Although sharing is caring, it is important to make sure the people food you share with your cat is safe for consumption. You can even go a step further and choose delicious cat treats that come with the most health benefits.
If you’re wondering what human food cats can eat or you’d like to prepare homemade cat treats, this list by Sploot Veterinary Care goes over the healthiest human food that cats can eat.
What Human Food Can Cats Eat? [The Healthiest Picks]
Cats can eat some human foods safely in moderation. Some of the best options include cooked, unseasoned, and deboned meat like chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as small portions of certain vegetables, like carrots and peas.
Note: The following foods do NOT replace your cat’s nutritionally balanced AAFCO-compliant cat food. These foods, however, can serve as simple homemade treats or cat food toppers. Read on to learn more about the nutritional benefits of each, plus how to prepare these human foods that cats can eat.
1. Cooked, Unseasoned Chicken or Turkey
To kick off this list of healthy human food that cats can eat, we’re starting with the best types of meat for cats: chicken and turkey.
Cooked, unseasoned chicken or turkey are excellent sources of protein for your cat. Aside from protein, cats also derive vitamin B6, selenium, phosphorus, and Omega-6 from these types of meat. Chicken and turkey are also beneficial because they are lean meats with a lower calorie content than beef. For this reason, chicken is one of the most popular ingredients in commercial cat food.
Turkey is usually seen as an alternative to chicken. Even though the nutritional difference between the two is very minimal, chicken has slightly more protein per ounce than turkey.
2. Cooked, Unseasoned Beef
Cooked, unseasoned beef is a rich source of protein for cats. Beef is also an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Thanks to the health benefits it provides, beef is sometimes included as an ingredient in commercial cat food.
3. Cooked, Unseasoned Fish
Cooked, unseasoned fish is a delicious treat for cats. Fish provides protein and omega-3 fatty acids which are great for a cat’s coat and skin. Fish treats are also a favorite of many felines.
4. Sardines, Tuna, & Other Canned Fish [The Right Kind]
Cats can safely enjoy certain canned fish, including sardines, tuna, salmon, and mackerel, as long as they’re packed in water and contain NO added salt, oils, spices, or seasoning. These protein-rich fish in water are also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids for cats, which can help support healthy skin, a shiny coat, joint health, and overall health.
→ Got questions about your cat’s diet? Book a nutritional consultation at Sploot Vets, your all-in-one, Fear Free vet clinic—with locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, &Chicago!
5. Cooked, Unseasoned Eggs
Whether hard boiled or scrambled, cooked eggs can be great for sharing with your cat. Eggs made it to this list of the healthiest human food that cats can eat because eggs are a great source of protein, vitamin D, selenium, and riboflavin.
6. Cooked, Pureed Pumpkin
On this list of the healthiest people food that cats can eat, let’s talk about our first fruit: the pumpkin. When fed to cats in moderation, cooked pureed pumpkin helps with digestion. In fact, pumpkin is particularly helpful for cats with constipation or diarrhea.
7. Cooked, Pureed Broccoli
Next on our list of the most healthy food for cats is broccoli. Cooked pureed broccoli is a safe and healthy treat for cats thanks to its vitamin C, carotenoids, and dietary fiber. Broccoli is also an excellent source of antioxidants for cats.
8. Cooked, Pureed Green Beans
Most cats aren’t really interested in eating greens — but if your cat likes green beans, let them have some! Cooked pureed green beans are low in calories and are a good source of fiber for cats. The high fiber content of green beans means that this vegetable assists with certain digestive issues. Cooked pureed green beans are also an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and iron.
9. Cooked, Pureed Peas
Next on our list of the healthiest human food that cats can eat is pureed peas. Cooked, pureed peas are a rich source of vitamins and minerals for cats, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.
10. Cooked, Pureed Carrots
Cooked and pureed carrots are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene for cats. As one of the healthiest vegetable treats for cats, cooked and pureed carrots are great for a cat's vision, skin, and digestive system.
11. Cooked, Pureed Spinach
Cooked and pureed spinach is a safe and healthy treat for cats. Your cat may not end up as strong as Popeye — but all the same, this vegetable is a great source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium.
→ Got questions about your cat’s nutrition and wellness? Book a vet visit at Sploot Vets, your all-in-one, Fear Free vet clinic—with locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, & Chicago!
12. Cooked Oatmeal
Cooked oatmeal can be a healthy occasional addition to your cat’s diet. It’s rich in fiber, B vitamins, and iron, which can support healthy digestion. You can mix a small spoonful of plain, cooked oatmeal into your cat’s wet food to add fiber and nutrients; this can help alleviate constipation in cats. In addition, cooked oatmeal can serve as a base for homemade cat biscuits (combined with other cat-friendly ingredients).
Important note: AVOID adding sugar, salt, or milk, as these can upset your cat’s stomach. In addition, AVOID adding cinnamon as this ingredient is toxic to cats, even in small amounts.
A Note About Cats as Obligate Carnivores & Feline Allergies
Before feeding your cat any of the above healthiest human food that cats can eat, here are some important notes about a cat’s food preferences and the possibility of feline food allergies.
a. Cats are Obligate Carnivores
Cats fall under the category of true or obligate carnivores. As obligate carnivores, cats require nutrients that are only found in animal flesh. Obligate carnivores are also unable to process raw plant matter because they are unable to break down plant cellulose.
Because cats are obligate carnivores, it means that…
- Cats don’t naturally eat fruits or vegetables. Many cats will actually flat out reject fruits and vegetables — especially raw ones.
- Cats only get health benefits from vegetables or fruits if they are properly prepared. In fact, some brands of cat food contain vegetables as ingredients.
Note: The best way to prepare plant-based items on this list of healthiest treats for cats is to cook and puree the vegetables. These processes help break apart cellulose. This recommendation also applies to fruits like pumpkin and peas. We also recommend that cat parents keep pureed veggie/fruit treats as bland as possible.
b. Food Allergies in Cats
Although all meaty treats may seem safe for cats, some cats have food allergies to certain types of meat. In fact, the most common feline food allergens include beef, fish (or seafood), eggs, chicken or turkey, and dairy (a different condition from feline lactose intolerance). For this reason, it's always best to try new treats in small amounts.
Note: If you would like to learn more about testing a cat for allergies (in a safe and controlled clinic environment), consult your local veterinarian.
Final Thoughts on the Healthiest Food for Cats
We hope you enjoyed our list of the healthiest human food that cats can eat. To conclude this article, pet parents need to be mindful that cats are obligate carnivores. Though they may like the healthy vegetables on this list, the focus of a cat’s diet should always be animal protein. In addition, the treats on this list are NOT meant to replace high-quality commercially available cat food that is nutritionally complete.
For more information on cat nutrition, check out our vet-approved guides:
- 4 Best Cat Food Brands - AAFCO & WSAVA Compliance
- 3 Weight Loss Cat Food [& Weight Care Tips]
- 6 Best Kitten Food for All Breeds: Wet & Dry Food [Vet-Approved]
- 4 Best Senior Cat Foods: Why It Matters & How to Choose
- 5 Best Low Phosphorus Cat Food for Kidney Support
Sploot Vets: All-in-One, Fear Free Cat Vet Care
If you have specific questions or concerns about your cat’s diet and nutrition, we're always here to help! Sploot Veterinary Care is a trusted vet clinic for cats, providing all-in-one veterinary care, with primary care, urgent care, and emergency vet services all under one roof!
We have multiple vet clinics in Denver, Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Colorado Springs. with daily appointment availability and extended vet clinic hours!
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