Most cats do not need human food. A complete and balanced cat diet supplies the nutrients they require, while table scraps can add excess calories or introduce ingredients that are harmful to cats. Still, a few plain, carefully prepared foods can be occasional treats for healthy adult cats.
Start here: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on nutrients normally found in animal-based foods. Keep extras small and occasional, and ask your veterinarian before offering treats to kittens or cats with kidney disease, diabetes, food allergies, or prescription diets. The Cornell Feline Health Center explains why a balanced feline diet matters more than any single treat.
Human foods that can be occasional cat treats
Plain cooked chicken
A few tiny pieces of boneless, skinless, thoroughly cooked chicken are often an appealing treat. Remove all bones, skin, fat, and seasoning. Rotisserie chicken, deli meat, and broths may contain excessive salt or onion and garlic, so they are not good substitutes.
Plain cooked turkey
Small pieces of unseasoned, boneless turkey can be offered in moderation. Avoid turkey skin, gravy, stuffing, and processed lunch meat. Poultry alone is not a complete diet for cats because essential nutrients and mineral balances may be missing.
Fully cooked egg
A tiny portion of scrambled or boiled egg without butter, oil, salt, or seasoning can be a treat. Do not feed raw egg: it can carry bacteria, and raw egg white contains avidin, which interferes with biotin absorption when consumed regularly.
Plain cooked fish
A small bite of thoroughly cooked, deboned fish may be acceptable occasionally. Avoid smoked, heavily salted, seasoned, or raw fish. Fish prepared for people—including canned tuna—should not become a cat’s regular meal, and certain species can contain contaminants. A nutritionally complete cat food is the safer everyday option.
Plain cooked lean beef
A few tiny pieces of fully cooked, unseasoned lean beef may be suitable for cats without beef allergies. Trim visible fat and remove bones. Do not feed raw meat because of bacterial and parasitic risks to cats and people in the household.
Small amounts of plain pumpkin
Some cats tolerate a little plain cooked pumpkin or pure canned pumpkin. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which may contain sugar and spices. Pumpkin is not a reliable treatment for constipation, diarrhea, or hairballs; persistent symptoms need veterinary assessment.
Occasional small bites of vegetables
A few cats show interest in soft, plain cooked green beans, carrots, or peas. These are not necessary parts of a cat’s diet. Serve only tiny pieces and avoid onion, garlic, butter, and sauces. A cat refusing vegetables is not missing out on a required food group.
Foods cats should not eat
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks can damage feline red blood cells. Chocolate and caffeine can affect the heart and nervous system. Alcohol, raw yeast dough, and heavily salted foods can cause serious problems. Bones and fruit pits can cause choking or digestive injury. Read the ASPCA’s guide to people foods to avoid for additional hazards.
Milk and cream are not ideal treats: many adult cats cannot digest lactose well and may develop diarrhea. Raw meat, raw eggs, and raw fish also carry infectious risks. Never offer human medications or supplements as food additives without veterinary advice.
How much human food can a cat have?
A cat’s daily calorie requirement is much smaller than a person’s. Even a tablespoon of a rich food may be excessive for a small cat. As a practical upper limit, keep all treats well below 10% of daily calories unless your veterinarian provides a different target; some cats need fewer or no treats. The remaining calories should come from a complete and balanced feline diet.
Give only one new food at a time, starting with a tiny amount. Stop if your cat vomits, develops diarrhea, or seems uncomfortable. Treats should never be used to entice a cat to eat for days instead of investigating loss of appetite: cats that are not eating normally can become seriously ill.
Preparing a safe treat
- Cook meat and eggs thoroughly, without seasoning.
- Remove every bone and cut the food into very small pieces.
- Do not use sauces, garlic, onions, butter, or rich fats.
- Keep the portion small enough that it does not replace a meal.
- Discard uneaten perishable food promptly and wash hands and surfaces after handling raw ingredients.
- Ask your veterinarian before adding treats to a therapeutic or weight-management diet.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat tuna from a can?
An occasional tiny bite of plain tuna is different from feeding it as a regular meal. Human canned tuna is not nutritionally balanced for cats, and frequent feeding can create dietary imbalances. Use complete cat food as the staple.
Can cats drink milk?
Many adult cats are lactose intolerant, so cow’s milk may cause stomach upset or diarrhea. Fresh water is the appropriate everyday drink.
What if my cat eats something toxic?
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital promptly. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 (fees may apply). Do not induce vomiting or give home remedies unless a veterinary professional instructs you to.
Is homemade cat food healthier?
Not automatically. Cats have precise requirements for taurine, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. A home-prepared diet should be formulated with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist rather than improvised from meat and vegetables.
This page is educational and does not replace individualized veterinary nutrition or emergency advice.
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.