Foods Toxic to Cats: What Never to Share and What to Do in an Emergency
Cats are picky eaters, but they still get into dangerous foods. Here is what to keep out of reach and how to respond if your cat eats something toxic.
The foods most dangerous to cats are onions, garlic, chives and leeks, chocolate and caffeine, alcohol, raw yeast dough, and grapes and raisins, with xylitol products a sensible thing to keep away too. Cats are especially sensitive to the onion family, even in cooked or powdered form. If your cat eats something on this list, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
One non-food hazard belongs at the top of any cat safety list: lilies. Even a small exposure to true lilies or daylilies, including pollen or vase water, can cause kidney failure in cats.
This article is general information and not a substitute for your vet’s advice.
Toxic foods for cats at a glance
| Food | Why it is a problem | Possible signs |
|---|---|---|
| Onions, garlic, chives, leeks (raw, cooked, powdered) | Damage red blood cells; the ASPCA notes cats are more susceptible than dogs | Vomiting, drooling, then weakness, pale gums, fast breathing |
| Chocolate, coffee, tea, energy drinks | Contain theobromine and caffeine | Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, fast heart rate, tremors, seizures |
| Alcohol (drinks, some desserts, sauces) | Cats are very small and very sensitive | Vomiting, wobbliness, depression, breathing problems |
| Raw yeast dough | Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol | Bloating, discomfort, signs of alcohol poisoning |
| Grapes and raisins | Linked to kidney damage in dogs; the ASPCA advises keeping them away from all pets | Vomiting, lethargy, changes in urination |
| Xylitol (sugar-free gum, some baked goods, toothpaste) | Known to be dangerous to dogs; keep away from cats as a precaution | Vomiting, weakness, wobbliness |
| Raw meat, raw fish, raw eggs | Can carry Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria | Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy |
| Milk, cream, ice cream | Many adult cats lack enough lactase to digest milk sugar | Diarrhea, gas, stomach upset |
The onion family: the hidden risk in leftovers
Onion and garlic are in many foods people do not think of as “onion”: gravy, stock, soup, baby food, pizza, pasta sauce, deli meat and seasoned chicken. A cat that licks a plate or steals a bite of seasoned meat can be exposed. Damage to red blood cells may not show for several days, so call your vet even if your cat looks normal after eating something seasoned.
Is milk bad for cats?
Milk is not poisonous, but it often causes diarrhea and stomach upset. Cats do not need milk once weaned. Fresh water and a complete and balanced cat food meet their needs. If you want to treat your cat, choose a cat-specific treat and keep treats to a small share of daily food. Our guide to wet vs. dry cat food explains everyday feeding.
What about tuna and other “cat foods”?
Plain cooked fish or meat in a small amount is not toxic, but a diet based on human tuna or meat is not complete and balanced, and canned tuna for people is not formulated for cats. Keep it as an occasional treat, without oil, salt, onion or garlic, and talk to your vet before changing your cat’s diet.
Lilies and other plants
Lilies are not food, but they cause many serious cat poisonings. According to the ASPCA, lilies of the Lilium and Hemerocallis (daylily) groups, including Easter, tiger and stargazer lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats from small exposures. The safest approach is to keep these plants out of any home with a cat, and to check bouquets before bringing them inside. See our full guide to plants toxic to cats and dogs.
What to do if your cat eats something toxic
- Remove the food and keep your cat in one room so you can watch it.
- Note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when. Keep the packaging or a photo of the label.
- Call right away: your vet, an emergency clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, open 24/7 (a consultation fee may apply).
- Do not try to make your cat vomit. Veterinary references warn that hydrogen peroxide, often suggested online, can seriously harm a cat’s stomach. There is no safe home method for cats.
- Do not give milk, oil or food unless a vet tells you to.
- Follow the advice you are given, and bring the packaging to the clinic.
Emergency signs: go to a vet now
- Seizures, tremors or collapse
- Open-mouth breathing or breathing difficulty
- Repeated vomiting
- Pale, gray or yellow gums
- Hiding and refusing food after a known or suspected exposure
- Drooling, pawing at the mouth or a swollen face
- Producing little or no urine
Simple prevention habits
- Cover pans and put leftovers away right after meals; cats jump onto counters.
- Keep coffee, tea bags and energy drinks out of reach.
- Do not leave alcoholic drinks unattended at parties.
- Check bouquets for lilies before they enter the house.
- Keep medicines in closed cabinets; human pain relievers are among the most dangerous items for cats.
Bottom line
Keep onions, garlic and anything seasoned with them, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, raw dough, grapes and raisins away from your cat, and never bring lilies into a cat household. If your cat eats something risky, skip home remedies and call your vet or poison control right away.
FAQ
Can cats eat a little garlic?
It is best to avoid it entirely. Cats are particularly sensitive to the onion family, and effects can add up with repeated exposure.
My cat licked chocolate. Is that dangerous?
Many cats ignore sweets, but chocolate contains compounds that are toxic to cats. Call your vet or poison control with the type and amount so they can assess the risk.
Is cooked chicken safe for cats?
Plain, boneless, unseasoned cooked chicken in small amounts is generally fine as a treat. Avoid skin, bones and anything cooked with onion, garlic or heavy seasoning.
Why shouldn’t I make my cat vomit at home?
Products sometimes suggested for dogs can injure a cat’s stomach, and some substances cause more damage coming back up. Only a veterinarian should decide whether and how to do it.