Every pet owner can relate to that moment when they are enjoying a bowl of ice cream and their cat shows up to beg for a lick. You may feel like a bad pet parent when you don’t give into your beloved feline. However, in many instances you’re doing Fluffy a favor. The truth is that while many human foods are perfectly safe for kitties; others are hazardous or even toxic for cats. Plus, overfeeding table scraps can lead to obesity, and feline diabetes. 

Let’s review the top safe and unsafe foods for cats:

1. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine; these can both be potentially dangerous to cats. The symptoms that will tell if your cat has ingested chocolate can include vomiting, a high body temperature, diarrhea, rigid muscles and/or increased reflexes, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, or becoming comatose. If you believe your cat has ingested chocolate seek veterinarian help immediately.

2. Garlic and onions
Although garlic is considered a superfood for humans, garlic and onions are no friend to cats. In fact, ingesting just a small portion of garlic or onion can cause organ damage or failure, which can lead to death.

3. Grapes and raisins
Many pet owners question why grapes (or raisins) are poisons for cats, but veterinarians warn that if a cat, dog, or ferret consumes grapes or raisins it may cause sudden kidney failure.
Never allow your cat to have a grape or raisin no matter how much they might beg.

4. Potatoes
Potatoes and other starchy foods should be on the “do not eat” list for cats. Starchy foods are hard on humans, but cats’ stomachs simply can’t process them properly.

5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are too acidic for cats. They can cause upset stomachs, vomiting, and diarrhea.

6. Caffeine
Caffeine is not something one normally thinks of giving their cat but, just in case, don’t let your cat lap up coffee or any baked good that contains caffeine based. This is because their small bodies are unable to process caffeine like humans, often leading to symptoms of elevated heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, hyperactivity, vomiting, and seizures. 

7. Unsalted canned fish
Canned fish, particularly tuna, has properties that can decrease inflammation, improving your cat’s health. If your cat begs for scraps, this is one of the many foods they can have as long as it’s unflavored and unsalted.

8. Skinless chicken breast
Chicken breast is fine to feed cats, as long as it’s unflavored. To prepare chicken for kitty, boil it in a pot of water until it’s no longer pink through the middle.

9. Cooked Eggs
Fully cooked eggs are a wonderful and healthy treat for cats. The yolk in particular provides a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals in your cat’s diet. 

10. Pumpkin
If your cat is overweight or experiencing constipation, you might want to add some pumpkin to their daily meal. Plain pumpkin contains healthy fiber for cats.