The Complete List of Foods That Cats Can Eat

Have you ever thought about sharing your food with your cat? Some human foods are harmful to animals, but there are a few human foods that cats can eat.

Here is the complete list of foods that cats can eat:

  1. Fish
  2. Vegetables
  3. Meat
  4. Cheese
  5. Bananas
  6. Pineapple
  7. Pears
  8. Melons
  9. Apples
  10. Berries
  11. Eggs
  12. Grains

Keep reading for an in-depth look at these foods and the benefits they can have on your cat.

1. Fish

Fish is an excellent source of vital omega-3 fatty acids, which can promote joint, brain, and eye health. Eating fish and shrimp can also combat heart and kidney problems in your feline and promote a healthy fur coat. Cats tolerate fish very well. However, cats should avoid raw fish such as sushi.

Freshly caught fish is best to feed your cat. Mackerel, tuna, and shrimp are excellent seafood options to feed your cat.

Boil the fish and cut it into bite-sized pieces. If you don’t have time to cook it, canned fish works fine, as long as it’s canned in water and not oil of any kind. Fish is an excellent addition to a cat’s diet, and it works as a great treat as well.

2. Vegetables

Vegetables are an excellent addition to a cat’s diet, although they aren’t necessary. Vegetables are naturally rich in fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive system, and they can be an excellent treat for your cat.

Many vegetables are safe for your cat to eat. Check out the following list for some veggies you can feed your cat:

  • Asparagus
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Green Beans
  • Carrots
  • Pumpkin
  • Celery
  • Lettuce
  • Cucumber

Now that you know some appropriate vegetables to feed your cat, check out this table for a more in-depth look at these fresh treats:

  Spinach Cucumber Celery
Health Benefits Rich in Vitamin E and Magnesium Source of Vitamin K and minerals Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Promotes kidney health and function.

How to serve Serve fresh in small doses.

Do not serve to cats with urinary or kidney issues.

Should serve it thinly sliced. Should serve fresh.
Table #1 – This table contains the type of vegetables (spinach, cucumber, celery) which cats can eat.
 
  Green Beans Carrots Pumpkin
Health Benefits Good source of protein and iron.

Promotes healthy joints and bones.

Great source of Vitamin K, antioxidants, and fiber.

High in beta carotene.

Excellent source of multiple vitamins, and high in fiber.
How to serve Should serve fresh or frozen. Should serve fresh or frozen. Should serve fresh or as pure pumpkin puree. Should wash thoroughly and serve fresh in bite-sized pieces.
Table #2 – This table contains the type of vegetables (green beans, carrots, pumpkin) which cats can eat.
 

3. Meat

Cats love meat, and it’s a staple in their diet because it promotes overall health and muscle strength. If you want to feed your cat some human food, meat is a great place to start.

Opt for fully-cooked meat, and avoid foods that are high in sodium. Chicken, turkey, and beef are excellent protein sources for your cat.

You should serve meat to your cat in moderation and pay attention to the sodium content. These high-sodium treats can be a great occasional treat for your cat.

Meat and chicken are types of foods that cats can eat
Meat and chicken are types of foods that cats can eat

4. Cheese

Cats can eat cheese. However, you should only serve it in small portions because their stomachs can’t handle dairy. Cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, which promotes strong bones and joints. It’s a tasty treat that many cats enjoy so that you can share a slice or a cube with your kitty.

5. Bananas

Bananas make an excellent treat for your cat. Bananas have a high fiber concentration, and they are rich in potassium, which can help regulate digestion and energy. However, bananas are fruits and they contain a lot of sugar.

Veterinarian Richard Walther, DVM from Petco advises cats eat fruit only in small amounts because it can “cause diabetes if given in large amounts.” So cats should eat bananas in careful moderation.

6. Pineapple

A pineapple is a citrus fruit that many cats enjoy. In addition to being a sweet treat, it’s high in vitamin C and additional minerals that keep your cat healthy. Peel the pineapple, remove any tough pieces, and cut it into bite-sized pieces before serving it to your cat.

Like bananas, pineapples are naturally high in sugar, so you should only give them to your cat every once in a while.

