Cat Thanksgiving Guide: Safe Thanksgiving Food for Cats

The smell of turkey is in the air! This is the day where all our loved ones come together to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast and celebration, including our cats. It is true that our curious felines might try to join in the Thanksgiving meal or even sneak off with their own Thanksgiving catch when we are not paying attention. However, some Thanksgiving foods are not healthy for cats. This is why it is important that we keep a close eye on them and are mindful of our kitty’s sensitive stomach. Our cats do not share the same digestive system as us humans do, and some foods can be very toxic for our ninja-like furballs. It is alright to give them foods, such as turkey, potatoes, pumpkin, and more in moderation; however, cats should not have any bones, alcohol, fatty foods, or food that contains onion, garlic, or xylitol.

Safe Thanksgiving Food for Cats

As with any tasty treat, it is important that we feed cats human foods in moderation during these special occasions. We also want to remember to proceed with caution before giving our buddy some delicious delicacies. Too much of a good thing, especially in enormous amounts, may lead to obesity and other weight issues, along with their associated health risks, such as diabetes. It is important to limit Thanksgiving treats to no more than 10 percent of your cat’s total daily calorie intake.

The following is a list of Thanksgiving foods that our Purina experts say are ok in moderation for your cat:

• Turkey Meat (no bones, no skin, no seasoning). Overall, turkey can be a tasty treat for your kitty. However, it is important to note that many seasonings are not good for cats, and some seasonings can even be toxic. Furthermore, the bones and skin should be avoided, especially if the skin is cooked in butter or oil. If the turkey has pieces of skin, fat, or seasonings, then this increases the chances of your loved one having pancreatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Furthermore, bones can act as a choking hazard and cause serious health risks, therefore they should be removed first. Remember to make the turkey into plain, bite-sized portions and your cat should be fine. diarrhea, and more. Bones can also act as a choking hazard and can cause serious health risks; therefore, they should be removed first. Remember to cut the turkey pieces into plain, bite-sized portions and your cat should be fine.  
• Pumpkin. Pumpkin is a safe option for cats to eat. If you choose to feed your kitty canned pumpkin, it is important to avoid the sugary or pre-spiced pumpkin pie mixes and stick to just the pure pumpkin purees. Depending on the size of your cat, it is best to limit them to a couple of tablespoons of pumpkin puree so their tummies will not get upset from eating too much.  
• Potatoes & Sweet Potatoes (cooked and no added ingredients or skin). Sweet potatoes are a nice treat to give your cat. Whether you give your cat potatoes or sweet potatoes, you will need to be careful with how these are prepared. If they have a ton of added ingredients, such as the butter, milk, salt, and seasonings we sometimes see in mashed potatoes or French fries, then they are not healthy for cats. Raw potatoes of any kind are also not good for cats since they contain a substance called solanine, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It is also good to remove the potato skins first, as the skin is difficult for kitties to digest and can cause an upset stomach. If the potatoes and sweet potatoes are boiled or cooked without all the extra ingredients added, then they should be a safe snack to feed your kitty cat.  
• Apples. Apples are safe for kitties to eat. While you might not want to give your cat apples inside recipes, such as apple pie, apple stuffing, apple salads, and more, it is alright to give your kitty some small, bite-sized slices of an apple. Make sure to wash the apple thoroughly to get rid of any pesticides or other contaminates; cut up the apple into a size your kitty can eat; and remove the stem, core, and seeds as those can be a choking hazard, and the seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic to cats. You can also peel the apple if you would like to make it easier for your loved one to digest and to reduce their fiber intake.  
• Green Beans. These incredible greens might be what your kitty loves. They can be served to your cat raw, steamed, or frozen. Canned green beans are best to avoid as they usually have too high of a sodium content that is unhealthy for cats. As with other ingredients on this list, the key to green beans is preparing them plain and without any seasonings. You can put aside a small bowl of plain green beans for your cat to enjoy with their Thanksgiving meal if this is a snack they love.  
• Cranberries. Cranberries can be a nice option to give your kitty. However, not all cats like the taste of cranberry. If you are using cranberry sauce, then it can be high in sugar content. Therefore, if you do decide to give your kitty a taste, do it in a small amount.  
• Corn. Corn is another nice option for kitties to eat and has that added crunch factor cats love. Corn is also used in many nutritious cat foods. To feed your loved one corn safely, make sure it is cooked and removed from the cob (to avoid a choking hazard) and unseasoned without butter. You can also feed your cat some unsalted canned corn as well.  
• Carrots. Carrots are fine in small portions. If your cat decides they want to try this snack out, then feeding them a tiny bit of carrots should be alright and only as an occasional treat. 
• Eggs. Eggs are a great food option that you can give your cat safely. If you do choose to give your kitty this treat, make sure the eggs are cooked as raw eggs can give them Salmonella poisoning. Also, make sure the eggs are plain, unseasoned, and do not have added ingredients that could be harmful to your loved one.  
• Bread. Bread is good as an occasional snack. Just make sure it does not have any harmful ingredients added, such as garlic, raisins, chocolate, butter, nuts, etc. Watch the portions of bread you give to your kitty as this can cause your cat to gain too much weight, leading to obesity and other health issues. Also, never give your cat raw or undercooked bread dough. The active yeast can cause a swollen belly and serious bloating. Furthermore, the heat in a cat’s stomach could turn the yeast into ethanol causing alcohol poisoning in your cat. It is best to make sure the bread is thoroughly cooked prior to giving any to your loved one. 
• Sage. A smidge of sage should not hurt your little buddy. You can add just a touch of this herb to their turkey. Not too much though, otherwise this could make them extremely ill. 

