What Human Foods Are Safe For Cats: Best 11 Human Foods That Are Safe For Your Cat

What human foods are safe for cats? Feeding furry human friends seems like a great idea for many cat owners. However, this may not be the best choice for your four-legged friend. Human diets usually contain a lot of fat or calories that cats can safely consume.

There is a possibility that some foods may be toxic to cats. It is important to check with your veterinarian before introducing human food into your cat’s diet.

What Human Foods Are Safe For Cats?

Cats are carnivores, and they should be eating a diet that consists primarily of animal protein. This can be measured in the amount of protein, fat, and moisture (water) in their diet.

Cats have unique nutritional requirements that cannot be met through a diet that contains plant-based proteins such as corn or wheat. Some examples of nutritious animal-based protein sources include: Raw Chicken, Steak, Tuna fish, and Ground beef.

Any food that is meant for humans is not safe for cats. For example, some of the most common ingredients in pet foods are corn, wheat, and soybeans.

These are not appropriate for cats because these plants contain large amounts of starch, leading to insulin resistance (a condition where blood sugar levels rise rapidly in response to large amounts of food) and other health problems.

Just because a food is made for human consumption doesn’t mean it’s good for your cat. Candy, cake, ice cream, and other high-sugar items might seem like a great treat to you, but they’re not going to help your cat stay healthy. These items contain toxic ingredients to cats, such as chocolate and xylitol.

11 Human Foods That Are Safe For Your Cat To Eat

Here are 11 human foods that are safe for your cat to eat:

1. Fish

Fish is an excellent source of protein, which can help with muscle development. Fish provide your cat with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Fish that are good for your cat include: Salmon, Trout, and Flounder.

2. Eggs

Eggs are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Eggs are high in protein and contain arginine, taurine, and methionine. If you feed your cat raw eggs, make sure you cook them first to kill any bacteria.

3. Lean Meats

Meat is an excellent source of protein for your cat. Also, it provides taurine, a nutrient that may help maintain better eyesight and a healthy heart.  Not all meats are safe for cats, though. Try using chicken as it has less fat than other types of meat.

4. Whole-grain bread

If you are trying to avoid carbohydrates, this is not the place to start. Whole grains are a better choice for your cat because they contain most of the nutrients in whole grains but have lower calorie and carbohydrate levels.

5. Stewed chicken

Chicken soup is commonly thought of as a remedy for colds in humans; however, it can be just as effective for your kitty. Make sure you do not add extra salt or any ingredients that contain sugar, starch, or fat.

6. Spinach

Some old wives’ tales suggest that cats will become sick if you feed them spinach, but this is not true. Cats love the taste of spinach and eat it because it’s a good source of iron, folate, fiber, and other nutrients.

7. Fish oil

Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help with skin and coat health, joint health, and heart health.

While fish oil is safe for your cat, you should avoid giving your kitty fish liver oil. Fish liver oil is a source of vitamin A, and high levels of A can cause serious health problems.

8. Fruit & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are a great source of vitamins, water, and minerals for your cat. For instance, feeding your cat broccoli can help with their digestive system and provide them with fiber that helps bowel movements. These human foods should be fed in moderation because high levels of vitamin C can cause stomach upset.

9. Dairy Products

Many people believe that dairy products are good for your cat, but this is not the case. Cats cannot digest lactose (sugar), and they don’t have the enzyme needed to break down lactose properly. While dairy products may not make your cat sick, they will pass through undigested.

10. Pumpkin

If your cat has an upset stomach or diarrhea, you should feed them pumpkin. It contains fiber, which can help with constipation, and it’s also a good source of vitamin A.

11. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is another good food to feed your cat if they have an upset stomach. It contains B vitamins, which help with energy production, and potassium, which helps maintain normal blood pressure.

What Human Foods Are Toxic For Cats?

These human foods can be toxic to your cat:

1. Alcohol & Coffee

Alcohol and coffee contain caffeine, which may dehydrate your cat. Coffee is also known to increase heart rate and blood pressure in cats.

2. Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can lead to vomiting in cats. Also, too much caffeine can cause feline asthma.

3. Certain food additives

Certain food additives found in some human foods, such as corn syrup and soybean oil, are toxic to cats. These ingredients can cause GI upset or can make your cat more susceptible to infections like kitty flu, which may be fatal in some cases.

4. Popcorn

Like the other human foods on this list, popcorn is not good for your cat. It can lead to intestinal blockage or cause problems when consumed in large amounts.

5. Raisins & Grapes

Raisins and grapes are toxic because they contain high levels of acid that can damage your cat’s kidneys. The acid build-up in the bloodstream can be fatal, and in some cases, it could only take one serving of raisins or grapes to cause damage.

6. Onions, Garlic & Chives

Onions, garlic, and chives can cause damage to your cat’s red blood cells. In some cases, only small amounts of these foods are needed to be fatal.

7. Raw Meat

While many people feed raw meat to their cats, this is usually not the best idea. Raw meat may contain parasites that can cause illness and disease in your cat.

8. Chocolate

Chocolate contains theobromine, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke in cats.  If your cat eats chocolate, you should make a veterinarian’s appointment and watch for changes in your cat’s behavior or energy level.

9. Yam & Sweet Potato

Both yam and sweet potato are good sources of potassium, but all that potassium can be deadly to your cat if they have kidney disease or impaired blood pressure.

10. Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener found in gum, candy, and baked goods. It can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar levels and liver failure in cats.

If you are feeding your cat any of the human foods on this list, it’s best to remove them from the house or at least keep them out of reach of your pet. This way, you can avoid dealing with an emergency or illness in your cat due to their eating habits.

Is Human Food Bad For Cats?

Human food is not a good idea for your cat, but if you feed your cat human foods from time to time, make sure that you cook the foods first before feeding them to your pet.

Also, limit the amount of food you are feeding your pet and do not give them any human food that is not cooked.

What Human Food Can Cats Eat Daily?

Don’t let the bad foods for your cats scare you away from feeding your pets human food. Some human foods can be good for your pet daily.

For instance, cooked lean meat is good for cats, and most cats love it. Also, high-fiber foods, such as vegetables and fruits, are good for a cat’s digestive system.

Remember to check with your veterinarian before giving any human food to your cat to make sure it is safe for them to eat.

The Bottom Line

This article has provided a great list of foods that are safe for cats and things that should be avoided at all costs. You can discuss feeding these foods to your cat with your veterinarian to see what they recommend.

You should also check out what is bad for cats and the signs of something bad for cats. If you have any questions, you can comment or ask the community. Thanks for reading!