Foods Cats Can't Eat: The Complete Guide
Quick Reference: Reference guide — see individual food entries for details
✅ Safe to eat
- • Cooked chicken (plain, boneless, unseasoned)
- • Cooked salmon (small amounts)
- • Plain pumpkin purée (unseasoned)
⚠️ Use caution
- • Canned tuna (occasionally and in small amounts)
- • Eggs (must be fully cooked)
- • Cheese (small amounts — watch for lactose sensitivity)
✗ Not safe
- • Onions / garlic / all alliums
- • Chocolate / cocoa
- • Grapes / raisins
- • Alcohol
- • Caffeine
- • Raw eggs (risk of Salmonella)
Table of Contents
Foods That Are Always Off-Limits
Onions, Garlic, and All Alliums
Every member of the allium family — onions, garlic, leeks, scallions, chives — is toxic to cats. They destroy red blood cells and cause anemia. This applies to all forms: raw, cooked, and powdered. Cats are actually more sensitive to alliums than dogs.
Chocolate and Cocoa
Like dogs, cats are affected by theobromine in chocolate. That said, since cats typically have little interest in sweet foods, cases of chocolate toxicity in cats are less common.
Grapes and Raisins
Can cause kidney damage. The exact toxic compound hasn't been identified, but the risk is real enough that grapes and raisins should be avoided entirely.
Alcohol
Even trace amounts of alcohol are extremely dangerous to cats and can cause liver and brain damage.
Foods to Approach with Caution
- Milk and dairy: Most adult cats are lactose intolerant
- Tuna (in excess): Feeding large amounts long-term can lead to mercury accumulation and nutritional imbalances
- Raw fish: Contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1)
- Liver (in excess): Too much can cause vitamin A toxicity
- Bones: Can splinter and injure the digestive tract
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Articles
Can Cats Eat Watermelon?
Watermelon flesh is non-toxic to cats, but should only be given occasionally, in small amounts, and always seedless and rind-free. This article covers watermelon's hydration benefits, limitations, and safe feeding practices for your feline friend.
Read more →
Can Cats Eat Tuna?
Tuna isn't toxic to cats, but frequent feeding carries real health risks including mercury accumulation and vitamin E deficiency. Here's what you need to know.
Read more →
Can Cats Eat Shrimp?
Cooked shrimp isn't off-limits for most cats, but it must be fully cooked, peeled, deveined, and have the head and tail removed. This article covers the nutritional benefits, risks, and appropriate serving sizes for feeding shrimp to your cat.
Read more →