What Human Food Can Cats Eat image

10 Human Foods That are Safe for Your Cat to Eat 

Running out of cat treats and cat food? Don’t know what to serve your little one? Don’t worry! Here is a list of human foods that people can serve to their pretty felines. These good varieties are a great source of necessary nutrients and can cure the hunger pangs of your feisty little friend. But one has to take necessary precautions while serving these food items to cats. That is because cats can digest only some particular food items. People must be careful in the meal preparation for cats to provide them with essential nutrients without causing unnecessary allergies or diseases. Thus it is necessary to know which food items one can give to their pets. Well, what human food can cats eat? Precisely to answer that question, here we are.

What Human Food Can Cats Eat?

There are many common food items that one can let their dear cats have a bite from. Not only are they a good source of required nutrients, but they are also easily available in grocery stores.So, take a look at what human foods can cats eat:

#1 Eggs

Many vets consider eggs to be a good source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamin B for felines. Thus, a lot of common brands of cat food use eggs as the main ingredient. But one must remember to cook eggs before feeding the cat since raw and uncooked eggs can induce the growth of E.Coli, a deadly bacteria that grows in a cat’s gut.

#2 Cheese

Cheese is a great source of calcium, fat, and protein. Not only humans can consume them to become healthy, but cats can also. Moreover, people can give cheese to their felines in various forms. However, some cats may be lactose intolerant, and thus, they should not be fed cheese.

#3 Bananas

Now, these fruits are rich in potassium, fiber, and carbohydrates easing digestion in felines. Thus, pet owners can include bananas along with other edibles and make treats. But since they are high in sugar, it is best to give these to cats in small amounts with an adequate duration between meals.

#4 Meat

Meat is perhaps the most common food ingredient which goes into making cat foods. But apart from cat foods, an individual can also serve meat in other ways to their dear kitty. Almost all the common varieties of meat are safe for cats, provided it is cooked thoroughly and contains no seasonings. Moreover, properly cooked meat is a great source of protein and fat for a feline. 

#5 Spinach

Except for those cats that are prone to kidney stones, other felines can happily munch on spinach. Regardless, it is a great source of vitamins, minerals, iron, and folic acid. Furthermore, one can feed this item to their cats in the form of purees, small pieces, or mashed to make a tasty meal for them.

#6 Oatmeal

Oatmeal can be a great meal rich in fiber, vitamins, zinc, and other nutrients. Besides, felines can feed on them in multiple ways. However, it is best to serve it without extra sugar or sweeteners. Along with milk, berries, and bananas, to add richness, one can serve oatmeal to their kitties. So, when it comes to the question, ‘what human food can cats eat?’, oatmeal can be one item.

#7 Apples

An apple contains high amounts of vitamin C and fiber. So, without any more delay, simply dice an apple into small pieces and serve them to your feline. But it is imperative to remove its peel before feeding it to the cat. The peel can prove harmful to the feline, and therefore, one must avoid it.

#8 Bread

Bread is a very common food item often served to cats. One can have various varieties of bread to feed the cat. Those varieties can range from whole wheat to multigrain, from loaf to brioche. Regardless, bread is a multipurpose food item with great benefits for felines. Hence, when the question arises, ‘what human food can cats eat daily?’, this one comes into the picture.

#9 Pumpkin

Cats can happily enjoy mashed and pureed pumpkins. A pumpkin is a good source of vitamins and fiber, along with other healthy nutrients. It is also a versatile food item that greatly goes with other ingredients. Pumpkin is favorable for the digestive system of cats and can cure constipation and other stool-related issues in them. 

#10 Salmon

Loaded with protein and omega-3 fatty acids, salmon can become a favorite treat for your cat. Nevertheless, most cats have a natural instinct to hunt for fish and enjoy them merrily. Thus, many cat food brands include salmon in their recipe. Anyways, cook and cure the salmon thoroughly before serving it to your pet. So, if your question is, ‘what kind of human food can cats eat?’, you can undoubtedly include salmon. 

