Food safety · Cats
What Can Cats Eat? Safe and Toxic Foods, A to Z
Cats aren't small dogs: some foods, like onions and garlic, are even more dangerous for them. Each verdict here is written for cats specifically, with the reasons and what to do if your cat already ate it.
Educational information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or ate something worrying, call your veterinarian or a pet poison line now. Emergency steps.
5 of 5 foods
- Can cats eat chocolate?Toxic — do not feedNo. Chocolate contains methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine), which the ASPCA warns can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures in pets.
- Can cats eat garlic?Toxic — do not feedNo. Garlic is toxic to cats, the species most susceptible to Allium poisoning according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.
- Can cats eat grapes?Toxic — do not feedNo. Keep grapes away from cats.
- Can cats eat onions?Toxic — do not feedNo. Onions are especially dangerous for cats.
- Can cats eat milk?CautionDespite the classic image, milk isn't a good drink for cats. The ASPCA explains that pets don't have significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so milk and other dairy can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset.