Cats are obligate carnivores, so the safest people food is plain, cooked meat or fish with nothing added. A few vegetables and fruits are fine as tiny extras. Keep all treats under 10% of daily calories.
Safe as a treat
| Food |
Verdict |
Why |
| Carrots |
Safe |
Yes, cooked and cut small. Carrots are one of the vegetables vets list as a safe treat. |
| Chicken |
Safe |
Yes. Plain, thoroughly cooked chicken with no bones, skin or seasoning is a safe treat. |
| Cucumbers |
Safe |
Yes. A few small pieces of washed cucumber are a safe, watery treat. |
| Turkey |
Safe |
Yes. Plain cooked turkey meat, with no skin, bones or seasoning, is fine as a treat. |
| Salmon |
Safe |
Yes, cooked and plain. Raw fish is not a good idea for cats. |
| Green beans |
Safe |
Yes. Plain green beans are on the vet list of safe vegetable treats. |
| Fish |
Safe |
Yes, if it is cooked, plain and boneless. Raw fish is best avoided. |
Only a little, with care
| Food |
Verdict |
Why |
| Eggs |
Small amounts |
Cooked egg is the only option to consider; raw eggs are a no. |
| Bananas |
Small amounts |
A small piece now and then. Bananas are safe but high in sugar. |
| Cheese |
Small amounts |
A tiny piece is tolerated by some cats, but most adult cats are lactose intolerant. |
| Watermelon |
Small amounts |
A little seedless flesh is fine. Remove the rind and seeds. |
| Yogurt |
Small amounts |
Plain yogurt in a very small amount may be tolerated by some cats. |
| Tuna |
Small amounts |
Only a little, once in a while. Tuna made for people should not be a regular part of a cat's diet. |
| Coconut |
Small amounts |
A very small amount is unlikely to cause harm, but it can upset the stomach. |
| Peaches |
Small amounts |
A small piece of peeled flesh is fine. Never the pit, stem or leaves. |
The three rules
- Plain and cooked. No skin, bones, fat, salt, butter, onion or garlic. Cooking kills bacteria and destroys thiaminase in raw fish.
- Small. Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories. Each food page shows that budget in grams for small, average and large cats.
- One at a time. Introduce one new food and watch for vomiting or diarrhea.
Sources: Embrace Pet Insurance, "7 Foods You Can Share With Your Cat" (Chyrle Bonk, DVM, updated Apr 10, 2025); VCA Animal Hospitals, "Can You Feed Pets Certain Fruits and Veggies?"; PetMD, "Human Foods That Are Dangerous for Cats" (reviewed by Nicole Silva, DVM).
