What Can’t Cats Eat? 12 Toxic Foods to Avoid
Cats are famously picky, but that does not keep them safe — onion and garlic hide in countless human foods, and cats are far more sensitive to them than dogs. These are the human foods most dangerous to cats. A curated reference, not an exhaustive list.
Updated 2026-10-05.
| Item | Severity | Toxic compound | Key symptoms | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chocolate | ⛔ Unsafe | Theobromine, caffeine | Vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, tremors | Check → |
| Onion | ⛔ Unsafe | Organosulfur compounds | Anemia, weakness, pale gums | Check → |
| Garlic | ⛔ Unsafe | Organosulfur compounds | Same as onion | Check → |
| Onion powder | ⛔ Unsafe | Concentrated organosulfur compounds | Same as onion | Check → |
| Grapes | ⛔ Unsafe | Tartaric acid (suspected) | Vomiting, lethargy, kidney risk | Check → |
| Caffeine | ⛔ Unsafe | Caffeine (methylxanthine) | Restlessness, rapid heartbeat, tremors | Check → |
| Alcohol | ⛔ Unsafe | Ethanol | Vomiting, disorientation, coma | Check → |
| Raw eggs | ⛔ Unsafe | Salmonella; avidin blocks biotin | Vomiting, diarrhea, skin and coat problems | — |
| Raw bread dough | ⛔ Unsafe | Ethanol from fermentation | Bloating, alcohol poisoning | — |
| Green potatoes | ⛔ Unsafe | Solanine | Stomach upset, lethargy | — |
| Wild mushrooms | ⛔ Unsafe | Various toxins (e.g. amatoxins) | Vomiting, jaundice, liver failure | — |
| Excessive salt | ⛔ Unsafe | Sodium | Vomiting, tremors | — |
Severity matches the verdict on each food’s full Eaoae check. This is a curated reference, not an exhaustive list — when in doubt, ask before sharing.
Important: this list is for reference only and is not veterinary advice.
If your cat may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately.
