Cat

Cats are obligate carnivores and rely heavily on animal protein in their diet. Many human foods are not appropriate for cats, and certain ingredients such as onions, garlic, and chocolate can be dangerous.

Apple

Treat

Not required nutritionally, but small seed-free pieces may be offered occasionally.
Apple core

From: Apple

Avoid

Core is not recommended due to choking and seed exposure risk.
Apple flesh

From: Apple

Treat

If offered, use tiny pieces occasionally.
Apple seeds

From: Apple

Toxic

Apple seeds contain cyanogenic compounds and should be avoided.
Apple skin

From: Apple

Treat

Tiny amounts only; peel may be harder to digest.
Banana

Treat

Not toxic, but cats do not need fruit; if offered, give only a tiny amount occasionally.
Beef

Safe

Cooked plain beef can be a suitable animal-protein food for cats.
Beef bones

From: Beef

Toxic

Bones are unsafe due to injury and obstruction risk.
Blueberry

Treat

Not required for cats, but a tiny amount is usually fine occasionally.
Carrot

Treat

Cats may nibble small cooked or finely chopped carrot occasionally.
Cherry

Avoid

Whole cherries are not recommended; stems and pits can be harmful.
Cherry flesh

From: Cherry

Treat

If offered, give only a tiny amount of pitted flesh occasionally.
Cherry pit

From: Cherry

Toxic

Cherry pits are unsafe and should never be fed.
Chicken

Safe

Cooked plain chicken is generally safe and suitable for cats as an animal-protein food.
Chicken bones

From: Chicken

Toxic

Chicken bones are unsafe due to splintering and obstruction risk.
Chocolate

Toxic

Chocolate is toxic to cats. Cats ingest it less often, but exposure can still cause serious illness.
Dark chocolate

From: Chocolate

Toxic

Highly toxic to cats and may cause severe signs even with smaller amounts.
Milk chocolate

From: Chocolate

Toxic

Toxic to cats; ingestion may cause significant neurologic and cardiac effects.
White chocolate

From: Chocolate

Avoid

Not recommended; high fat/sugar and potential cocoa content make it unsuitable.
Lettuce

Treat

Most cats do not need lettuce, but small plain pieces are usually safe occasionally.
Green leaf lettuce

From: Lettuce

Treat

Small plain pieces occasionally are usually tolerated.
Iceberg lettuce

From: Lettuce

Treat

Small occasional pieces are usually tolerated but nutritionally minimal.
Red leaf lettuce

From: Lettuce

Treat

Small plain pieces occasionally are usually tolerated.
Romaine lettuce

From: Lettuce

Treat

Small plain pieces occasionally are usually tolerated.
Onion

Avoid

Cats are especially sensitive to onion toxicity.
Peanut butter

Treat

Not nutritionally needed for cats; if offered, use only a tiny amount and avoid xylitol/sugar-heavy products.
Potato

Treat

Plain cooked potato may be tolerated in tiny amounts; avoid raw/green.
Spinach

Treat

Some cats tolerate tiny amounts of plain spinach occasionally, but it is not necessary.
White rice

Treat

Cats do not need rice nutritionally, but a small plain cooked amount is usually tolerated occasionally.
Yogurt

Treat

Many cats are lactose sensitive. If given, keep portions tiny and plain.
Greek yogurt (plain)

From: Yogurt

Treat

Lower lactose may be easier to tolerate, but still offer only tiny amounts.
Plain yogurt (unsweetened)

From: Yogurt

Treat

If tolerated, tiny amounts only.