Cats are experts at looking hungry while you eat. Cats are meat eaters, and most human food doesn't meet their needs, so the safest treat is usually a few of their own biscuits. But some foods are dangerous for cats, and a few hide in everyday places like a stew, a hot cross bun or a bunch of flowers. The checker below sorts common foods into three groups so you can decide in a few seconds.
Tap a food to see what vets and welfare groups say.
Call the vet foods can poison a cat, sometimes in tiny amounts, and signs can be delayed. If your cat has eaten one, phone your vet straight away and don't wait for symptoms. Best skipped foods aren't always poisonous, but they can upset the tummy, carry germs or add lots of fat and salt, so there is no good reason to hand them over. Small treat foods are usually fine when they are plain and tiny, and they count towards the day's food allowance.
Onion, garlic, chives and leeks are toxic to cats fresh, cooked or dried, and they can cause anaemia (too few healthy red blood cells). That means the gravy, the stew and the garlic bread are not safe bonuses. Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant that cats clear from their bodies slowly, so even a small piece is a reason to call. Grapes, raisins and currants can cause kidney failure, so hot cross buns and fruit cake count.
Alcohol and caffeine are dangerous in small amounts, and that includes cream liqueurs, teabags and coffee grounds. Raw bread dough swells in the stomach and makes alcohol as it rises. Xylitol, a sweetener in some sugar-free gum and sweets, is a risk to pets too, so read the label on anything sugar-free. And although it is not food: lilies are very toxic to cats, and every part of the plant is a danger, including the water in the vase. If you get flowers, check them for lilies before they come indoors.
If your cat eats something from the "call the vet" list, ring your vet straight away, even if they seem fine. Don't try to make them sick yourself.
These are the questions owners ask most. Milk: most cats can't digest lactose well, so cow's milk can cause an upset tummy, and the RSPCA says it isn't a substitute for water. Cats need clean water available all the time. Tuna: a small amount is unlikely to hurt, but tuna made for people can be salty and high in mercury, and it can add weight, so it shouldn't be a regular treat. If you want to give fish, Cats Protection suggests asking your vet first, then keeping it cooked, boneless and small. Dog food is made for dogs, so it is not a good regular meal for a cat. Cats have different nutritional needs, so keep their bowl for cat food.
Stay calm and move the rest of the food out of reach. Phone your vet or an emergency vet and tell them what was eaten (the packet or ingredients help), roughly how much, and when. Take the packaging with you if you're asked to come in. The vet decides what happens next. Please don't try to make your cat vomit at home. This guide can't tell you whether a particular amount is safe, and neither can a quiz. Only a vet can.
A simple routine beats a long list: check the food in the checker or ask your vet, give a tiny plain piece only if it's on the treat list, and keep everything else out of reach. Use treats for play and training sessions so they come with attention, which cats value as much as the snack.
Welfare groups don't always agree on every borderline food, so when sources differ we go with the more careful advice.