Thanksgiving is a time for warmth, gratitude, and delicious food—but many holiday favorites aren’t safe for our feline friends. To help keep your cat healthy and stress-free this season, here’s a clear guide on which Thanksgiving foods are safe for cats and which should be avoided.
Credits to @idahohumanesociety for this information.
✅ Cat-Friendly Thanksgiving Foods (In Small, Plain Portions)
These foods are safe for cats when cooked, plain, and unseasoned. Cats have sensitive stomachs, so offer only tiny nibbles:
🥕 Cooked Carrots – Soft, gentle on digestion.
🥬 Small Amount of Celery – Tiny bits only; high fiber.
🌽 Corn – Plain kernels; avoid butter or seasoning.
🍠 Sweet Potatoes – Cooked only, no sugar or marshmallows.
🟢 Cooked Green Beans – Simple and nutritious.
🍎 Apples (no seeds or core!) – A small fruity treat.
🍌 Bananas – Just a thin slice.
🥦 Broccoli – Cooked, in small amounts.
🎃 Pumpkin – Plain, unsweetened, great for digestion.
🍂 Squash – Soft and cat-safe when cooked.
🍚 Rice – Simple and gentle on the stomach.
🍲 Quinoa – High protein and safe in tiny amounts.
🦃 Turkey – White meat only; no skin, fat, spices, or bones.
🍗 Chicken – Plain cooked chicken breast is perfect.
❌ Foods NOT Safe for Cats
These Thanksgiving foods can cause vomiting, toxic reactions, digestive issues, or serious health risks:
🧀 Cheese – Many cats are lactose-intolerant.
🍫 Chocolate – Highly toxic to cats.
🍵 Tea / Caffeine – Dangerous for the heart and nervous system.
🧅 Onion, Leeks, Garlic – Can damage red blood cells → anemia.
🍇 Grapes & Raisins – Toxic, can cause kidney failure.
🥩 Raw Meat – Risk of bacteria and parasites.
🥓 Ham – Too salty, fatty, and preserved.
🥔 Raw Potatoes / Mashed Potatoes (with cream or butter) – Toxic when raw; fatty when prepared.
🍞 Raw Dough – Yeast expands in the stomach → emergency risk.
🍒 Canned Cranberry Sauce – Sugars and additives.
🍊 Citrus Foods – Can upset stomach or cause toxicity.
🥧 Pre-Made Desserts, Pie Filling, Stuffing – Often contain sugar, spices, butter, onion, or toxic ingredients.
🐾 Extra Thanksgiving Tips for Cat Owners
- Keep plates and leftovers out of reach—cats are clever climbers!
- Avoid feeding table scraps; stick to plain, single-ingredient foods.
- Introduce new foods slowly to avoid digestive upset.
- If your cat shows vomiting, lethargy, or unusual behavior, contact a vet immediately.
📣 Hashtags for Social Media Reach
#ThanksgivingCats #CatSafety #FelineHealth #HolidayPetSafety #CatWellness #Thanksgiving2025 #CatFriendlyFoods #PetCareTips #HealthyCatsHappyHolidays