What Can My Cat Eat?

Thinking of sharing a meal with your kitty? You might want to ensure that the food from your plate is safe for your cat to consume. To serve as guidelines, Petsy has compiled a list of foods that are and aren't okay for your little one to consume.

Although, we will recommend you to consult a vet before making any changes in your cat's diet since all cats are different and they need different food as per their diet requirement.

What can my cat eat?

Meat: 
The protein from meat helps cats have healthy hearts and reproductive systems, as well as good eyes. When feeding your cat cooked meat, make sure there aren’t too many spices, and always ensure the meat is fully cooked! Also, never serve the meat bone-in. Small bones can be choked on, so be sure to carefully examine and cut up all meat before serving it to your pet.

• Chicken (The best!)
• Liver
• Lamb
• Lean Deli Meats
• Cooked Eggs
• Salmon
• Turkey
• Fish: Your cat will flip for a fish treat, but make sure to only give it in small quantities. Too much fish can have an impact on your cat’s Vitamin E.
• Cooked Salmon/Tuna
• Canned fish
• Fish oil (In small quantities, fish oil can help your cat’s dry skin during winter)

Vegetables:
Like humans, fresh veggies are great for cats. They have lots of vitamins and fiber, which can aid general health and digestion. Many cats don’t like vegetables, but if your cat does, feel free to let them have some of:

• Pumpkin/Squash
• Peas
• Cucumber
• Cooked or steamed
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Avocados
• Asparagus
• Green Beans
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Fruits:
Some cats don’t enjoy the “sweet” flavor, but if your cat does, you can make some fun treats with fruit! Fruit can also help if your kitty is having digestive issues.

• Bananas (Can be frozen and blended to make a creamy texture)
• Blueberries (Raw or frozen)
• Watermelon/Cantaloupe/Honeydew (No seeds!)
• Peeled Apples

Grains:
Cats are experiencing an obesity problem is common, so make sure not to give your furry friend too much of these high-carb foods! However, a little bit as a treat every once in a while is okay!

Some cats won’t like to eat certain grains or foods, so try giving them a sample before giving them a full snack.

• Cooked Corn/Polenta
• Couscous/Millet 
• Carrots
• Bread/Breadcrumbs
• Oatmeal (Plain oats are high in protein!)

Dairy:
Dairy foods can generally be eaten by cats, but as they age cats may become lactose intolerant. Make sure to give any dairy foods to cats in small amounts.

• Hard Cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda, etc.)
• Low Lactose Cheeses (Cottage Cheese)
• Yogurt (Plain, Low-Fat)

What my cat shouldn't eat?

After covering a list of foods that your cat can eat, it's necessary to know about a few items that your cat shouldn't consume to maintain their general health.

• Garlic/Onions
• Coconut Milk
• Alcohol
• Caffeine/Coffee
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Seeds
• Raw Fish
• Bread Dough
• Nuts
• Chocolate
• Cooked Bones
• Milk
• Chives
• Candy/Gum
• Human Medications/Supplements
• Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Petsy says..

• Make sure to slowly introduce any new foods to cats to ensure that you don’t disturb their diet plan with a new food item that they aren’t used to.
• If you are considering a raw meat diet because of its health benefits, consult a veterinarian beforehand.
• If you are using human food as a treat for your cat, make sure to only give your cat about 20 calories a day, so they won’t start to gain excess weight. 
• These general food guidelines apply to most cats but always keep a check on them to see if it’s a good fit for your cat.