Safe Holiday Foods for Your Cats: A Cat Parent’s Guide

Somehow, we blinked and it's almost Thanksgiving. To get into the holiday spirit, let’s start talking about some things I think all cat parents should know. At least for me, my cat is a major beggar. I try my best to keep him on a healthy diet but he is a street cat after all and finds a way to take scraps off my plate… 

If your cat is anything like mine, here are some foods you can give yours a little bit of and what to avoid altogether so everyone can have a happy holiday. 

Foods You Can Give in Small Amounts: 

Plain cooked turkey or chicken – no skin, no butter, no seasonings. Tiny pieces for tasting only.

Plain cooked sweet potato or pumpkin.

Cooked egg – scrambled or hard-boiled, plain is fine for the occasional treat.

Small bits of plain fish – like baked salmon or tuna (avoid canned in oil or seasoned).

Foods to Avoid Completely:

Onions, garlic, leeks, chives – common in stuffing and mashed potatoes, dangerous for kitties.

Grapes & raisins – even tiny pieces can hurt their kidneys.

Fatty turkey skin and drippings – can lead to tummy trouble or pancreatitis.

Bones – turkey, chicken, or ham bones can splinter and are super dangerous.

Sugary desserts – pies, chocolate, candies… none of this is safe for cats.

I'm sure you are way stronger and stricter than I am about dinner habits, but hey a little advice never hurt anybody! My cat might give me ultimate begging eyes that turn into angry tail wags because he doesn't get what he wants, but I have learned that little pieces of plain cooked turkey and salmon help me tame the beast that is my hungry cat. 

There’s something extra special about spending the holidays with your family– both human and feline. Wishing everyone happy holidays filled with lots of love, food,  and plenty of purrs & biscuit making. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love and enough treats for both humans and kitties:)


And hey, while you’re thinking about getting into the holiday spirit, the Rock Paper Scissors shirt is a purrfect gift for any cat lover!