7. Pears

Pears are pomaceous fruits rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory power. Be careful serving pears to your cats because you must remove the seeds. Pear seeds have cyanide in them, a chemical compound that is deadly to cats.

After removing the seeds, cut them into bite-sized pieces and serve them to your cat in moderation. Like most fruits, pears are high in sugar, so your cat shouldn’t eat them often.

8. Melons

Melons are a fruit group that has many health benefits for cats. They are a low-calorie water-based food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Many melons are high in Vitamins A, B, and C, promoting a healthy immune and reproductive system. Always remove the seeds and skin when you feed your cats any type of melon.

Here’s a list of some melons your cat might enjoy. Remember, melons are high in sugar, so serve them to your cat in small doses.

  • Watermelon
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Cantaloupe

9. Apples

Apples are a universally healthy fruit, and cats can reap the same benefits as humans when eating apples. Apples are an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants, and they contain a plethora of vitamins that can help lower the risks of various diseases.

Like pears, apples also have cyanide in them. So be careful to remove the seeds before feeding the fruit to your cat. Cut the apples into small slices and serve them to your cat in small portions as a treat.

10. Berries

Berries are outstanding fruits to serve your cat because they are rich in antioxidants and low in sugar when compared to other fruits. Check out these berries that your cat might enjoy.

  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cranberries
  • Raspberries

Now that you know what kind of berries your cat can eat, check out this table to see the benefits of these low-sugar fruits:

Strawberries Blueberries
1. Rich in Vitamin C and other minerals such as potassium.

2. Great source of fiber.

3. Promotes a healthy immune and digestive system.

4. Serve fresh or frozen in bite-sized portions.

1. High in vitamin C and  rich in antioxidants.

2. Blueberries help lower inflammation and can reduce urinary problems in cats.

3. Serve fresh or frozen in small amounts.

Table #1 – This table contains the type of berries (strawberries, blueberries) which cats can eat.
 
Cranberries Raspberries
1. Excellent source of Vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system.

2. High in fiber and other minerals.

3. Serve fresh or cooked. Avoid serving packaged dried cranberries as they contain high amounts of sugar.

1. High in fiber, which promotes digestive health.

2. Low-sugar fruit. Raspberries help lower inflammation and promote joint health.

3. Serve fresh or frozen in small amounts as it contains ingredients that can be harmful to cats when consumed in high doses.

Table #2 – This table contains the type of berries (cranberries, raspberries) which cats can eat.
 
Strawberries and Raspberries are type of fruits that cats can eat
Strawberries and Raspberries are type of fruits that cats can eat

11. Eggs

Eggs are great for cats because they are a fantastic source of protein and promote good muscle health. Serve eggs fully cooked because raw eggs are harmful to cats.

In fact, eggs contain taurine, which is an essential ingredient associated with maintaining your cat’s healthy heart and eyesight.

12. Grains

Grains are a significant food group, and they contain many foods that your cat can eat.

  • Rice: You can serve your cat brown rice to help promote digestive health
  • Oats: You can feed your cat fresh oats or oatmeal. They are high in protein and fiber.

Your cat might enjoy these other grains as well:

  • Barley
  • Millet
  • Corn
  • Wheat berries

Questions and Answers

Can Cats Eat Fruit?

Yes, cats can eat fruit but it depends on the type of fruit. The above-listed fruits are safe for cats to eat. Other than this, take care when giving your cat fruit. Since many fruits are naturally high in sugar, it’s probably best not to give them a huge amount.

Are Cats Carnivores?

Yes, cats are carnivorous animals. They don’t require vegetables in their diet. However, if you want your cat to benefit from having a bit of variety in their diet, it certainly does them no harm to give them vegetables. In fact, in some cases, it can boost their health enormously.

Thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed reading this article, you may want to checkout Cats Vomiting Foam Causes, Treatment and Prevention Tips. In addition to reading about How To Tell if Cat is Sick – 10 Alarming Signs & Symptoms.

Sources

M.D Mark D. - Healthline Gate Health and Medical Articles Author

About The Author

M.D Mark D. is a Health and Wellness professional writer. Mark has authored many health articles around the following topics: Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Pets Health, Mental Health, Medicine, and Supplements.

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