Key takeaways:
Many human foods and beverages are poisonous to cats, including alcohol, chocolate, grapes, garlic, and onions.
Signs of food poisoning in cats are typically digestive or neurological. Common symptoms include seizures, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Call your veterinarian, a pet poison helpline, or an emergency animal hospital if your cat eats something poisonous.
Giving your cat treats made for felines is one thing. Giving your cat treats made for humans is another. Many people foods, like grapes and chocolate, are poisonous to cats. These foods can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. And as a good pet parent, the last thing you want is to make your fur baby sick.
Below, we discuss common human foods — and household items — that are poisonous to cats so that you can be sure to keep them away from your pet.
Quiz: What human foods are safe for cats?
11 foods poisonous to cats
Here is a list of 11 human foods and beverages that can harm your cat.
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1. Alcohol
As much as you may enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, avoid sharing it or any other alcoholic drink with your cat. Alcohol consumption in cats can cause:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Breathing issues
Stumbling
Trembling
Coma
Death
2. Chocolate
It’s well known that chocolate is bad for dogs, but it’s also poisonous to cats. Substances in chocolate called methylxanthines — which include caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline — are what makes it dangerous for felines.
Signs that a cat has eaten chocolate include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive peeing
Weakness
Hyperactivity
Tremors
Coma
3. Coffee and tea
Like chocolate, coffee and tea also contain methylxanthines that can make cats sick with diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
Great balls of fur: Hocking up hair balls occasionally is normal for cats. But three or more hair balls a year could mean there’s a problem.
Cutting cat claws: Read how one pet mom figured out the best strategies for trimming her cat’s claws.
Fungal fighter: Fluconazole (Diflucan) is used to treat fungal infections in cats, but it can cause serious side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Coconut water
Coconut water is high in potassium. Too much potassium can make your cat sick and cause muscle weakness, depression, and life-threatening irregular heart rhythms.
5. Garlic and onions
These flavorful foods contain sulfoxide and disulfide compounds that can be toxic to cats. Whether they’re fresh, cooked, or crushed, garlic and onions can cause gastrointestinal upset, fatigue, and excessive thirst in your cat. This goes for other allium plants, too, like chives and leeks.
6. Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins may be a healthy snack for you. But for cats, nibbling on these tasty treats can cause kidney failure.
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7. Milk
As kittens age into adulthood, some become lactose intolerant. That means milk and other dairy products can upset their tummies and cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Raw milk is also something to avoid, as it can contain diseases (like bird flu) that can harm your cat.
8. Nuts
Because of their high oil and fat contents, nuts aren’t a good snack for your kitty. Nuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis in cats.
9. Raw meats and eggs
Raw meats and eggs can contain Salmonella and E. coli bacteria, which are harmful to cats. Also, raw eggs contain avidin, an enzyme that can lower biotin (a B vitamin) absorption. This can affect your cat’s skin and coat health.
10. Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that’s added to products such as gum, candy, and baked goods. You may also find xylitol in some peanut butters and other products, like medications for humans. While xylitol doesn't seem to be as toxic to cats as it is to dogs, it’s still best to keep your cat away from this potential poison.
11. Yeast dough
Yeast dough can rise in your cat’s stomach, creating gassy discomfort. It can also cause their stomach to twist, which is life-threatening in cats. In addition, yeast produces the alcohol ethanol, and all alcohol is harmful to cats.
Symptoms of food poisoning in cats
Signs of food poisoning in cats vary depending on the substance responsible for the poisoning. But food poisoning in cats often results in digestive or neurological symptoms.
Symptoms of feline food poisoning include:
Fatigue
Stumbling
Drooling
Heavy breathing
Diarrhea
Seizures
Vomiting
How to keep your cat away from poisonous foods
Keeping your cat away from poisonous foods can be tricky. Cats are curious critters and prone to getting into things. These tips can help you protect your cat from eating something they shouldn’t:
Store your food in pet-proof containers.
Throw food away in pet-proof trash cans.
Keep pantry and cabinet doors closed or secured with childproof locks.
Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or pots and pans uncovered.
Clean your plates after meals.
What should you do if your cat eats poisonous food?
If you believe your cat ate something poisonous, get help immediately. You can go to a veterinary emergency clinic. You can also call your veterinarian or one of these pet poison helplines for guidance:
Call the ASPCA Poison Control Helpline at 1-888-426-4435.
Call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661.
Don’t try to make your cat throw up or manage the toxin on your own.
What other items are poisonous to cats?
Besides certain human foods, many other household items can be poisonous to cats. Common examples are:
Insecticides
Household cleaners
Garden products like fertilizers
Frequently asked questions
Homemade cat foods are probably not the best for your cat. These recipes don’t always have the right proportions of nutrients. Raw pet foods can also make your cat sick. You’re better off feeding your feline store-bought, nutritionally balanced cat food.
It’s not a good idea to give your cat table scraps. Throw-away morsels can contain excess fat that can cause stomach upset and seasonings that are poisonous to cats.
Homemade cat foods are probably not the best for your cat. These recipes don’t always have the right proportions of nutrients. Raw pet foods can also make your cat sick. You’re better off feeding your feline store-bought, nutritionally balanced cat food.
It’s not a good idea to give your cat table scraps. Throw-away morsels can contain excess fat that can cause stomach upset and seasonings that are poisonous to cats.
The bottom line
Giving a cat treats is a pet owner’s delight. But if you give them some of your food, keep in mind that your cat may get sick. Human foods like chocolate, grapes, garlic, and onions (among others) are poisonous to cats and could cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.
If your cat shows signs of food poisoning, take them to the vet immediately or call a pet poison helpline. Your cat will have a better chance of recovering if they’re treated right away.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2017). Xylitol: The sweetener that is not so sweet for pets.
Animal Welfare Victoria. (2020). Human foods to avoid for cats.
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2024). Avoid a catastrophe: Foods that spell trouble for your cat.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About pet food safety.
Constable, P. D. (2018). Disorders of potassium metabolism in cats. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Cornell Feline Health Center. (n.d.). Poisons.
Cornell Feline Health Center. (2017). Feeding your cat.
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. (2019). Department of Animal Science – Plants poisonous to livestock.
Cortinovis, C., et al. (2016). Household food items toxic to dogs and cats. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Hilton, J. W. (1987). Carbohydrates in cat diets: Digestion and utilization. Canadian Veterinary Journal.
Keller, N. (2014). Household toxins: Dogs and cats. Veterinary Information Network.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Keep your dogs and cats safe from holiday hazards.
Wismer, T. (2018). People foods to avoid feeding your pets.
