Food safety

What human foods are safe for cats?

Updated 2026-07-16 · Not a substitute for professional veterinary care

Safe in small amounts

Short answer

A few plain, unseasoned human foods are safe for cats in small amounts: cooked plain meat, cooked egg, a little cooked fish, and some plain cooked vegetables. The rule: treats should stay under about a tenth of the day's calories, and complete cat food should always be the main diet.

Foods that are usually safe in small amounts

Cooked plain meat, chicken, turkey, or beef, no seasoning, skin, or bones
Cooked egg, scrambled or boiled, plain
Cooked fish, a small flake occasionally, not daily (see the tuna guide)
Plain cooked pumpkin or carrot, a little, some cats enjoy it
A few plain cooked peas or green beans

Plain is the key word. No salt, butter, oil, onion, or garlic.

The one rule that keeps treats safe

Even safe foods become a problem in quantity. Keep all treats together under roughly ten percent of your cat's daily calories, and let a complete, balanced cat food do the real feeding. Cats are obligate carnivores: they need meat-based nutrition, not a plate of human leftovers.

Foods to always avoid

Keep away from onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes and raisins, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol, raw dough, and anything seasoned. Each has its own guide in this section. When unsure about a specific food, check it before you offer it.

When in doubt, call a vet. This guide is general information for cat owners. It is not veterinary advice, and it is not a substitute for professional veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. If your cat is in distress, contact a veterinarian or your nearest emergency clinic straight away.

Notice the quiet changes early

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Common questions

Can cats eat cooked chicken?

Yes, plain cooked chicken with no seasoning, skin, or bones is a safe treat in small amounts. It should not replace complete cat food.

Are vegetables good for cats?

Cats are obligate carnivores and do not need vegetables, but a little plain cooked pumpkin, carrot, or green bean is safe and some cats like it. Meat-based nutrition should always be the main diet.

How many treats a day is ok?

Keep all treats combined under about a tenth of your cat's daily calories, so they do not unbalance the diet.