19 Holiday Foods To Keep Away From Your Cat

From savory sides to sugary desserts, here are the holiday foods that should stay out of your cat’s bowl. 

A little bit of plain, cooked turkey is fine for most cats, but avoid turkey that’s been brined, salted, buttered, or seasoned with onion, garlic, or herbs, all of which can upset your cat’s stomach—or worse. 

Prepared ham is high in sodium and often glazed with brown sugar, cloves, or honey. Too much salt can cause electrolyte imbalances, while the sugar can contribute to weight gain, dental issues, and digestive upset. 

Ham is also higher in fat than other protein options like plain turkey. Too much fat can cause diarrhea or vomiting. 

While technically not a holiday food, cooked bones can quickly stack up during the holidays as people clear their plates.  

Bones can splinter and cause choking, internal injury, or an intestinal blockage, so keep them away from your curious cat and make sure the trash is secure using a pet-safe lock, like the MyPet Safety Paws Mischief Minder Strap Lock. 

Classic stuffing recipes are full of onion and garlic, which are toxic to cats. These veggies can damage red blood cells and lead to hemolytic anemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. 

Most versions of cranberry sauce, whether homemade or canned, contain lots of added sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems. Cats don’t benefit from sugar, and they don’t really have a taste for it either, so it’s best to avoid it altogether. 

Plain, cooked potatoes aren’t toxic, but most mashed potatoes include butter, milk, salt, garlic, or onion powder—all ingredients that can cause digestive upset or even toxicity. 

Gravy adds another layer of risk, since it’s often made with fat drippings, seasonings, and alliums. 

Plain, baked sweet potatoes are okay in moderation, but sweet potato casserole is typically loaded with brown sugar, butter, and marshmallows, which can trigger stomach upset. 

If topped with pecans, there’s an added risk of choking or obstruction, as nuts are difficult for cats to digest.  

Speaking of nuts, popular holiday desserts like pecan pie, nut brittles, and spiced nuts should also be kept out of reach.  

Nuts are high in fat and can be hard for cats to digest, potentially leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Some nuts, like macadamias, can be toxic, causing lethargy, tremors, or weakness. 

Green beans alone make a healthy snack, but green bean casserole is another story. It’s made with creamy sauce that’s heavy in dairy and sodium, and the signature crispy onion topping is toxic to cats. 

While a few plain corn kernels won’t hurt, cats should never eat corn on the cob. Cob pieces can pose a serious choking hazard or cause a bowel obstruction if swallowed. 

Most cats are lactose intolerant, so the milk and cheese in mac and cheese can cause diarrhea, bloating, and stomach cramps. The popular holiday dish also tends to be high in salt and fat. 

It’s all in the name here. Garlic bread is loaded with garlic, as well as butter and salt—all ingredients that aren’t good for your cat.  

If you’re baking holiday rolls or bread, keep raw dough far away from curious paws. The yeast can ferment in a cat’s stomach, releasing gas and ethanol. This can cause painful bloating, alcohol poisoning, or even stomach rupture. 

While plain canned pumpkin is a safe and healthy treat, pumpkin pie isn’t. It contains sweetened condensed milk, which is loaded with sugar and dairy, and spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. All these ingredients can irritate your cat’s digestive system or even cause toxicity. 

You can add some canned pumpkin puree to your cat’s food as a delicious topper instead. 

Gingerbread is made with molasses, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sugar—a combination that can spell trouble for cats. Spices like nutmeg contain compounds that can harm a cat’s nervous system, and sugary icing or candy decorations can lead to vomiting or diarrhea. 

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two compounds that cats can’t metabolize properly. Even small amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures. Dark and baking chocolates are the most dangerous, but frostings, cookies, or brownies made with cocoa powder are also risky. 

Fruitcake and bread pudding are holiday staples for some humans, but they can be problematic for cats. These desserts often contain raisins, currants, alcohol, or spices that can cause stomach upset or more severe toxicity. 

Even trace amounts of wine, beer, or spirits can cause vomiting, loss of coordination, low blood sugar, or even coma in cats.  

Eggnog combines three red-flag ingredients: raw eggs, cream, and sugar. Plus, it’s usually spiked with alcohol. 

If your cat ingests something toxic during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, stay calm, but act quickly. Call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 right away.  

Be prepared to share what your cat ate, how much, and when. Keep the packaging handy, as ingredient and dosage information can help your cat’s care team determine the best course of action. 

Don’t try to make your cat vomit or give them any at-home care without veterinary approval. Doing so can sometimes make things worse or lead to aspiration pneumonia.  

Instead, follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully; they may recommend immediately bringing your cat into an emergency clinic. 

Just because you can’t share every dish doesn’t mean your cat can’t partake and enjoy a festive nibble with you. 

Here are some safe human foods you can give them (in small amounts): 

• Cooked, unseasoned lean turkey or chicken (no skin, no bones) 
• Plain cooked pumpkin (not pumpkin pie or pumpkin pie filling) 
• Tiny bits of steamed green beans or carrots (unsalted) 
• Plain mashed sweet potato (no butter, sugar, or spices) 
• Plain cooked potato (no salt, milk, or cream) 
• Plain peas (unseasoned) 
• Cooked salmon or white fish (unseasoned and boneless) 
• Plain, unsweetened applesauce (in moderation) 

If you want to get a little more creative, you can make some holiday-inspired, cat-safe dishes, like: 

• Lox-and-Bagel with Schmear  
• Turkey Triangles 
• Pet-Safe Kabobs 
• Pumpkin Mini Muffins 
• Cranberry Cookies 

For an even easier option, you can always opt for holiday cat treats:  

Bocce’s Bakery Jingle Bell Bites come in festive packaging and are a crunchy treat with delicious, seasonal sweet potato.  

Pure Bites Holiday Turkey Snacks are freeze-dried and as yummy as the turkey on your table.  

For a budget-friendly option, Temptations Tender Fills are a perfect stocking stuffer.  

What’s the one meat to never feed a cat?  

There’s no single meat to never feed a cat, but avoid giving your cat any raw or undercooked meats, which can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. Steer clear of processed or seasoned meats, such as ham, bacon, sausage, or deli meats, since they’re often high in sodium, fat, and preservatives that can upset your cat’s stomach. 

What can cats eat from a Christmas or Hannukah meal?  

A bite of plain, cooked lean turkey or chicken (no skin, seasoning, or bones) is generally safe. A spoonful of plain pumpkin (no spices or sugars) or a small amount of plain, steamed veggies, like green beans or carrots, is usually fine for healthy cats.