What Thanksgiving Foods Can Cats Eat?

We all deserve to indulge ourselves, and with so many food options available, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to do it. But Thanksgiving isn’t just about food­—it’s also about family and friends, which for many of us include our feline companions.

If you’re spending this Thanksgiving with cats, you may want to spoil them—but what Thanksgiving foods can cats eat?

Thanksgiving Foods Cats Can Eat

So, what can cats eat on Thanksgiving? In all honesty, the list isn’t very long.

Turkey (Unseasoned and Cooked)

Cats are carnivores, so they need (and love!) a lot of protein in their diet. Therefore, the best traditional Thanksgiving meal for cats will include turkey, of course!

However, any turkey you feed your cat should be unseasoned and cooked. The best way to serve turkey to your cat is to carve out a little white meat from the turkey breast and remove the skin—so you don’t expose your cat to potentially dangerous or even toxic added ingredients like onion or garlic.

Because all human foods are considered treats for cats—and treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily diet—a small piece of turkey (about a 1-inch cube) is sufficient.

If you’re not having turkey, look to whatever animal-based proteins you are planning to serve. The following—as long as they’re plain, unseasoned, and fully cooked—can also be healthy treats for cats:

• Chicken

• Eggs

• Clams

• Beef

• Lamb

• Tuna

• Sardines

• Salmon

Again, cook all raw meat, fish, or poultry before you give it to your cat to reduce the chances of them—or the people around them—becoming sick from food-borne pathogens.

Also, make sure these foods are bone-free. Bird bones, especially, are very fragile and can splinter easily, potentially causing injuries in a cat’s mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, and Yams

Even though cats are carnivores, they can digest carbohydrates, and some cats really seem to enjoy them.

If you’re mashing potatoes or cooking up some sweet potatoes or yams, it’s fine to offer a small amount to your cat—as long as they’re served properly.

Potatoes should be:

• Fully cooked and peeled: Raw potatoes and potatoes with the skin still on contain toxic levels of solanine.

• Plain and unseasoned: Skip the dairy toppings (like butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese), as they can lead to digestive upset, because most cats are lactose-intolerant. Avoid all seasonings—especially onions, garlic, leeks, or chives—as they’re toxic to cats.

Serve your cat a small amount: around 1 tablespoon or one ½-inch cube.

Green Beans 

Another cat-friendly veggie, green beans are a good source of fiber.

They also contain vitamin C and vitamin K, which can help boost your cat’s immune system and improve coat health, among other benefits.  

However, cats should only eat plain, cooked green beans—that means no green bean casserole.

Not only is this popular Thanksgiving side dish typically made with a dairy-based sauce (and most cats are lactose intolerant), but most green bean casserole recipes are also rich in onions (both as a mix-in and as a topping), which can make cats sick. 

Here are some tips for safely preparing green beans for cats:  

• Wash them. It’s best to use fresh green beans. 

• Serve cooked. Steam or boil the green beans. But again, the veggie should be cooked sans seasonings.  

• Cut green beans into small pieces. This helps prevent choking, especially in smaller cats. 

Start by giving your cat one or two small green bean pieces. If your cat tolerates them, you can increase the serving size to a few more pieces.

Thanksgiving Foods Cats Can’t Eat

There are quite a few Thanksgiving foods that can make cats sick.

Anything With Onions, Garlic, Leeks, or Chives

Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives contain sulfur compounds that damage a cat’s red blood cells. These damaged cells die faster than normal, which can lead to anemia (low red blood cell counts) and even become fatal.

Cats who have eaten onions, garlic, leeks, or chives can develop symptoms such as:

• Weakness and depression

• Jaundice (yellowed tissues)

• Dark urine

• Rapid or deep breathing

• Loss of appetite

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

Cats don’t have to eat a lot of these foods to get very sick or possibly die.

Chocolate and Anything Else Containing Caffeine

While chocolate poisoning is more common in dogs, it can also be a problem for cats.

Chocolate contains methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which stimulate the nervous system and heart.

Cats who ingest chocolate or anything that contains caffeine (such as coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks) can develop:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Hyperexcitability

• Seizures

• High heart rate

The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it usually contains, and therefore, the more dangerous it is for cats.

Raw Meat

True, wild cats eat raw meat, but it’s still best if we only offer our furry family members cooked meat. That’s because raw meat is often contaminated with pathogens. Killing dangerous bacteria (such as salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter) and parasites is one of the most important reasons we cook meat.

Common signs of food-borne illnesses in cats include:

• Poor appetite

• Lethargy

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Cats can get sick from eating contaminated raw meat, and even if they don’t, they can still become a source of infections that cause people to become sick.

Alcohol

Alcohol should be completely off-limits to cats. It depresses a cat’s nervous system, irritates their digestive tract, and can alter their acid-base balance.

Some cats may drink an alcoholic beverage right out of the glass or lick it off the floor if it spills. Keep in mind that your cat may ingest alcohol from other sources, including unbaked yeast dough and desserts made with alcohol.

Cats are very susceptible to alcohol poisoning because of their small size and sensitivity to alcohol. If you suspect that your cat has accidentally ingested alcohol, watch for the following symptoms and, if they arise, seek immediate veterinary help:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Increased thirst and urination

• Lethargy and depression

• Unsteadiness

• Disorientation

• Slow breathing

• Tremors and weakness

• Coma

• Seizures

What To Do if Your Cat Eats Toxic Foods

If your cat eats just a small amount of a food that is not considered toxic, you probably don’t have much to worry about. Simply keep an eye on them and call your veterinarian if you notice any symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, or loss of energy.

On the other hand, even small amounts of toxic foods can cause big problems for cats.

Immediately call one of the following if your cat displays signs of toxicity, especially if they have eaten anything containing garlic, onion, chives, leeks, chocolate, or alcohol:

• Your veterinarian

• An after-hours emergency clinic

• The Pet Poison Helpline®: 855-764-7661 (an $85 consultation fee will apply)

• ASPCA® Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply)

It’s also wise to get advice from a veterinarian if your cat has eaten a lot of any new or unusual food.

What To Give Cats This Thanksgiving Instead

Cat Treats

Feeding cats “people food” is always a little risky, so why not just give them something made specifically for them?

Specialty Cat Treats

Thanksgiving would be the perfect time to splurge on some high-end, specialty cat treats, like Purina® DentaLife®.

These tasty cat teeth-cleaning treats are crunchy and have natural ingredients, plus added vitamins and minerals with no artificial colors or flavors.

Savory Lickable Treats

For a delicious, lickable treat, your cat may also like Inaba® Churu® treats.

Available in a variety of savory flavors, these cat treats not only boast high moisture content and low-calorie count, but they’re also free from preservatives and artificial colors.

Turkey Dinner in a Can 

Or how about serving a Thanksgiving dinner for cats? Tiny Tiger™ Turkey and Giblets Recipe is available as a four-pack—but frankly, your cat won’t really care if their special meal contains traditional Thanksgiving ingredients.

Splurge on a can or two of anything extra yummy, and they’ll be thrilled.

For cats with a sensitive tummy, add just a few teaspoons of the new food to their regular diet, like a topper.

Cat Toys

Food isn’t the only (or even necessarily the best) way to show our cats that we love them. A new toy is a great way to celebrate, especially if your cat is on a special diet and can’t eat new treats or foods.

Stick with the Thanksgiving theme with a toy like the Fetch for Pets® Turkey Kicker Plush Cat Toy with Catnip.