Human Food to Avoid while Feeding your Cat

While people can easily serve certain food items to cats, they must take severe measures to avoid other food items. It is because they can lead to toxicity and allergies in kitties. Furthermore, they can prove fatal to your pet cat. So take a look at these options below and avoid them in a cat’s diet:

#1 Tuna

Can cats eat fish? Well, they can eat only some kinds. While it is one of the most commercialized food items, cats should never consume tuna. So, if you ask, ‘is tuna fish good for cats?’ we say no. It can be a source of mercury poisoning in felines. Moreover, tuna can deprive a kitty of many other nutrients which aren’t present in it. At the most, it can be a reason for obesity and cholesterol in these pets.

#2 Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, grapes, etc., are not good for felines. Since these fruits cause allergies and lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and an upset stomach in cats, it is best to avoid them. Furthermore, acids present in such fruits can prove to be harmful to your furry buddy.

#3 Xylitol

This particular food item comes into use as a sweetener in many canned and processed food items like candies. Xylitol’s characteristics cause vomiting, liver failure, toxicity, and many other serious complications in cats. Thus, remove this one too from your cat’s diet list.

#4 Caffeine

In simple words, many vets consider caffeine to increase blood pressure in cats. And that can lead to short breaths, palpitations, shocks, and restlessness in cats. Thus, avoiding coffee, tea, aerated beverages like coca-cola, chocolates, and other food items containing caffeine is best for cats.

#5 Raw, Uncooked Meat

While cooked meat is an acceptable food source for cats, raw, uncooked meat can lead to many issues in cats. Additionally, such uncooked meat can prove to be harmful. It can lead to various gut bacteria, which can upset the stomach and prove fatal for kitties.

#6 Onions and Garlic

Raw, cooked, powdered, or dehydrated garlic and onions can affect a cat’s red blood cells and cause nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and other stomach-related problems in them. Onions, garlic, and other members of the allium family, such as chives and leeks, can induce anemia in cats leading to other complications.

What Human Food Can Kittens Eat?

While many human food options can prove to be nutritious to cats, the same cannot be the case with kittens. These fragile babies have tiny, delicate stomachs and are prone to many infections and allergies. It is, therefore, necessary to be very selective in serving them with human foods. We can serve them with only a few options. And such options available to kittens, therefore, are limited compared to adult cats. Read on to know them:

  • In case of kittens, foods that can be served easily include scrambled eggs cooked well without any seasonings or added items.
  • Well, cooked fish varieties like trout and salmon are also great options. However, one must cook and cure them thoroughly.
  • When it comes to vegetarian alternatives, cooked broccoli, squash, pumpkin, lettuce, and peas can be a great source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and iron for your furry friends.
  • Cooked whole grains, which are easy to digest, and without any spices, are also a great source of fiber, proteins, and carbohydrates for the kittens.

Conclusion

While it is always best to serve cats and kittens the respective cat food which is available in the market, there might be situations when the same isn’t available to them. In such a scenario, some varieties of food options available to human beings can work as great alternatives. The above information gives you all an idea on the best human food for cats. But one has to consider the biological needs of felines, the anatomical differences between cats and humans, and the possibilities of allergies that might occur from certain food items. Nevertheless, it is always best to avoid spices, oils, processed items, caffeine, and alcohol at all costs since they are fatal to cats and kittens.

FAQs

Can a cat eat raw chicken?

No. Raw and uncooked meat (be it any variety) can carry the risk of salmonella infections as well as problems caused by E.Coli bacteria in cats. Therefore cats should never consume raw chicken or any other meat variety in raw form.

Should I serve dog food to my cat?

Dog food can be a good emergency food alternative to cats when there is no cat food available to you. However, go with these as only a one-time thing. Dog food has a different composition and has nutrients that only dogs can digest and require. So, if your question is ‘can cats eat dog food?’, we say it is ok for only 1 time.

Can a cat drink milk?

Cats should not drink milk since they are naturally lactose intolerant. Their body stops producing lactase once they grow up. This reduces their ability to digest lactose which is present in milk. It is therefore advisable to serve them alternatives to milk, like soy and almond milk which do not have lactic acid.