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What cats can and cannot eat

46 foods with a verdict for cats specifically, because the answer genuinely differs by species — cats are several times more sensitive to onion than dogs, rabbits cannot vomit at all, and avocado is a mild caution for a dog and lethal for a bird.

If this has already been eaten, ring your vet or an animal poison control line now rather than waiting for signs to appear — for several of these the window in which treatment works closes before the animal looks unwell. Do not try to make the animal sick at home: home emetics are dangerous for corrosive and petroleum substances and for an animal already showing signs, and salt-based ones have themselves proved fatal.

Toxic — treat as an emergency

Food Why Dose known?
Chocolate Equally toxic, but cats rarely eat it — they cannot taste sweetness at all, having lost the receptor gene. Yes
Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants Far fewer reported cases, but the same precaution applies. No
Onion, garlic, leek and chives Cats are several times more sensitive than dogs and feline haemoglobin is unusually vulnerable to oxidative damage. Yes
Lilies Every part is lethal to cats, including the pollen and the water in the vase. Acute kidney failure. No
Alcohol Same, more so. No
Coffee, tea and energy drinks Same. No
Salt, salt dough and sea water Same. No
Raw bread dough Same, though cats eat it less often. No

Everything else

Food Verdict Why
Xylitol and birch sugar Risky Cats appear far less sensitive, but there is little data and no reason to test it.
Peanut butter In moderation Harmless in small amounts and of no nutritional interest to a cat.
Avocado Risky Same — the persin risk is overstated for cats and dogs.
Milk and cream In moderation Same, and the saucer of milk is a genuinely bad idea for a well-known reason.
Cheese In moderation Not toxic, and lactose applies as it does to milk.
Cooked bones Not safe Same, particularly cooked poultry bones.
Apple Safe Safe and of no interest to most cats.
Tuna In moderation Fine occasionally. A tuna-only diet causes real problems.
Chewing gum Risky Less sensitive to xylitol, but the gum itself can obstruct.
Banana In moderation Safe and rarely wanted.
Carrot Safe Safe cooked or raw, and of little interest.
Corn on the cob Risky Same principle, though cats rarely attempt a cob.
Bacon, ham and fatty meat Risky Same, plus a lot of salt for a small animal.
Mushrooms Risky Same.
Dog food, for a cat Not safe Not poisonous, but long term it causes taurine deficiency, which damages the heart and the retina.
Macadamia nuts Risky Not documented as a feline syndrome, but the high fat content alone is a problem.
Tomato Risky Same.
Blueberries and strawberries Safe Safe and generally ignored.
Watermelon and melon Safe Safe, seeds and rind removed.
Almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts Risky Same, and of no dietary interest.
Ice cream Risky Same, plus the brain freeze is not a myth in animals either.
Pumpkin Safe Same.
Potato Risky Same.
Raw fish Risky Some raw fish contains thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B1 and can cause neurological disease.
Raw egg Risky Same.
Cherries, peaches, plums and apricots Risky Same.
Oranges, lemons and limes Risky Cats are more sensitive to citrus oils, and generally hate the smell anyway.
Bread In moderation Same.
Lettuce and leafy greens Safe Harmless.
Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower In moderation Safe in small amounts.
Popcorn In moderation Same.
Yoghurt In moderation Same.
Honey In moderation Safe and of no interest — cats cannot taste sweetness.
Coconut and coconut oil In moderation Same.
Peas, green beans and sweetcorn kernels Safe Safe and of little interest.
Nutmeg Not safe Same.
Rhubarb Not safe Same.
Cinnamon Risky Cats process the essential oil compounds poorly.

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