Toxic foods (call a vet if eaten)
| Food | Verdict | Main danger |
|---|---|---|
| 🍫 Chocolate | Toxic | Methylxanthines can cause vomiting, a racing heart, tremors and seizures |
| 🧄 Garlic | Toxic | Destroys red blood cells, leading to anemia |
| 🍇 Grapes | Toxic | Possible acute kidney injury |
| 🧅 Onions | Toxic | Damage red blood cells (Heinz body anemia) |
Also toxic but not in our food list: lilies (plants, not food, but deadly), alcohol, raw yeast dough and caffeine.
Risky foods (avoid or limit)
| Food | Verdict | Main danger |
|---|---|---|
| 🌰 Almonds | Caution | Choking and blockage hazard |
| 🥑 Avocado | Caution | High fat can cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis |
| 🥓 Bacon | Caution | High fat can cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis |
| 🧈 Butter | Caution | High fat can cause vomiting, diarrhea or pancreatitis |
| 🍂 Cinnamon | Caution | Cinnamon essential oil can be harmful to cats |
| 🦴 Dog Food | Caution | Too little taurine can cause heart disease (DCM) and blindness |
| 🍖 Ham | Caution | Very high in sodium |
| 🍯 Honey | Caution | Sugar can cause stomach upset and weight gain |
| 🍨 Ice Cream | Caution | Lactose can cause diarrhea and gas |
| 🥛 Milk | Caution | Lactose intolerance causes diarrhea and stomach upset |
| 🍄 Mushrooms | Caution | Wild mushrooms can cause liver failure, seizures or death |
| 🍊 Oranges | Caution | Peel oils (limonene, linalool) can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling |
| 🥜 Peanut Butter | Caution | High fat and calories can cause weight gain and stomach upset |
| 🥜 Peanuts | Caution | Choking hazard |
| 🍅 Tomatoes | Caution | Green tomatoes, leaves and stems contain solanine |
| 🍦 Whipped Cream | Caution | Lactose can cause diarrhea and stomach pain |
What to do if your cat ate a toxic food
- Note what and how much was eaten, when, and your cat's weight.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 · Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.
- Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
📄 Download the free printable poster (PDF)
Want safe options instead? See human foods cats can eat.
The 10% treat rule
Treats, including human food, should make up no more than 10% of a cat's daily calories. The "max per day" column assumes a typical 10 lb spayed or neutered adult cat with no other treats. Each food's guide has a calculator for your cat's exact weight.
Frequently asked questions
What foods are toxic to cats?
Chocolate, Garlic, Grapes, Onions, plus alcohol and raw yeast dough.
What is the most dangerous food for cats?
Onions and garlic (including powders), and to a lesser degree chocolate, are among the most dangerous. Lilies are the deadliest household plant for cats.