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Can Cats Eat This?: Human Foods Pets Can and Cannot Eat

April 01, 2022

Can Cats Eat This?: Human Foods Pets Can and Cannot Eat

What can I give my cat other than cat food?

There are many human foods that are safe for pets to eat, but there are also quite a few that are not suitable for cats.

In this blog post, we will list the human foods that are safe for cats to eat and those that they should avoid.

We will also provide some tips on how to safely introduce new foods to your pet's diet.

Keep in mind that while some of these human foods may be safe for cats, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to their diet.

salmon being sliced

Can cats eat smoked salmon?

Yes, smoked salmon is a safe and healthy human food for cats to eat.  It is a good source of protein and omega fatty acids, which can be beneficial for your cat's skin and coat. 

Smoked salmon is likely to be enjoyed by your cat and may be a nice way to give them a treat on a special occasion.

sliced pepperoni on red background

Can I give my cat pepperoni?

No, pepperoni is not a safe human food for cats. Pepperoni is high in sodium and fat, which can be harmful to cats.

It also contains spices that could potentially be harmful or even toxic to them. For example, if the pepperoni you purchase contains added garlic, this would be an absolute no-no since cats are not able to digest garlic safely.

freshly whipped cream

Can my cat have whipped cream?

Yes, whipped cream is a safe human food for cats. It is high in fat and calories, so it should only be given as an occasional treat and in very small quantities.

Make sure to avoid any flavored whipped creams, as these may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats.

sliced melon

Can cats eat honeydew melon?

Yes, honeydew melon is a safe human food for cats. It is a good source of water and vitamin C, and can be a good way to help your cat stay hydrated in hot weather.

Honeydew melon is likely to be appreciated by your cat, and it's a great way to offer them a reward on a scorching day.

fancy cupcake with icing and sprinkles

Can cats eat icing?

No, unsurprisingly icing is not a safe human food for cats. Icing is usually made entirely or almost entirely of sugar and can cause digestive problems for cats.

It may also contain harmful ingredients such as chocolate or nuts, which can be dangerous for cats to eat.

Icing contains no beneficial nutrients for cats, so it's definitely not advisable to give it to your pet to eat - even if it is their birthday!

fresh prunes in a plastic container

Can cats eat prunes?

Yes, prunes are a cat-friendly human food. They are high in fiber and can help to regulate your cat's digestive system.

Prunes may be an unfamiliar food to your cat, but they are likely to enjoy them if you introduce them gradually.

If your cat suffers from constipation, supplementing their diet with a small amount of prunes may be a helpful natural way to relieve this problem.

Remember to always consult a professional veterinarian before attempting to treat any of your cat's health issues yourself, though.

cake with chocolate fudge dripping on the side

Is cake bad for cats?

While cake is not an inherently harmful food for cats, it does contain a lot of sugar and fat. Too much cake can lead to weight gain and other health problems in cats.

If you want to give your cat a very small piece of cake as a special treat, that may be OK, but make sure it doesn't become a regular habit.

It's best to ensure that any icing or sugary decorative items are removed from the cake before giving it to your cat too.

sliced butter

Can cats eat butter?

No, butter is not a safe human food for cats. Butter is high in fat and can cause digestive problems for cats.

It also contains cholesterol, which can be harmful to their health over time.

There are many other healthier and more cat-friendly food options available that are better for your pet than butter.

bottled ketchup and tomatoes

Can cats eat ketchup?

It's not advisable to give your cat ketchup, even if they seem interested in eating it. Ketchup is high in sugar and can cause digestive problems for cats.

It also contains spices that could potentially be harmful or even toxic to them.

sliced lemons

Can cats have lemons?

Yes, lemons are a safe human food for cats. They are a good source of vitamin C and can help to support your cat's immune system.

Lemons may be an unfamiliar food to your cat, but they are likely to enjoy them if you introduce them gradually.

They may enjoy licking them, but like humans, they are unlikely to want to eat too much all in one go!

freshly baked fluffy biscuits

Can cats have biscuits?

Biscuits are not a safe human food for cats. They are high in fat and can cause digestive problems for cats.

They also contain no nutritional value for cats and may even contain harmful ingredients such as chocolate or nuts.

There are many other healthier and more cat-friendly snack options available that are better for your pet than biscuits.

golden fried chicken

 

Can cats have fried chicken?

No, fried chicken is not a healthy cat food. It is high in fat and can result in stomach issues in cats.

Chicken itself is perfectly fine for cats to eat, but the fact that it is fried in lots of oil makes fried chicken unsuitable for them.

If you want to give your pet chicken, it's best to stick to cooked chicken that has been prepared in a more natural and healthier way.

dog eating ice cream from a cone

Can cats have dog ice cream?

In case you're not familiar with dog ice cream, it's exactly what it sounds like - ice cream that is specially made for dogs. 

Cats may be able to tolerate small amounts of dog ice cream, but it's important to remember that they have a very finely-tuned digestive system. This means that they can easily suffer from digestive issues if they eat something that is not natural for them to consume.

Dog ice cream, whilst designed for pets, may potentially cause your cat issues and should likely be avoided.

bright green pickles

Are pickles good for cats?

Pickles are not a good food for cats. Like pepperoni, they are high in sodium which can cause health issues and even be very dangerous to cats if consumed in large quantities.

If your cat ate too much salty food this could lead to high blood pressure and even salt poisoning.

raw meat on wooden board

Can cats eat raw meat?

Raw meat is a natural food for cats and contains all of the nutrients they need to stay healthy. However, it may also harbor diseases that could make your cat sick.

It's therefore important to make sure that any meat you give your cat is free from harmful bacteria and parasites. This can be done by cooking the meat properly or by feeding your cat commercially-prepared raw meat.

freshly baked pizza

Can cats eat pizza crust?

If you find the crusts often get wasted in your home, it's natural you may wonder if you can put them to good use by feeding them to your cat.

Unfortunately, pizza crust is not a good food for cats. It is high in fat and carbs, and provides no nutritional value to cats.

It's also potentially harmful to them as it may contain unhealthy additives such as salt or sugar.

In this case, it's best to avoid giving it to them and simply throw the crusts in the trash if you can't persuade any humans in your home to eat them!

cat winces while being hand-fed

How to safely introduce new foods to your pet cat

If you would like to introduce a new food to your cat, it's best to do so gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food in with their regular diet and then increase the proportion over time.

This will help ensure that your cat's digestive system has enough time to get used to the new food without any adverse effects.

If your cat experiences any digestive problems after eating a new food, stop feeding it to them and consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to help you identify the cause of the issue and may even have some recommendations for other foods that your cat may be able to eat safely.

We hope you've found this quick guide to some common human foods for cats helpful. If in doubt, remember to always consult a veterinarian to ensure your cat gets the best possible care. 

You may also enjoy reading about the 6 most dangerous foods for dogs.





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