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Human Foods Cats Can Eat
✓ Vet-referenced✓ Sources citedUpdated 2026-10-10
These 37 human foods are safe for cats in treat-size amounts. Start with the top 10 below, then browse by food group.
Top 10 human foods for cats
- 🥩 Beef: High-quality protein, iron and zinc
- 🫐 Blueberries: Antioxidants
- 🥦 Broccoli: Fiber and antioxidants
- 🍗 Chicken: Lean animal protein
- 🥒 Cucumbers: Hydrating (about 95% water)
- 🥚 Eggs: High-quality animal protein, which suits obligate carnivores
- 🫛 Green Beans: Very low in calories
- 🥬 Lettuce: Hydrating and very low in calories
- 🫛 Peas: Fiber and some plant protein
- 🎃 Pumpkin: Soluble fiber can help both constipation and loose stool
Fruits
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🍎 Apples | In moderation | 4 × small piece of apple (1/16 of an apple) | Not toxic (flesh only) |
| 🍌 Bananas | In moderation | 8.5 × 1/4-inch banana slice | Not toxic to cats |
| 🫐 Blueberries | Safe | 43 × blueberry | Antioxidants |
| 🍈 Cantaloupe | In moderation | 13 × small cube of cantaloupe | Hydrating |
| 🥭 Mango | In moderation | 13 × small cube of mango (1/2 inch) | Not toxic |
| 🍍 Pineapple | In moderation | 8.5 × small piece of pineapple | Not toxic to cats |
| 🍒 Raspberries | In moderation | 26 × raspberry | Fiber and antioxidants |
| 🍓 Strawberries | In moderation | 26 × quarter of a strawberry | Not toxic to cats |
| 🍉 Watermelon | In moderation | 5 × 1-inch watermelon cube | Hydrating |
Vegetables
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🥦 Broccoli | Safe | 13 × small steamed broccoli floret | Fiber and antioxidants |
| 🥕 Carrots | In moderation | 13 × teaspoon of cooked carrot | Not toxic to cats |
| 🌽 Corn | In moderation | 13 × 5 cooked corn kernels | Not toxic |
| 🥒 Cucumbers | Safe | 26 × thin slice of peeled cucumber | Hydrating (about 95% water) |
| 🫛 Green Beans | Safe | 13 × cooked green bean (cut up) | Very low in calories |
| 🥬 Lettuce | Safe | 26 × small piece of romaine lettuce | Hydrating and very low in calories |
| 🫛 Peas | Safe | 13 × 5 cooked green peas | Fiber and some plant protein |
| 🥔 Potatoes | In moderation | 6.5 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato | Plain cooked potato is not toxic |
| 🎃 Pumpkin | Safe | 13 × 1 teaspoon plain canned pumpkin | Soluble fiber can help both constipation and loose stool |
| 🥬 Spinach | In moderation | 26 × 1 teaspoon chopped cooked spinach | Vitamins A, C and K |
| 🍠 Sweet Potatoes | In moderation | 5 × 1 teaspoon mashed cooked sweet potato | Fiber and vitamin A precursors |
Meat, fish & eggs
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🥩 Beef | Safe | 2 × 1 teaspoon cooked lean ground beef | High-quality protein, iron and zinc |
| 🍗 Chicken | Safe | 2 × tablespoon of shredded cooked chicken | Lean animal protein |
| 🥚 Eggs | Safe | 1 × tablespoon of plain scrambled egg | High-quality animal protein, which suits obligate carnivores |
| 🐟 Salmon | Safe | 2.5 × 1 teaspoon flaked cooked salmon | High-quality protein |
| 🐟 Sardines | Safe | 4 × quarter of a sardine (canned in water) | Omega-3s for skin, coat and joints |
| 🦐 Shrimp | Safe | 3.5 × cooked medium shrimp | Lean, high-quality protein |
| 🐟 Tuna | In moderation | 1.5 × tablespoon of canned tuna (in water) | High-protein, strong-smelling treat cats love |
| 🦃 Turkey | Safe | 4 × 1 teaspoon shredded cooked turkey breast | Lean, high-quality protein |
Dairy
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🧀 Cheese | In moderation | 6.5 × pea-sized piece of cheddar (1 g) | Protein and calcium |
| 🥛 Yogurt | In moderation | 8.5 × teaspoon of plain yogurt | Less lactose than milk |
Grains, beans & snacks
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🍞 Bread | In moderation | 2.5 × small piece of plain bread (1/8 slice) | Plain bread is not toxic |
| 🥣 Oatmeal | In moderation | 6.5 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal | Fiber and some protein |
| 🍝 Pasta | In moderation | 6.5 × piece of plain cooked pasta (penne) | Plain pasta is not toxic |
| 🍿 Popcorn | In moderation | 26 × piece of plain popcorn | Plain popcorn is not toxic |
| 🍚 Rice | Safe | 6.5 × teaspoon of cooked rice | Easy to digest when cooked |
Other foods & treats
| Food | Verdict | Max per day (10 lb cat) | Why |
|---|
| 🥥 Coconut Oil | In moderation | 5 × 1/8 teaspoon coconut oil | Not toxic |
| 🫒 Olive Oil | In moderation | 5 × 1/8 teaspoon olive oil | Not toxic |
Looking for what to avoid? See foods cats can't 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 human food can cats eat every day?
Small amounts of plain foods such as beef, blueberries, broccoli, chicken can be given daily if they stay within the 10% treat allowance and your cat tolerates them.
What is the healthiest human food for cats?
Lean, plain cooked proteins and low-calorie vegetables are among the best choices. Plain cooked chicken, turkey and fish are the best fit for a carnivore.
Sources