Cat food safety
Can cats eat this?
Browse 60 common foods in a clear safe-to-avoid order. Every answer links back to the animal-health evidence used by PetPence.
Last reviewed 22 August 2026Browse the complete cat food guide
🍿Air-popped popcornYes — one or two fully popped, completely plain pieces.🍎AppleYes — one tiny piece of fresh flesh only.🍌BananaYes — a tiny piece of peeled fruit is enough.🫐BlueberriesYes — one or two washed berries are enough.🥦BroccoliYes — one or two soft, plain pieces if your cat is interested.🥕CarrotsYes — a tiny, soft, plain piece if your cat wants it.🌱Cat grassYes — cat-safe grass can be made available for nibbling.☁️CauliflowerYes — a tiny plain floret if your cat is interested.🍗Cooked boneless chickenYes — a tiny amount, fully cooked and plain.🍗Cooked boneless turkeyYes — a small plain piece can be an occasional treat.🥚Cooked eggYes — a tiny amount, fully cooked and completely plain.🫛Green beansYes — a few soft, plain pieces can be an occasional treat.🍈Honeydew melonYes — a tiny piece of ripe flesh may be offered occasionally.🥩Lean cooked beefYes — a tiny, fully cooked, boneless and unseasoned piece.🍖Lean cooked porkYes — a tiny, fully cooked, boneless and unseasoned piece.🫛PeasYes — a few plain peas may be offered occasionally.🫘Plain black beansYes — one or two soft, unsalted beans can be an occasional extra.🫘Plain chickpeasYes — one or two soft, plain chickpeas may be tried.🫐RaspberriesYes — one washed berry can be an occasional extra.🍉Seedless watermelonYes — one small piece of seedless flesh only.🍓StrawberriesYes — a very small piece, washed and plain.🐾Usual complete cat foodYes — this is the best everyday treat choice.🥒ZucchiniYes — one or two tiny, plain pieces if your cat likes it.🍊Citrus fleshBest skipped — peel, seeds, leaves and concentrated oils pose the greater risk.🐟Cooked boneless salmonOnly a few plain, fully cooked, boneless pieces.🐟Cooked boneless white fishOnly a few plain, fully cooked, boneless pieces.🌽Corn kernelsA few plain kernels may be tolerated; never give the cob.🍝Plain cooked pastaOnly a tiny, fully cooked, plain amount — it is not a useful meal for a cat.🍚Plain cooked riceOnly a tiny, fully cooked, plain amount — it is not a useful meal for a cat.🍠Plain cooked sweet potatoOnly a teaspoon-sized amount, cooked soft and plain.🥬SpinachA tiny plain amount may be okay, but ask your vet if your cat has urinary or kidney problems.🥫Tuna for peopleA tiny amount is unlikely to harm, but it should not be a regular meal.🍷AlcoholNo — alcohol exposure needs urgent veterinary advice.🌰AlmondsDo not offer nuts to cats.🥑AvocadoBest avoided — the stone is also a choking and blockage hazard.🦴BonesNo — cooked and raw bones can both injure or obstruct.🧀CheeseSkip it — many adult cats cannot digest lactose properly.🌿ChivesNo — fresh, cooked and powdered forms are all unsafe.🍫ChocolateNo — contact a veterinary professional after exposure.⚠️Citrus peel, leaves or essential oilAvoid — concentrated oils and plant material pose the greater risk.🍫Cocoa powderNo — contact a veterinary professional after exposure.☕Coffee, tea and caffeineNo — contact a veterinary professional after exposure.🍇CurrantsNo — contact your vet if your cat eats any.🧄GarlicNo — fresh, cooked and powdered forms are all unsafe.🍇GrapesNo — contact your vet if your cat eats any.🍟High-fat snacksNo — ingredients and seasoning make leftovers unpredictable.🥬LeeksNo — fresh, cooked and powdered forms are all unsafe.🌰Macadamia nutsDo not offer nuts to cats.🥛Milk and creamSkip it — many adult cats cannot digest lactose properly.🧅OnionNo — fresh, cooked and powdered forms are all unsafe.🧀Plant-based or lactose-free cheeseSkip it — specialist alternatives may still contain ingredients unsuitable for cats.🍇Raisins and sultanasNo — contact your vet if your cat eats any.🥚Raw eggsAvoid — use fully cooked food only.🐟Raw fishAvoid — use fully cooked food only.🥩Raw meatAvoid — use fully cooked food only.🍞Raw yeast doughNo — rising dough is an emergency.🧂Salty snacksNo — ingredients and seasoning make leftovers unpredictable.🍽️Seasoned leftoversNo — ingredients and seasoning make leftovers unpredictable.🌰WalnutsDo not offer nuts to cats.⚠️Xylitol / birch sugarNo — contact a veterinary professional after exposure.
These pages support quick first decisions for generally healthy pets. They do not diagnose poisoning or replace advice from your veterinary professional.