Which food can and cannot be safely consumed by your cat

Which food can and cannot be safely consumed by your cat

Some pet owners suggest that cats should avoid the same foods as dogs. However, because of their different metabolism, there are certain foods that are not suitable for cats that a dog could cope with. Some of the products on this list may seem obvious, but accidents happen, and it’s important to take precautions, so your cat does not eat them by mistake.

A list of Food that cats should not consume!

1) Canned tuna (for human consumption)

Many canned fish can cause a shortage of nutrients that are important for your cat such as taurine.

1) Food for dogsIf your cat repeatedly finds its way into a bowl of dog food, it can lead to malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart and other body parts. It can also cause digestive problems. You can try to prevent your cat from eating dog food by placing it somewhere that is not available to the cat.

2) Grapes, raisins, and currants

These substances contain a  toxin, which is known to damage the kidneys. Even small quantities can be toxic.

3) Onion and garlic (raw, cooked or powdered)

Similar to Grapes this food contains a substance that is toxic to your cats. While not deadly in very small quantities and often used as a natural anti worming additive the large quantities used in human food can cause major problems, so avoid feeding at all costs.

4) Raw eggs

Eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which reduces the absorption of biotin. This can lead to skin and hair problems. They can also contain bacteria called Salmonella, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

A list of people’s regular food that cats can eat

1) Peanut butter

Peanut butter is one of the best foods that cats can eat. Natural, preservative-free, safe and tasty for cats. Most of them are very fond of it, so it can be used to hide medicine drugs or for an occasional taste.

2) Cheese

Like humans, cats love cheese. Be careful with lactose intolerance – a common phenomenon in humans that affects most cats. Feed cheese only in moderation

3) Yogurt

Yogurt is filled with nutrients and especially probiotics, which are healthy for your digestive system. Give your cat a simple, natural yogurt but again due to lactose intolerance ensure that this is only given as a treat in small quantities.

4) Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the safest fruits for cats. In fact, any melon is safe for cats to eat in moderation. Avoid mixing watermelon with other fruits.

5) Salmon

Salmon is not usually consumed by cats, but this does not mean that cats can’t enjoy this as a treat! Salmon contains a lot of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that will help your cat maintain a healthy immune system, skin and coat. The important thing to note is that as fish doesn’t contain much if any taurine this should only be given as a treat! Large quantities of any fish could  again as it’s a fish ensure this is given as a treat.

If your cat feeds on fish in large quantities, it can also lead to a deficiency of thiamine, leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases – death.

6) Rice

Rice is another safe human food that can be eaten by cats. They shouldn’t get too much of this as cats can’t easily break down carbohydrates, but this may be what your cat needs if he/she has stomach problems. White rice is the way to go when it comes to cats because it’s easier for them to digest.

7) Carrots

Carrots are not like typical cat food, but chances are that your pet will like them. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium. Try to soar or grind them to see what your cat loves most.

8) Meat

If you are a cat owner, you probably realized that cats love meat. Chicken, turkey, fish, beef, you name it, they like it.

Whatever you choose to feed them, make sure that it is bone-free and completely cooked. It is also better to feed cats with organic meat, which does not contain preservatives or additional ingredients. And as always ensure this is given as a treat in addition to complete food.

9) RAW Chicken with bones

The first thing you are probably going to ask is WHAT? Can my cat eat chicken bones?!? I thought bones are dangerous for them! This statement is correct for cooked bones but raw bones or a totally different story.

Ensure that under no circumstance you use cooked, semi cooked or otherwise altered chicken as the safety of your cat depends on only using fresh raw chicken.

Cats are after all carnivores and wild cats made due through chasing and eating prey.

While this isn’t the same with domesticated cats. Their anatomy is the same as their wild counterparts and thus are capable of eating bird carcasses without problems. In fact if your fur-friend has access to the outside world the may already have devoured a pigeon or similar without your knowledge. 😉

Author Bio
My name is Harper Wilson, editor of Playwithmeow! I joined Play with meow to express my love for cats. Furthermore, I want to share my experience of taking care of cat’s to all pet lovers around the world.

Follow me on Twitter: @haper_wilson

Don't miss out!
Subscribe To Newsletter

Receive top cat news, competitions, tips and more!

Invalid email address
Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.

20 thoughts on “Which food can and cannot be safely consumed by your cat

  1. IreneDesign2011 says:

    I agree with mostly here, but not with feeding our cats with raw chicken bones. There are so much illness, like Salmonella etc. in raw chicken, that we risk to feed our beloved pets with. No, this is not a good idea.

  2. PaulSeesTheWorld says:

    When I make certain things my cat goes a little crazy and one of those things is peanut butter sandwiches. You justified why! The other thing my cats just loves (she plays with them then eats them) is peas. I’ve seen them in cat food too.

  3. Pingback: Which food can and cannot be safely consumed by your cat | Over 50's News UK

  4. Pingback: Which food can and cannot be safely consumed by your cat - Baptize A Cat?

  5. Pingback: Which Food Can and Cannot Be Safely Consumed by Your Cat | Animals are Wonderful

  6. helentastic67 says:

    There are so many things Jamima would try to steal from me. Salty goodness, and saucy things. She loved to clean plates that had contained pasta and minestrone. Yes, still miss my fur-baby! Cheers,H

  7. Pingback: Safe & Unsafe Foods for Cats – Jeanne Foguth's Blog

Why not meow a comment to fellow readers?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.