What Thanksgiving Foods Can Cats Not Eat?

The following is a list of Thanksgiving foods that our Purina experts say are not good or healthy to give cats: 

• Bones, Skin, Drippings & Gravy. As mentioned above, bones, pieces of skin, fat, seasonings and even gravy can lead to serious health issues in your cat, such as pancreatitis and other digestive issues. The high fat content in these ingredients could lead to obesity and other weight concerns, and the bones could become a choking hazard or cause serious health risks, such as rectal bleeding from splintered bone fragments. Therefore, it is important to stick with plain, bite-sized turkey that has had the skin and bones removed before giving this snack to your kitty cat.  
• Raw Meat. Although we might think that a cat’s stomach is made for raw meat with all the creatures they catch outside, usually raw meat is not good for cats. This is because they could carry harmful pathogens like Salmonella or E. Coli, which can hurt your loved one and make them ill. It is best to make sure all meats are perfectly cooked before sharing this treat with your kitty.  
• Milk & Dairy Products. Once kittens have weaned off their mother’s milk, they lose the ability to digest it properly, becoming lactose intolerant. Furthermore, the sugar content and milk proteins can cause diarrhea in a cat along with other health issues. It is best to keep your furry feline away from anything that contains dairy.  
• Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Chives, Scallions & Allium Vegetables. Garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions, and other veggies like these are all part of the allium species of vegetables. This species of vegetable is toxic to cats. They can cause hemolytic anemia, a breakdown of the red blood cells, as well as kidney and liver damage. If they come into contact with a cat’s skin, this could also cause dermal irritation. It is best to keep your kitty away from foods that have these types of vegetables in them, such as that casserole.  
• Herbs. Most experts agree that it is best to avoid herbs in your cat’s diet. The reason is because some herbs are toxic to cats while others are not. Unless you know that the herb is safe for kitties, the best rule of thumb is to avoid any potentially harmful ingredients. 
• Nutmeg. While this might be a common holiday spice, nutmeg is incredibly toxic to cats. It can cause seizures, tremors, vomiting, and even death. Therefore, it is best to keep an eye on your pet and make sure they do not get into anything with nutmeg.  
• Stuffing. Stuffing might be the highlighted side dish for the holiday season; however, it is usually filled with ingredients that are toxic and unhealthy for your kitty. Ingredients in stuffing might include herbs, spices, butter, onions, garlic, and other foods that can make your cat incredibly ill.  
• Casseroles. Fatty foods and casseroles can trigger diseases, such as pancreatitis or other digestive issues. This is due to the substantial amounts of sodium, sugar, and fat that casseroles and similar foods contain. These foods normally have ingredients that are toxic to cats as well, such as onions, garlic, herbs, and more.  
• Mashed, Seasoned & Raw Potatoes. Most mashed potatoes have added ingredients in them, such as butter, milk, seasonings, gravy, etc., which can cause a lot of health issues in your kitty. Certain potato dishes, such as mashed potatoes and French fries, might also have a high sodium content, which is not good for your pet. Furthermore, as mentioned above, raw potatoes contain solanine, which can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. It is also a good best practice to peel the skin off potatoes first since the skin can be difficult for cats to digest. 
• Alcoholic Beverages. We might not think that our feline friend will be interested in alcohol; however, they could get attracted to foods with alcohol in them or creamy beverages like alcoholic eggnog, hot buttered rum, coquito, etc. If your cat finds a way to sneak some alcohol, you will need to keep an eye on them for alcohol poisoning. As little as 1 teaspoon of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other severe reactions in your kitty. You will also want to make sure they did not drink an alcoholic beverage that contained a mixer with xylitol or any other artificial sweeteners as this could be fatal to your pet.  
• Raisins & Grapes. Raisins and grapes are known to be so toxic to cats that even if they eat one, it can be fatal to them usually due to acute (sudden) kidney failure. The reasons for this remain mostly unknown; however, what is known is that, if ingested, a cat could experience many different symptoms, including decreased appetite, lethargy, stomach issues, dehydration, increased thirst, frequent urination, and more. If you know your kitty ate a grape or raisins, then act fast and call your veterinarian right away.  
• Ham. A lot of store-bought hams contain a ton of salt, sugar, and preservatives that are not healthy for your kitty. This could lead to a range of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, increased thirst, kidney damage, seizure, coma, and even death. It has a huge amount of fat outside the normal range for your cat, which can cause pancreatitis and other ailments. It is best to just stick to the plain, skinless turkey if you want to give them some meat for Thanksgiving or any other holiday.  
