1. Home
  2. Cats

10 human foods cats can eat safely

By

It’s all too tempting to slip your cat some food off of your plate, especially when he’s hanging around or begging during mealtime. But human foods for cats can create problems, especially if you feed your cat something that’s toxic. That doesn’t mean that all foods are off the table, though. You can feed your cat certain human foods safely, as long as you do so in moderation and make sure the foods weren’t prepared in a dish that had other elements like butter or spices. According to WebMD and Wedgewood Pharmacy, you can safely feed your cat these 10 foods.

birgl/Pixabay

Cooked meat

Many cooked meats are fine for cats. Cooked turkey and chicken are ideal, and they’re full of protein.

Recommended Videos

When preparing these meats, don’t use spices or cook them in butter or oil. Serve them up without the skin, and make sure to remove any bones – bones can splinter when your cat eats them. Only give your cat cooked meats, since raw meats can upset his digestive system.

Fish

Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help with many of your cat’s body functions, including his eyesight. Salmon is particularly known for its omega fatty acids, which can support healthy skin and coats, and which can help with your cat’s joint health. Avoid feeding raw fish, and only give your cat fish that’s been cooked in water, as opposed to butter or oil.

Eggs

Eggs are full of protein, and many cats like them. Only serve your cat cooked eggs, though, and withhold the butter when you’re preparing them. The easiest way to prepare an egg is to scramble it without adding milk. Then feed your cat small bits.

Cheese

In moderation, cheese is okay for most cats. Keep in mind that many cats can’t digest dairy, so if you feed cheese, offer just a little bit. Cheese is high in protein, so little amounts – as long as the cheese doesn’t upset your cat’s stomach – are fine.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a great food for cats, since it’s high in fiber. It can help to regulate your cat’s digestive system, relieving both diarrhea and constipation.

If you’re feeding canned pumpkin, make sure that you buy pure canned pumpkin, instead of pumpkin pie filling. The pie filling has extra sugar and spices, which can upset your cat’s stomach.

Peas

Peas offer a combination of carbohydrates and protein, so they’re filling. In fact, you’ll find peas included in many cat foods today. Avoid canned peas, which are packed in preservatives. Instead, try to feed fresh peas or frozen peas that have been thawed.

Blueberries

Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants. They’re considered to be a healthy food for cats. Avoid feeding canned blueberries, which have extra sugar. Instead, feed fresh blueberries – just make sure to rinse them off first to get rid of any chemicals or dirt.

Green beans

Green beans are full of fiber, making them a healthy snack for your cat. You can feed him these instead of treats.

Carrots

Carrots are full of important vitamins and minerals, and the beta carotene they contain is known for its antioxidant value. Carrots do have lots of sugar in them, though, so don’t feed too many at a time. Steaming the carrots will soften them and make them easier for your cat to eat.

Broccoli

Broccoli is another vegetable that has lots of antioxidants. Raw broccoli is tough for cats to chew, but you can steam broccoli florets for a softer, tasty treat.

sweetlouise / Pixabay

Safely introducing human food to your cat

When giving your cat human foods, make sure that you prepare them specifically for your cat. Pulling some food out of a dish that you’ve gotten at a store or a restaurant isn’t a great idea, since you don’t know what the food was cooked in or what other foods it was exposed to. Common foods like garlic and onions are toxic to cats, so it’s safest to prepare any foods you’re planning on giving your cat separately.

As you introduce human foods to your cat, do so slowly. Sudden dietary changes can upset your cat’s digestive system. If you notice issues like diarrhea or vomiting, stop feeding your cat the treats and return to his normal food. Feeding your cat too many of these human food treats may also fill up your cat’s stomach and make him reluctant to finish his cat food. This could cause your cat to miss out on some of the nutrition he needs to stay healthy. In most cases, you can introduce these human foods slowly and safely, but keep an eye on your cat’s weight and only feed these foods as occasional treats.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
When can kittens eat dry food? The lowdown on what you should feed them
Tips on feeding your new kitten

Caring for kittens is hard work, but it's one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. Not only are you responsible for the most adorable little lives, but you get to watch them grow and thrive! Preparing to keep them fed and happy, however, is a lot more work. 

Just like human babies have different nutritional needs than adults, kittens have different dietary requirements than adult cats. With few exceptions, your new feline fur baby is considered a kitten for the first year of life. (Large cat breeds like Norwegian forest cats and Maine Coon cats mature more slowly and don't reach adulthood until they're two years old.) Have you ever asked yourself, "When can kittens eat dry food?" We'll give you the full scoop on what you should feed your kittens — and when to change their diet.
Do kittens need wet and dry food? 

Read more
Why do cats lick themselves? It goes beyond just cat grooming
This totally normal behavior could mean a few different things

Cats spend the majority of their time doing one of a few things: eating, resting, grooming, using the litter box, or causing havoc. Their routines can become predictable at times, so it's not even worth a second glance when you catch your cat licking themselves as obviously -- and loudly -- as possible. Cats groom themselves all the time, after all, but when does licking become a bit too much?
Even though cat grooming is completely normal, if it becomes noticeably excessive, your kitty may be licking themselves -- or even licking you -- for another reason. Luckily, we can help you understand why cats lick themselves and how you can tell what may be going on. Here's what you'll want to know and what to look out for.

Is my cat grooming? When licking is normal

Read more
Why do cats open their mouths when they smell? It’s for a really cool reason
The Flehmen response is a little-known reaction in felines that allows them to take in more of their surroundings

Think of the last time you smelled something foul. How did you react? If you're truly made of steel, you may not have reacted at all, but for most people, it's impossible not to flare your nostrils at least. You may have even made a face! All of these reactions are perfectly natural, though humans aren't the only species that reacts to smells, both good and bad. Even your cuddly cat sniffs out the world around them sometimes,
If you've ever noticed your cat reacting to a smell, you're not alone. Some folks have even noticed their cat opening their mouth -- and even sticking out their tongue -- while smelling, but it's not so clear what this means. Is this a reaction to a scent, or is it just a way to get an extra thorough sniff? Whatever it may be, we're here to find out.
Needless to say, you're not alone if you're wondering, "Why do cats open their mouths when they smell?" We've scoured trusted sources to find out, and this is what we know.

Why do cats open their mouths when they smell?
Watching your curious cat open their mouth in a kind of sneer while they get a good sniff of something can raise a lot of questions -- it's understandable. When people do this, it's usually a response to an unpleasant smell, but when cats do this, they're actually trying to get a better understanding of the scent in the air.

Read more