Can Cats Eat Bread? Explaining Empty Calories

Cat with bread — Too much bread isn't good for anyone, especially cats. bellena / Shutterstock

Cats have a reputation for being picky eaters, but some pet parents are surprised when their feline friend makes a move for the toast. So, can cats eat bread?

Yes—in moderation. But just because cats can eat bread doesn’t mean they should.

Plain baked bread is safe for most cats in small amounts, but it offers essentially empty calories and little nutritional benefit. That means if you're offering your cat a tiny bite, it should be plain and occasional.

Why Cats Crave Bread

While many cats love bread, they don’t love it for the same reasons we do.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies rely on meat protein. The smell of baked bread might intrigue a cat due to its yeasty aroma (especially in plain white bread), which resembles some meaty scents.

But just because your cat likes bread doesn’t mean it's a good addition to their diet. Bread lacks essential nutrients cats need and may displace more nutritious cat food. Feed bread to your pet too often, and you risk throwing off your cat's daily caloric intake and overall health.

Plain Bread vs. Bread With Additives

Cat with bread on table — Is bread bad for cats? It's especially bad when it has additives. Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock

Not all bread is created equal. While plain baked bread might be safe, bread with garlic, onions, chocolate spread, or raisins is toxic to cats. Garlic bread in particular should be avoided altogether.

Even sandwich bread or banana bread can include ingredients bad for cats. High sugar content, preservatives, or chocolate chips can be dangerous, especially for kittens. It's safest to keep baked goods off the cat's menu unless you know every ingredient.

Never Give Raw Dough

Raw bread dough is a major no-no. When raw dough ferments, it produces carbon dioxide and ethanol alcohol.

In a cat's stomach, this can cause a distended stomach and lead to alcohol poisoning. Even a small amount can be life-threatening.

Cats who ingest raw dough need immediate veterinary attention. It’s one of those human foods that’s not just bad for cats, but downright dangerous.

How Much Bread Is Too Much?

Owner giving cat a little bit of bread — When cats eat white bread, they're essentially consuming empty calories. Rawpixel.com / Shutterstock

If you must share a bit of your toast with your cat, think small. A tiny bite once in a while won’t harm most cats. But if bread becomes a habit, it can start to crowd out the meat protein they really need.

A good rule: If it's not improving your cat’s nutrition, skip it. All the calories in bread do little for a cat's diet.

The best treats are high in animal protein and low in fillers—not baked goods meant for humans.

When Bread Might Be Useful

There's one situation where bread might come in handy: hiding liquid medicine. Some vets recommend using a soft piece of bread to deliver meds. But always ask your vet first (and skip this trick if your cat has a history of food sensitivity).

For most cats, bread is just a novelty. A curious sniff. A small bite. A harmless indulgence if plain and rare. But bread shouldn't become a part of your cat's regular feeding routine.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.