At AvoDerm, we believe that maintaining a nutrient-rich diet is the key to a happy and healthy cat. Turn meal prep into bonding time with your friendly feline by stocking up on these healthy human foods that cats can eat.

7 Healthy Human Foods Cats Can Eat

  1. Vegetables
    If you notice your cat chewing on houseplants, they may be in need of more fiber in their diet. Substitute those lush leaves (which may be topped with toxic pesticides) for small portions of baked or steamed vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, asparagus, or squash.
  2. Whole Grains
    Whole or unrefined grains are great human food to give your cat. Unlike refined grains, whole grains contain the full amount of vitamins, iron, and fiber that give them nutritional value. Your cat can enjoy a well-balanced diet of human foods such as oatmeal (with water), maize, and brown rice.
  3. Eggs
    Rich in protein, iron, and other minerals, cooked eggs are a great addition to your feline’s diet. Raw eggs, however, create a risk for salmonella and E. coli, so be sure to thoroughly scramble those eggs before sharing them with your cat.
  4. Cheese
    Much like little humans, many kittens enjoy milk and grow to be lactose intolerant later in life. Still, small amounts of cheese and milk can prove useful in getting a sick cat to take its medicine.
  5. Avocados
    Avocados are not only a tasty and safe human food for cats to eat, but they are also abundant in vitamins A, C, E, and B6—all of which are vital to the health of your cat’s skin and coat.
  6. Meat
    Cats are ‘obligate carnivores,’ meaning that meat is a non-negotiable part of their diet. Keep your cat happy and healthy with hearty meals that include meats like chicken, turkey, and duck.
  7. Fish
    Both cats and dogs only produce a fraction of the omega-3 that they need to maintain a healthy and balanced ratio of fatty acids. Your furry friend can find the right proportions of these nutrients in human foods for cats such as salmon, tuna, herring, and crab.

Human Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cat

While sharing means caring in many human circles, there are a few human foods that cats can’t eat. Genetically, felines lack the taste buds that can detect sugary foods, and many sweet treats are dangerously toxic to them. All forms of chocolate contain a bitter-tasting stimulant known as theobromine, which can cause muscle tremors, seizures, and several serious heart problems for your feline friend. Caffeine, another stimulant, has a similar effect. Keep the cat out of the kitchen while baking or brewing: raw dough can cause pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal issues in cats. Furthermore, alcohol in even trace amounts can lead to severe brain damage or liver failure for a small pet.

Where to Find Human Foods Cats Can Eat

If your feline friend has been experiencing hair loss, coat thinning, dry skin, or other seemingly cosmetic concerns, it may be indicative of a nutrient-deficient diet. Each AvoDerm Natural® pet food product contains a nutrient-rich avocado meal, dried and ground from the pulp of the fruit, and avocado oil as a beneficial source of monounsaturated fats and vitamins. Find healthy and hearty pet food products at our online shop, on Amazon, or through FoodShare by Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation.