Discover what cats can safely eat for Christmas dinner
You’re sitting down for Christmas dinner. Your loved ones are chatting and laughing around the table. The mouth-watering smell of your meal wafts up from your plate. And your cat is staring up at you in hungry anticipation.
Cats are part of the family, so it’s only natural to want to involve them in festive celebrations. But can cats join in with the Christmas feast? Registered Veterinary Nurse Helen Crofts explains how to safely share your turkey dinner with your cat.
Can cats eat turkey?
Cats can eat turkey, but it must be:
- cooked. Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria
- boneless. Bones can splinter and cause choking, internal injuries or blockages. Make sure you dispose of the turkey carcass safely out of your cat’s reach
- unseasoned. Seasonings like garlic and onion can be fatal to cats. Salt and certain herbs can be toxic. Even small amounts can cause digestive upset or more serious health issues
- skinless. Turkey skin is high in fat and can cause digestive upset or even pancreatitis in sensitive cats. If you have roasted your turkey, the skin may also have come into contact with seasonings, herbs or garlic. These can be toxic to cats
It’s ok to feed your cat some plain, cooked turkey as an occasional treat. But avoid giving turkey to your cat regularly. A diet of turkey on its own will not contain all the nutrients your cat needs. Instead, feed them a commercial cat food that says ‘complete’ on the packaging. This will contain the right balance of ingredients to keep your cat healthy.
What can cats eat for Christmas dinner?
There’s no need to feed your cat a special dinner at Christmas.
Cats love a predictable routine. Ensuring you give them their usual food at the usual time will keep your cat happy.
A sudden change in your cat’s diet could even cause digestive upset, especially if it’s something rich or unusual. And giving them a taste of something extra tasty may cause them to go off their usual food, in the hope of receiving more special treats.
If you do want to feel like you’re including your cat in festive mealtimes, you could feed them some cat food that contains turkey or is turkey-flavoured. This will ensure they’re still getting a healthy, balanced meal.
If you do decide to give your cat some Christmas dinner, make sure you only give them the safe Christmas foods listed below.
Safe Christmas foods for cats
- Cooked turkey or chicken with no bones, skin or seasoning
- Cooked salmon with no bones or seasoning
- Steamed or boiled vegetables such as carrots, peas or green beans. Make sure there is no butter, salt or seasoning
- Plain mashed potato with no butter, cream or garlic
Dangerous Christmas foods for cats
- Stuffing. This contains onion, garlic and herbs, which are all toxic to cats
- Gravy made for humans. This is usually salty and contains garlic and seasoning
- Cooked bones. These can splinter and cause injury
- Onion
- Garlic
- Leek
- Chocolate
- Sweets
- Mince pies
- Christmas pudding
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Grapes
- Alcohol or foods cooked with alcohol
- Dairy products. Many cats are lactose intolerant
Find out more about human foods that are unsafe for cats.
Cat-friendly Christmas treat ideas
If you want to treat your cat at Christmas time, here are some cat-safe ideas they’ll love!
- A bit of plain, cooked turkey or chicken
- A bit of canned salmon or tuna in spring water
- Turkey-flavoured cat food or cat treats
- Cat treats in a festive shape, like snowmen or Christmas trees
- A Christmas-themed cat toy
- A Christmas-themed cat bed or blanket
Discover lots of festive treats for you and your cat when you shop with Cats Protection.
