Sharing is caring, right? And who better to share with than our feline fur friends! Cats as we know have a distinct taste for meat since they’re obligate carnivores–i.e. eating meat is a necessity for survival. However, there are some human foods you can share with your cat. Just be sure to skip on the sweets, because not only do they not have a taste for it, it could contain dangerous ingredients like xylitol that can have fatal consequences if ingested. Fun fact: cats do not have the ability to detect the taste of sweets. Now if only that was true for me…
What’s the most purrfect part about this list? Most of these you can find already in your pantry or fridge! Check out our fun list of 7 human foods you can share with your cat:
1. Salmon
Okay, so this one you’re definitely going to find in your refrigerator, not the pantry. This pink fish is jam-packed with healthy Omegas and minerals that will fuel your brain–and your kitty’s, too! Just be sure to remember to serve your cat some cooked salmon, not raw.
2. Spinach
This leafy green isn’t just for Popeye my cat lover friends! Your cat can have some spinach in small amounts and it will provide them with an excellent source of Vitamins A, C, K, iron and calcium. But if your cat has a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones, please avoid giving them spinach as it’s not an ideal human treat to share with them.
3. Chicken
This tempting meat treat is sure to satisfy your cat’s meat tooth! If preparing this for them especially, remember to go easy on the spices as this could upset their delicate digestive tract.
4. Bananas
This easy-to-eat peel treat is loaded with potassium and super easy to share with your cat. Just peel it back and serve your cat some fresh banana–meow! As an added bonus, the soft texture of the banana itself is ideal for older cats or kitties that suffer from dental issues.
5. Eggs
This product for your feline friend is a great source of protein, iron and other key minerals. Just scramble them up and serve them to your cat as a special treat to share. Important: do not serve your cat raw eggs as this puts them at direct risk for salmonella and E. coli.
6. Cheese — But Only Certain Varieties
If you’re going to share cheese with your cat, you must be sure that it’s a variety that their digestive system can handle. (Hint: soft cheeses like brie are a no-go.) Also, you must be mindful of the amount you serve your lucky kitty. Cheese is a purrfect source of both calcium and protein for your cat, and some cat-approved options are cottage cheese, Swiss, cheddar or gouda. Remember, cheese is high in fat and salt content so portion control should be practiced when sharing this human food with your cat.
7. Cucumbers
Forget that silly cucumber challenge from years past that still makes my cat lover’s skin crawl, cucumbers when served in pretty slices can serve as a nice treat for your cat. Cucumbers contain an abundant amount of water, so they are great to hydrate them–especially on a hot summer’s day! Word of advice: only serve your cat 1-2 slices due to the high water content.
While the human foods on this list have been deemed as “safe” in small quantities, there are several foods that can seriously harm your precious cat should they be ingested.
According to WebMD, here’s a short list of foods to AVOID serving your kitty cutie:
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions and garlic
- Macadamia nuts
- Bread dough
- Alcohol
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar-free gum and candy
Always play it safe when it comes to your cat. If you’re not sure, then don’t share as a rule of thumb. For a list of more foods you can share, check out this article on WebMD. And remember, all calories count towards your cat’s daily caloric intake–even those human food treats!
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP, MICROCHIP YOUR PETS & SPAY AND NEUTER!
Related Article: Poisonous Foods For Cats
Related Video: Trying To Eat with a Cat Around!
I had a Birman cat who loved to play and eat green olives with the pimento in it. He did not eat the red but would toss that olive around, put it in his paws and hold it up in the air, played some more then ate it. Never seemed to hurt him. I have always wondered how safe it was to give him one…Can you tell me if it was OK?…he lived to be over 15 years old.
Google would know =)
Our cat loves cooked beetroots, corn on the cob and grilled pumpkin. We cannot eat that stuff without her around. ?
What about tuna ?
Some tuna now and then probably won’t hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won’t have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
I’ve had cats who love cantaloupe, fresh green beans, V8 juice, or orange juice. Are any of these a problem?
Please check with your vet and/or check online specifically but I can’t imagine the acids in OJ and possibly the V8 would be good for cats.
We once had a Siamese whose view on food was that if people eat it, she would eat it. She liked potato chips.