Plain is different
A food may be safer plain but risky with onion, garlic, seasoning, sauce, sweetener, bones or excess salt.
Type a food for a fast first answer. These guides support safer decisions, but they cannot diagnose poisoning.
Start with one of today's most common cat-food questions.
Call a veterinarian or animal poison service now. Do not wait for symptoms and do not induce vomiting unless a professional tells you to.
Plain flesh in tiny pieces can be an occasional treat; remove seeds, core and stem.
Read full answer โSometimesBanana is not toxic in a tiny plain taste, but cats do not need it and the sugar and fibre can cause digestive upset.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny plain blueberry is not usually toxic, but cats do not need fruit and some will develop digestive upset.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny piece of plain strawberry is not usually toxic, but cats gain no nutritional need from it and sugar or fibre may upset digestion.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny seedless piece of watermelon flesh is not usually toxic, but rind and seeds should be removed and cats do not need the sugar.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain cooked pumpkin can be safe in a small amount, but it is not a universal treatment for constipation or diarrhoea.
Read full answer โSometimesA small piece of plain, soft-cooked carrot can be an occasional taste for many healthy cats, but raw hard chunks can be a choking hazard.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny fresh cucumber piece is generally low risk.
Read full answer โSometimesA few plain cooked peas can be an occasional taste for many cats, but they are unnecessary and should not displace complete nutrition.
Read full answer โSometimesA small soft piece of plain cooked broccoli is usually acceptable, though unnecessary.
Read full answer โSometimesA small amount of plain fully cooked rice is not usually toxic, but cats do not need it and it should not replace animal-based complete food.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain cooked oats cooled to room temperature may be offered sparingly.
Read full answer โSometimesFully cooked, plain egg can be an occasional small treat for many healthy cats. Raw egg, seasoning, butter and large portions are the parts to avoid.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain, fully cooked boneless chicken can be a small treat, but seasoned skin, cooked bones and chicken-only diets are unsafe choices.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain fully cooked boneless turkey can be a small treat, but skin, gravy, stuffing, seasoning and cooked bones are unsafe.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain, thoroughly cooked lean beef can be a small occasional treat for many healthy cats, but it must be unseasoned and cannot replace complete cat food.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain fully cooked salmon can be a small treat, but bones, seasoning, smoked fish and salmon-only feeding create avoidable risks.
Read full answer โSometimesA small plain sardine can be an occasional treat, but choose one in water without added salt, oil, sauce or seasoning.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain fully cooked shrimp can be a tiny occasional treat for many cats, but shell, tail, seasoning and raw shrimp should be avoided.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny piece of plain cheese is not usually toxic, but many cats digest dairy poorly and cheese adds salt and calories without being needed.
Read full answer โSometimesYogurt is unnecessary for cats, and many adults digest lactose poorly. Flavoured products may also contain excess sugar or unsafe sweeteners.
Read full answer โNoWater is the right everyday drink; adult cats commonly digest lactose poorly.
Read full answer โSometimesA small bite of plain fully baked bread is not usually toxic, but it offers little benefit. Raw yeast dough and breads with unsafe additions are dangerous.
Read full answer โNoPeanut butter is sticky, fatty and unnecessary, and some products contain dangerous sweeteners.
Read full answer โNoCoconut flesh, milk and oil are fatty extras that cats do not need.
Read full answer โNoAvocado is best kept away from cats rather than used as a treat.
Read full answer โNoDo not give cats grapes or raisins. Their safety is uncertain and they can cause severe kidney injury in other pets, so avoidance and prompt advice are the safest choices.
Read full answer โNoRaisins and foods containing them should be treated as a poisoning concern.
Read full answer โNoOnion in raw, cooked, powdered or concentrated form is unsafe for cats.
Read full answer โNoGarlic belongs to the allium family and can damage red blood cells.
Read full answer โNoChocolate is toxic to cats. Dark chocolate, cocoa and baking chocolate are especially concentrated, and any suspected ingestion needs immediate professional advice.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain, thoroughly cooked lean pork can be a small occasional treat, but raw pork, bones, fat and cured products should be avoided.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain cooked boneless white fish is suitable as an occasional extra.
Read full answer โSometimesLiver is nutrient-dense, so only a very small occasional amount is appropriate unless a veterinarian formulated the diet.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain cooked oats can be sampled in a tiny amount, but are not necessary.
Read full answer โAsk a vetA tiny amount is not automatically toxic, but spinach is a poor choice for cats with urinary or kidney concerns.
Read full answer โSometimesPlain fully cooked potato flesh is not usually toxic in a tiny amount, but raw potato, green skin, sprouts and the plant contain harmful glycoalkaloids.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny amount of plain fully cooked sweet potato can be safe, but it is unnecessary and should not replace complete cat food.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny piece of plain apple flesh is not usually toxic to a healthy cat, but seeds, core, stem and leaves must be removed and apple is nutritionally unnecessary.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny ripe mango piece is generally low risk.
Read full answer โSometimesA tiny piece of fresh pineapple flesh is usually low risk but not useful nutritionally.
Read full answer โNoDo not offer tomato plants, green tomatoes or human tomato dishes.
Read full answer โNoWild mushrooms and unidentified mushrooms can be poisonous, so mushrooms are not worth offering.
Read full answer โNoHoney is concentrated sugar and has no useful place in a routine feline diet.
Read full answer โNoOnion in any form can damage feline red blood cells.
Read full answer โNoGrapes and raisins should be treated as unsafe for pets, and there is no reason to test whether a cat is susceptible.
Read full answer โNoKeep xylitol-sweetened products away from cats and contact a professional after any suspected exposure.
Read full answer โNoAlcohol and alcohol-containing foods or liquids can cause dangerous poisoning.
Read full answer โNoCaffeine can cause serious heart and nervous-system effects in cats.
Read full answer โNoUnbaked yeast dough is an emergency hazard because it can expand and produce alcohol in the stomach.
Read full answer โNoCooked bones can splinter, choke, obstruct or injure the digestive tract.
Read full answer โNoA stolen bite is not usually poisoning, but dog food cannot meet a cat's long-term nutritional needs.
Read full answer โAsk a vetCats are obligate carnivores, and an improvised plant-based diet can cause serious deficiencies.
Read full answer โAsk a vetHomemade feeding can be done only with a precisely formulated recipe and consistent preparation.
Read full answer โAsk a vetFood allergy cannot be diagnosed reliably from one symptom or a mail-order sensitivity test.
Read full answer โAsk a vetA preference can be behavioral, but reduced appetite is also an important health signal in cats.
Read full answer โAsk a vetThe package chart is a starting estimate; the right portion depends on body condition, life stage, activity, neuter status and health.
Read full answer โA food may be safer plain but risky with onion, garlic, seasoning, sauce, sweetener, bones or excess salt.
Human food should not replace complete cat food. Portions, calories and medical diets matter.
After a possible toxin, call a veterinarian promptly with the product, amount and approximate time.