cook meat, fish, and eggs thoroughly.
- Remove bones, skin, and excess fat.
- Avoid salt, butter, oil, sauces, onion, garlic, and other seasonings.
- Cut food into small pieces.
- Try only one new food at a time.
- Stop if your cat develops vomiting or diarrhea.
- Keep treats to roughly 10% or less of daily calories.
Foods cats should not eat
Some common household foods can make cats seriously ill. Keep these out of reach:
- Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: raw, cooked, or powdered forms can damage red blood cells. These ingredients often hide in soups, gravies, sauces, and baby food.
- Grapes and raisins: they are known to cause kidney failure in dogs and have also been reported as a concern in cats, so they’re best avoided completely.
- Chocolate, coffee, tea, and energy drinks: these contain stimulants that are toxic to cats.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough.
- Xylitol: commonly found in sugar-free gum, candy, and some peanut butters. It is especially dangerous to dogs and should also be kept away from cats.
- Raw meat, raw fish, and raw eggs: these can carry harmful bacteria. Raw fish can also interfere with thiamine, an essential vitamin.
- Cooked bones: they can splinter and cause choking or internal injury.
- Fat trimmings and very fatty foods: these can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.
- Milk and cream: many adult cats are lactose intolerant.
- Tuna as a regular meal: tuna is not nutritionally complete for cats, and frequent feeding can add excess mercury exposure.
- Dog food as a primary diet: it does not provide enough taurine and other nutrients cats require.
One non-food hazard is worth mentioning too: lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even small exposures can cause severe kidney injury.
When to call a veterinarian
If your cat eats something potentially toxic, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison service right away. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at (888) 426-4435, and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.
You should also contact your vet if your cat vomits repeatedly, develops diarrhea that lasts more than a day, or stops eating after trying a new food.
What if your cat has a medical condition?
Cats with kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies, bladder stones, or prescription diets have less room for dietary experimentation. In those cases, ask your veterinarian before adding human foods, even in small amounts.
Common questions
Can cats eat cheese?
A very small piece is usually tolerated by some cats, but many adult cats don’t digest dairy well. Cheese is also high in fat and salt, so it’s better as an occasional taste than a regular treat.
Can cats eat peanut butter?
Peanut butter isn’t a particularly useful cat treat. It’s high in fat, and some products contain xylitol. If it’s offered at all, keep it to a tiny lick and check the ingredient list first.
Can I make my cat’s food at home?
Homemade diets can work, but they need to be carefully formulated. Cats have specific nutritional requirements, including taurine and calcium, and homemade diets are easy to get wrong. A board-certified veterinary nutritionist can create a balanced recipe if you want to feed homemade food long term.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: People foods to avoid feeding your pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutrition in cats
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Feeding your cat
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Nutrition toolkit and treat guidance
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for care from your own veterinarian. Learn about The Pet Vet and our editorial policy.