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Cats can be finicky eaters and very refined in their tastes, rejecting unknown foods and dietary adjustments. This predilection doesn’t stop many cats from begging for extra nibbles and treats, however, and knowing the people foods cats can eat can help you give your feline friend a tasty snack now and then.

People Foods That Are Safe for Cats

A wide variety of people foods are safe for cats, but not every cat may like every taste or texture. Furthermore, cats with special health concerns may not be able to eat even these foods, and it is important to consult your veterinarian before offering any people foods to a cat with dietary sensitivities or health issues.

Cats are primarily carnivores and can easily eat nearly any type of meat, including chicken, turkey, beef, fish, and ham. The meat should be thoroughly cooked to be safe, and no spoiled meat should ever be offered to a cat. Furthermore, meats that are heavily sauced, seasoned, or marinated are not suitable for cats.

Cats can also eat many different types of fruits and vegetables, and a varied diet will provide better nutrition for your cat. Safe foods to offer cats include:

• Apple
• Asparagus
• Avocado
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Bread
• Broccoli
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Cheese
• Corn
• Couscous (cooked)
• Cucumber
• Eggs (cooked)
• Green beans
• Oatmeal
• Peas
• Potato
• Rice (cooked)
• Strawberries
• Watermelon (seedless)
• Yogurt

Foods to Never Feed Your Cat

When you are considering what people foods to offer your cat, it is critical to know what foods are highly toxic and dangerous to cats. Foods that should never be given to cats include:

• Alcohol
• Bones
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Grapes
• Fat trimmings
• Macadamia nuts
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Raisins
• Raw dough
• Seeds/Pits
• Sugar-free gum or candy

In addition to these specific foods, no foods that are infused with THC are ever safe for cats, no matter what the dosage or concentration. Similarly, despite the common assumption to the contrary, cats should never be offered milk or cream, as adult cats are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest milk.

Offering People Foods to Your Cat

No matter what people foods are safe for your cat, it is best to only offer new foods as a small taste at first to see if the cat enjoys the food and whether or not the treat creates any digestive difficulty or allergic reactions. People foods should represent no more than ten percent of your cat’s daily caloric intake, and cat food meals should be adjusted for people treats to keep your cat’s diet balanced and the cat at a healthy weight. Take care to note if your cat has a habit of counter surfing, and keep nut and candy dishes well out of reach of any grazing feline. Also be care not to drop food on the ground during meal preparation, and clean up any spills right away.

A varied diet will provide more thorough nutrition for your cat, and will help alleviate finicky eating behavior as your cat learns to enjoy different tastes and textures. By knowing what people foods cats can eat, you can include your feline friend in your own favorite foods without any guilt or problems.