While cats can consume some human foods safely, a cat eating unsafe human food can cause problems such as stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, allergic reaction, and feline toxicity, which can be fatal. There are also other dangers of feeding cats too much human food too often, such as pet obesity, arthritis, feline diabetes mellitus, and so on. Thankfully, the following human foods are considered safe treats for cats in moderation:

1. Bananas
Bananas can be a good treat for cats. This fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is essential for cats and can help boost immune function. Bananas are also a good source of fiber, which is important for digestion, and are rich in potassium and magnesium, which are important minerals for cats. On the other hand, some cats may have an allergic reaction to bananas, so it is best to feed them only a tiny piece first and wait an hour, so you know that they don’t suffer adverse reactions. When feeding bananas to your cat, always cut the banana into bite sized pieces and feed it to your cat in a separate dish.

2. Green peas
Green peas are a perfect treat for cats. This veggie is a good source of protein and vitamin A, which are essential nutrients for building strong bones and boosting energy in cats. Peas are also high in fiber and phosphorus, which are essential minerals for ensuring calcium bonding for the development of healthy bones and teeth. Green peas are best offered to cats pureed and added to cat food.

3. Chicken
Chicken is an excellent source of protein, which is very important for boosting energy. It can be a good treat for hungry or bored cats, and, as cats are carnivores, you can also occasionally use it as a regular meal. However, never feed a cat raw chicken or meat with the bones intact, as doing so could result in salmonella or a choking hazard. Cook chicken thoroughly without spices before feeding it to your cat.

4. Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C. It is high in fiber, which is necessary for cats’ digestion; it can also help ease diarrhea and stomach upset in cats. Feed pumpkin to cats cooked and pureed without any seasoning, either fresh or canned, and blend it well with cat food.

5. Hard cheeses
Hard cheeses are an excellent source of calcium and protein, and are also a great source of vitamin A, which is essential for cats’ vision, skin, and bone health. Cheese is also a good way to tempt a cat to take a vet-prescribed medication—just wrap the pill in a bit of cheese and most cats will gobble it down without protest. When feeding cheese to your cat, choose tiny, bite-sized pieces of hard cheese without added seasonings.

Although the above-mentioned human foods are considered safe to feed cats, always talk to your veterinarian about proper portion sizes and moderation to avoid pet obesity, feline diabetes, joint issues, such as arthritis, and heart and kidney disease.