What Can Cats Eat Besides Cat Food?

Cats can have a few small bites of plain, cooked meat as a treat. A few plain fruits and vegetables are also okay for pets. But cats eat mainly meat, and the Merck Veterinary Manual says to avoid table scraps. Treat people food as a snack, never as your cat’s main meal.

Why can’t people food replace cat food?

Cornell Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. They need a lot of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and few carbohydrates, plus more than a dozen other nutrients.

A complete cat food is made to cover all of that. Treats and table scraps are not. Cornell says treats are not harmful once in a while, but they are not nutritionally complete.

What people foods can cats eat?

Start with meat, since that is what cats are built to eat. The ASPCA says small amounts of lean, cooked chicken, turkey, beef, or pork are okay to share with pets. Leave out bones and seasoning. The ASPCA page is about pets in general, not only cats.

The same ASPCA page lists some plain fruits and vegetables as okay in small amounts for pets:

• Vegetables: carrots, celery, broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, and cooked canned pumpkin
• Fruit: apples, bananas, cucumbers, pineapple, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries, and kiwi

The ASPCA says to cut firm foods into small pieces and to remove seeds, cores, stems, and peels. It also warns that a new food can upset the stomach, so start with a tiny bite.

Cats don’t need fruit or vegetables, and many won’t want them. For more on specific foods, see our guides to chicken for cats, pumpkin for cats, and blueberries for cats.

What should cats never eat?

Several common foods are a problem for cats. Here is what the sources say:

• Onion, garlic, and chives. The ASPCA says these can irritate the stomach and damage red blood cells. It says cats are more at risk than dogs.
• Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine. The ASPCA says they can cause vomiting, an uneven heartbeat, tremors, and seizures.
• Alcohol and raw yeast dough. Alcohol can cause vomiting and tremors. Rising dough can cause painful gas and bloating.
• Raw meat, raw eggs, and raw bones. The ASPCA says they can carry Salmonella and E. coli. Cornell and Merck also advise against raw meat. Bones can hurt or block the gut.
• Canned fish made for people. Cornell says some cats that ate it developed serious nerve problems.
• Milk and dairy. Cornell, Merck, and the ASPCA all say milk can upset a cat’s stomach. Many cats can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk.
• Salty foods and processed meats. The ASPCA says too much salt can make pets sick. It lists bacon and lunch meat as high in salt.
• Xylitol. This sweetener is in some sugar-free foods, including some peanut butters. The ASPCA says it can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in pets. Check labels.

For a longer list, see our guide to foods that are toxic to cats.

How much people food is okay?

Cornell says treats should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. The ASPCA, speaking about pets in general, suggests keeping snacks to 5 percent. Aim for the low end, and keep most of your cat’s food complete cat food.

How can I give my cat variety safely?

If you want to change what your cat eats, don’t switch to home cooking on your own. Merck says homemade diets shouldn’t be made up without help from a vet, and ideally a veterinary nutritionist. Cornell also says raw and gently cooked diets are not recommended, because they can carry germs and their benefits are not clearly shown.

A complete cat food is the simplest choice. Ask your vet before adding supplements or changing your cat’s diet.