What Human Foods Can Cats Eat: 15 of the Best

Cats can eat many more human foods than you might think, but most of them do fall into the realm of ‘healthy eating’, as you shouldn’t be sharing highly processed foods with your cat. It’s also worth remembering that there are many human foods your cat should never eat, but let’s take a look at the healthiest human foods your feline is likely to enjoy.

Salmon is one of the healthiest human foods there is so it’s no surprise that it’s just as good for your cat. As a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, there are few felines who can resist its strong fishy flavour, which is why it is often a key component in cat food.

Although humans will sometimes eat salmon raw, it’s important that you only give your puss a portion that’s been cooked to ensure it’s totally safe. If you would prefer, you can also buy salmon cat treats, like the Rosewood Salmon Crunchy Cushion Cat Treats that will give your cat the benefits of the fish without any of the cooking or cleaning up.

As well as eating salmon, many humans supplement their diets with fish oils, which are known to support healthy skin and improve heart health, amongst other benefits.

A lot of pet owners give fish oil to their dogs to improve the shine of their coat, but many people are unaware that you can also supplement a cat’s diet with healthy fish oils, such as salmon and cod liver.

Doing so will not only prove to be a tasty treat for your furry friend, but it will also help to keep their coat healthy and shiny and prevent dry skin, particularly in the cooler months.

If at all possible, you should try to find fish oil supplements that are made from wild-caught fish, as these will contain the highest-quality fatty acids.

You may enjoy a healthy plate of scrambled eggs for breakfast or a boiled egg or two as a quick snack, but if you haven’t also been treating your kitty to an egg, you’ve been missing a trick.

Of all the human foods cats can eat, eggs are one of the best. Not only are they completely safe for your cat to consume once cooked, but they are also an eggcellent source of B vitamins and protein, which is why many commercially-available cat foods contain eggs.

Can cats eat vegetables? You bet they can, and spinach is one of the best as it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins, A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. If you’re looking for a cat-friendly treat, spinach is hard to beat, which is why it is found in a number of high-quality cat foods and treats.

It is important to note, however, that if your cat has suffered from calcium oxalate bladder stones in the past, spinach is probably not suitable due to its high calcium content. If you’re unsure, speak to a vet first, as the health and wellbeing of your kitty is of paramount importance.

Chicken makes up a significant part of many human diets, and it can be the same for cats, with lots of cat foods containing chicken as a key ingredient.

Cats are carnivores, which means your kitty needs a diet that’s rich in meat and it’s fair to say that chicken is one of the healthiest types of meat for humans and kitties alike.

A great source of lean protein, your kitty will devour any chicken you offer, just make sure it’s been thoroughly cooked with the skin removed before feeding it to your cat.

Of all the human foods cats can eat, cantaloupe probably isn’t the first, second or even fifteenth that crossed your mind, but a lot of felines go wild for the stuff! But that’s definitely not a bad thing, as it contains high levels of antioxidants and beta-carotene, which can help to maintain good eye and skin health.

Another fruit that cats can eat without worry is the fruit bowl staple, the banana. Most of us have a banana or two lying around, which could be good news for a hungry cat looking for a new snack.

Just make sure you don’t feed them too many, because although they provide lots of healthy potassium and fibre, they are also pretty high in natural sugars, so you should aim to make bananas no more than 5-10 percent of your kitty’s daily calorie intake.

Just like their nemesis the mouse, cats can enjoy cheese from time to time providing they are not lactose intolerant.

Hard cheese like Gouda or Cheddar types are typically better for cats because they contain a large amount of calcium and be used to create cat biscuits, as well as being fed in small cubes. Obviously, cheese is also high in fat, so you should not overindulge your kitty with the stuff, no matter how sweetly they meow at you.

If you were wondering if cats can eat pumpkin, you’ll be happy to hear that, yes, they can enjoy this Autumn treat… although maybe not in the form of your favourite pumpkin spice latte!

In fact, many cat foods contain pumpkin because it is so good for them. As well as being low in calories, it contains a high amount of fibre and is great for treating cats who have problems going to the toilet (although you should always see a vet if this is the case!).

You’ll be pleased to know that everybody’s favourite hot breakfast is totally safe for cats to consume. What’s more, it’s a great source of B vitamins, iron and zinc and will give your cat a dose of slow-release energy to keep going all day, just as it does with you.

However, it’s important to only feed your cat porridge made with water rather than milk and ensure it has cooled sufficiently before offering it to your kitty. And although you may enjoy a warming bowl of porridge every day, you should only feed it to your cat as an occasional treat.

When it comes to what can cats eat that is healthy, cheap and also loved by humans, peas are a pretty good answer. Packed with vitamin C and bursting with fibre, peas are completely safe for kitty cats to consume and are very often found in cat food.

They can also be a real treat when they’ve been freshly cooked from the garden, so don’t be afraid to offer your kitty one if they show an interest.

Like chicken, turkey is an ideal lean protein for cats. It’ll need to be cooked before you give it to them, but they’ll devour it in no time, meaning your beloved kitty can join in with your Christmas dinner (just hold off on the Christmas pudding!).

You might be surprised to know that, in small quantities, bread is safe for cats to enjoy. As a great source of fibre and protein, bread can add a little bit of variety to your cat’s diet.

So next time you’re making yourself a chicken or turkey sandwich, you can let your cat join in on the feasting too!

Another fruit bowl staple, apples are a great cat-friendly treat that your kitty is sure to love. Not only will they give your cat a boost of vitamin C and fibre, which will help to keep them healthy, but it will also provide a new taste sensation to enjoy – just make sure you remove the skin before feeding to your feline friend!

Blueberries may not be the cheapest of treats, but if you have some you’re willing to share, your cat will be a grateful recipient.

Blueberries are a great source of vitamins C and A and can sometimes be found in certain cat foods. In the summer, some cats will delight in munching on frozen blueberries, but you shouldn’t give them more than a few if you want them to be a healthy treat and not an overindulgence!

As you can see, it is totally possible to treat your cat to a wide range of human foods, and they will certainly enjoy the variety in their diets, but it is important to note that you should do so with caution.

When you introduce new foods into your cat’s diet, it could lead to a gastrointestinal upset, simply because they are not used to eating that particular food. This can lead to you feeling bad or thinking that you’ve fed your cat something unsuitable, but, chances are, you’ve just given them too much too soon.

If you want to treat your kitty to human foods, you need to introduce them gradually, starting with the tiniest amount and then increasing it incrementally.

It is important to note that you should limit the number of treats you give your cat in addition to their normal diet.

Ideally, treats should add up to no more than around 20 calories, which would be a couple of teaspoons of salmon, a similar amount of chicken or 20-25 blueberries. As you can see, that probably means that fruits and vegetables are a better source of human foods for your cat to enjoy, but switching it up and offering them a variety will see your cat get the most nutritional benefit overall.

If you do notice that your cat is starting to gain weight due to their consumption of human foods, you may need to cut back a little. You won’t necessarily have to remove them from their diet, but maybe half the amount and see how they go.

If you want to feed your cat the healthiest diet possible, then explore our range of delicious, nutritious high-quality cat foods to suit every cats’ tastes and requirements.