Cats are obligate carnivores with a metabolism that processes food very differently from ours, which means some everyday kitchen staples that seem completely harmless can actually be dangerous. Here’s what’s genuinely safe to share, what to keep locked away, and what to do if your cat gets into something they shouldn’t.
Table of Contents
- Toxic Foods: Never Feed These
- Signs of Poisoning
- What to Do If Your Cat Eats Something Toxic
- Safe Human Foods (In Moderation)
- Foods That Deserve Extra Caution
- General Rules for Sharing Food Safely
- FAQ
Toxic Foods: Never Feed These
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks (the allium family). According to Michael Hyder, DVM, medical director at VEG ER for Pets, these damage red blood cells and can cause hemolytic anemia in cats — and every form counts, whether raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated, including small amounts hidden in baby food, broth, or leftovers.
Chocolate. Contains theobromine and caffeine, both toxic to cats even in small amounts. Can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and in severe cases, death — this applies to all chocolate types, including white chocolate.
Alcohol. Extraordinarily dangerous for cats — as little as a teaspoon can cause serious harm, including coma, liver damage, or brain damage, since cats process alcohol far less efficiently than humans.
Grapes and raisins. Linked to kidney failure in cats, similar to dogs. While the evidence in cats is more anecdotal than in dogs, veterinarians strongly recommend keeping them out of reach entirely given how serious the potential outcome is. Tamarinds and cream of tartar carry a similar risk due to the same compound.
Raw yeast dough. According to veterinarian Dr. Bethany Hsia, founder of CodaPet, yeast in raw dough continues fermenting in the warm environment of a cat’s stomach, producing alcohol and gas that can cause alcohol poisoning and a dangerous, potentially life-threatening abdominal condition.
Xylitol. This sugar substitute, found in some sugar-free products and baked goods, is toxic to cats as well as dogs.
Avocado. Contains persin, a toxin that can be harmful to cats.
Fruit pits and seeds (apricot, peach, cherry, apple). Contain compounds that can be toxic in addition to posing a choking hazard.
Rhubarb, and tomato or potato leaves/stems. Contain toxins that can affect the liver — the ripe fruit itself (tomato flesh) is a different, lower-risk story, but the plant parts should be avoided.
Excess salt. Cats get all the sodium they need from a complete cat food; large amounts of salty human food can disrupt electrolyte balance and, in severe cases, be fatal.
Raw meat, raw fish, and raw eggs. Carry a real risk of Salmonella and E. coli exposure, along with (for raw fish specifically) an enzyme that can break down thiamine, an essential nutrient.
Signs of Poisoning
According to Dr. Hyder, cats can be subtle about not feeling well, so it’s worth knowing the general warning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, drooling, tremors, difficulty breathing, or unusual behavior after eating something questionable. Symptoms can take time to appear, which is part of why acting on a known or suspected ingestion — rather than waiting to see if symptoms show up — matters.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Something Toxic
Contact your veterinarian, an emergency vet, or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661; a consultation fee applies) right away, even if your cat isn’t showing symptoms yet. Try to note what was eaten and roughly how much — this genuinely speeds up treatment decisions. Don’t try to induce vomiting without professional guidance, since doing so incorrectly can cause additional harm.
Safe Human Foods (In Moderation)
As occasional treats — ideally no more than about 10% of daily calories — these are generally fine for most cats:
- Cooked, lean meat — chicken, turkey, or beef, fully cooked, deboned, and unseasoned
- Cooked fish — plain, boneless (raw fish specifically should be avoided; see above)
- Small amounts of canned tuna (packed for humans is fine occasionally, but shouldn’t become a regular habit due to fat and mercury content — roughly a tablespoon as an occasional treat)
- Plain cooked eggs — fully cooked, not raw
- Small amounts of plain bread — no real nutritional value, but not harmful in small quantities
- A teaspoon or so of peanut butter — as long as it’s confirmed xylitol-free
- Small amounts of cooked, plain corn — not toxic, though it offers little nutritional benefit and shouldn’t be a regular addition
Foods That Deserve Extra Caution
Dairy. Many cats are lactose intolerant to varying degrees, and dairy is a common cause of vomiting or diarrhea in cats despite the popular image of cats loving milk. Small amounts of plain yogurt are sometimes tolerated better than milk or cheese, but it’s not a given for every cat.
Citrus fruits. The seeds, leaves, stem, and peel of oranges and other citrus contain oils that are toxic to cats, and the acidity of the fruit itself can upset a cat’s stomach even without the peel involved.
Cats with existing health conditions. For cats with kidney disease, diabetes, bladder stones, or other diagnosed conditions, it’s best to stick strictly to vet-recommended food, since even “safe” human foods can interact poorly with certain conditions or prescription diets.
General Rules for Sharing Food Safely
- Keep any human-food treats under about 10% of daily calories
- Never add seasoning, salt, onion, or garlic to anything shared with your cat
- When in doubt about a specific food, skip it — the downside of missing out on a treat is far smaller than the downside of a toxic exposure
- Store toxic foods well out of reach, including on counters and in accessible trash
- Save the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) in your phone before you need them
FAQ
Can cats eat tuna regularly? Occasional small amounts are fine, but regular tuna feeding isn’t recommended — it’s not nutritionally complete for cats and carries mercury and fat considerations over time.
Is milk actually bad for cats? For many adult cats, yes to some degree — most cats lose the ability to properly digest lactose after kittenhood, so milk commonly causes digestive upset despite the classic image of cats drinking it.
Are eggs safe for cats? Cooked eggs, yes, in small amounts. Raw eggs carry a Salmonella risk and aren’t recommended.
How much chocolate is dangerous for a cat? There’s no safe threshold worth testing — cats are highly sensitive to chocolate’s toxic compounds, and even small amounts warrant a call to your vet or poison control.
Sources referenced for accuracy: PetMD’s toxic foods guide; Chewy’s toxic foods list featuring Dr. Michael Hyder and Dr. Bethany Hsia; Pawlicy Advisor’s guide featuring Dr. Ricky Walther, DVM; Vets Now, Petco, and Daily Paws’ clinical overviews of cat food safety.