• Yeast Dough. There are quite a few issues when it comes to bread and yeast dough. Baked white and wheat bread is usually fine for cats in moderation. Since bread is a carbohydrate, too much can lead to obesity and other dietary health concerns. With bread dough (or yeast dough), there are many other concerns to consider. If your cat were to eat the dough, the yeast and stomach heat will make it rise inside your kitty’s stomach and can cause bloating. If it ferments in their stomach, it might also turn into ethanol and alcohol poisoning. The other thing that needs to be watched out for are added ingredients to bread which could be toxic, such as raisins, garlic, macadamia nuts, xylitol, and more.  
• Fatty Foods. As mentioned above, fats and fatty foods can cause obesity, pancreatitis, or other digestive issues. It is best to avoid giving your cat these types of food in general. 
• Foods Containing Spices. Also, mentioned above are the number of spices and seasonings that can be toxic to cats. Unless you know that a spice is safe for your kitty to eat, it is best to keep your loved one away from the spice life.  
• Mushrooms. While most store-bought mushrooms are nontoxic to cats, there are some that are highly toxic and can cause kidney and liver failure, neurologic issues, and sometimes death. In fact, experts say that 99 percent of wild mushrooms are toxic to pets. Furthermore, a lot of mushrooms during Thanksgiving tend to get slathered with butter, herbs, and other harmful ingredients. It is best to avoid giving your kitty mushrooms, especially since they will not add anything that a balanced diet does not already have. 
• Butter. Butter is usually the staple of a well-cooked holiday meal, but it also comes with a high-fat content which can be a dangerous choice for your cat. While a lick of butter might not result in any grave consequences, too much can lead to pancreatitis, stomach issues, and more.  
• Nuts. Nuts can be unsafe and highly toxic to cats. For example, macadamia nuts can lead to nut poisoning, causing fever, tremors, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and more. Then we have walnuts, which are susceptible to mold that can create a fertile breeding ground for tremorgenic mycotoxins, which can be fatal to cats. The same is true for pistachios, which can carry the Aspergillus mold that can lead to a loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, and even liver failure. Then we must take into consideration that nuts can be a choking hazard. Also, the high fat and calorie content in nuts can increase the risk of pancreatitis, obesity, and more.  
• Xylitol & Anything “Sugar-Free.” Xylitol and many other artificial sweeteners can be found in a lot of different foods, such as candies, cakes, chewing gums, mints, peanut butter, and even some liquid medications for people. Xylitol can be extremely toxic and even fatal for kitties. The reason is because it creates a spike in a cat’s insulin levels, leading to a dramatic drop in their blood sugar and causing acute liver failure. Symptoms can include seizure, the inability to stand, coma, etc. It is important to check the labels of all the items your cat ingests in case xylitol is present. 
• Chocolate. Chocolate and cocoa contain methylxanthine compounds, theobromine, and caffeine, which are toxic to cats if they are consumed. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more dangerous it becomes to cats. This can cause chocolate poisoning in your cat with symptoms ranging from restlessness, hyperactivity, and stomach issues to seizure, coma, and cardiac failure. 

If you suspect your cat has eaten or drunk something toxic, then contact your vet, the local animal hospital, or the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) at (888) 426-4435 immediately for assistance. 

Can Cats Eat Thanksgiving Turkey?

When it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving, it is best to take the proper holiday safety precautions and ensure that your buddy is only eating approved holiday foods. The same is true for the main dish that everyone gets most excited for, which is the Thanksgiving turkey. You might wonder, Can my cat eat the Thanksgiving turkey with us? This will depend on how the turkey has been prepared.

If the turkey has any seasonings, salt, added oils, butter, gravy, or other ingredients that are harmful to cats, then it might be better to make your kitty their own turkey dish without all these additions. If the turkey is plain, then just make sure to not feed them the skin, fat, or bones of the turkey as these parts can cause health issues in your pet. This might include pancreatitis, stomach issues, and other ailments. If you take the right precautions, then you should be able to give your furball bite-sized turkey as a Thanksgiving treat. You can also give your cat some turkey cat food that has been specially formulated for your loved one.

For more expert tips on feeding your cat, explore our other cat feeding guides.