Homemade diets

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: October 24, 2016
What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?
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Many of the foods we humans eat regularly are also suitable for cats. However, one basic premise that should always be observed is that these foods should not be raw or overly seasoned. Salt, sugar, pepper, vinegar and various other condiments are harmful to your cat's health. Even if your cat loves a particular seasoning, you shouldn't share that kind of dish.

Once that warning's been made, the truth is that sharing a human diet with a cat is actually quite easy. Continue reading this AnimalWised article to learn what human foods can cats eat.

Contents
  1. Can cats eat meat?
  2. Can cats eat cured meats?
  3. Can cats eat fish?
  4. Can cats eat vegetables?
  5. Can cats eat fruit?

Can cats eat meat?

The healthiest meat for cats is chicken - and it also happens to be a big favorite. Turkey is also good for cats. If you want to make your cat a homemade diet based on meat products, you should know that the best way to give your cat meat is boiled or roasted, without any oil. It is also advisable to completely remove bones, especially small ones. The skin should only be given to cats if they are malnourished.

Boiled chicken broth is strongly discouraged, because it is often cooked with leeks and other food that is harmful to cats. If your cat eats the meat that comes from the broth - which it will happily do - it will cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Rabbit and ground beef are acceptable for cats to eat; liver, if they like it, will provide lots of iron. On the other hand, pork doesn't sit too well with them, especially the fattier parts.

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat? - Can cats eat meat?

Can cats eat cured meats?

Cats lovecured meats, but you have to restrict how much and how often they eat them because they contain excessive amounts of salt or pepper. The most suitable cured meats for cats are sliced turkey and ham, both low in salt if possible. Although cats love them, cured meats should only be given on occasion.

Salami, chorizo and salted ham are big favorites, but they shouldn't be given to cats. As a last resort option, if you have run out of cat food you can give your pet a Frankfurt sausage.

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat? - Can cats eat cured meats?

Can cats eat fish?

The healthiest fish for cats are of the white and boneless kind. Salmon and trout are good, while tuna and sardines are also recommended because they contain Omega 3 and Omega 6 which are good for your cat's fur.

Fish should never be canned, as the oil and salt content are not suitable for cats. Therefore, you should always boil the fish or get rid of the oil on the plate before feeding it to your cat. Smoked fish is not suitable, even though cats like it a lot.

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat? - Can cats eat fish?

Can cats eat vegetables?

Potatoes and carrots are good for cats, which is why they are also on the list of human foods that cats can eat. The best way to feed them to your cat is to make a pie made of ground beef or poultry mixed with boiled potato and egg. If you add chicken liver, it will be a delicious and fresh dish for your cat. However, you should only give them part of the pie - freeze the rest in daily portions.

Pumpkin, peas and lettuce are good in small quantities, because sugar is not suitable for a cat's diet.

Cats are carnivores and generally use plants to help ease digestion. Therefore, even plants that are not harmful to cats should be given in moderation.

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat? - Can cats eat vegetables?

Can cats eat fruit?

Fruit contains a lot of sugar, so cats should only eat them in small amounts. You can give your cat melon and watermelon cut into small pieces so it can hydrate during the summer. Strawberries are also suitable for cats to eat.

Felines can also eat apples, pears and peaches, but in small quantities.

What Human Foods Can Cats Eat? - Can cats eat fruit?

As always, make sure you're familiar with the best diet and the nutritional requirements for your cat at every stage of its life.

If you want to read similar articles to What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.

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2 comments
Paula
Therefore, you should always boil the fish ...
The best way to feed them to your cat is to make a pie made of ground beef or poultry mixed with boiled potato and egg...

Isn't this a bit crazy? Has anyone ever seen a cat boiling fish and potatoes for dinner? Cats eat raw prey, period. And they don't usually hunt cows. Unless they are lions or tigers.
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Paula,

Thank you for your question. In the wild, cats will eat raw prey. However, food prepared for human consumption is often given additives, preservatives and additional ingredients which make them more palatable for their tastes. These can include oils and fats which are not healthy for your cat. Boiling means you don't have to add any fat to cook (as you would with frying)m but it also sterilizes the food from additives which might negatively affect your cat's health. Maybe it seems overly cautious to you, but it's just a way of safeguarding their health.
Dah
Cats can't eat food with oil, but in another article (how to prepare homemade food gor cats), in the recipe it says to use olive oil. :/
Administrador AnimalWised
Hi Dah,

Cats can eat a small amount of olive oil. In fact, it can be good for them, as long as they don't eat too much and have too much vegetable fat which will be counterproductive.
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What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?