Type any food, plant, flower, essential oil, or household product to see whether it is safe, use-with-caution, or toxic for cats. Every verdict is drawn from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic lists and veterinary sources, with a plain-language reason and a link to a full guide. When in doubt, check here before your cat does.
On this page
How the checker works
Start typing in the box above and the tool searches a database of more than 150 foods, plants, flowers, oils, and household products that cat owners ask about most. Each match returns a color-coded verdict. Green means the item is non-toxic to cats. Amber means use caution, usually because it is safe only in tiny amounts, or because the answer depends on the exact type behind an ambiguous name. Red means the item is toxic and should be kept away from your cat.
Every entry links to a full guide with the detail behind the verdict: the symptoms, the amount that matters, and what to do. The database is built from the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plant and food lists and from veterinary sources, but it is a quick reference, not a diagnosis. If an item is not in the database, treat it as unknown and check with your vet rather than assuming it is safe.
A quick reminder on amounts: “safe” does not mean unlimited. Many safe foods are only safe as an occasional small treat, and even a non-toxic plant can give a cat a stomach ache if it eats a lot. The verdicts assume normal, sensible amounts.
The most common toxic items to know
A handful of everyday things cause most cat poisonings. If you memorize nothing else, memorize these, because they are common in homes and genuinely dangerous.
Toxic foods
- Onion & garlic
- Chocolate
- Grapes & raisins
- Xylitol (sugar-free)
- Alcohol & caffeine
Toxic plants & flowers
- Lilies (emergency)
- Sago palm (emergency)
- Lucky bamboo
- Hydrangea & tulips
- Pothos & philodendron
Toxic products
- Antifreeze (emergency)
- Tylenol & ibuprofen
- Dog flea meds (permethrin)
- Phenol cleaners (Pine-Sol)
- Essential oils (tea tree, etc.)
Common items that are safe for cats
The reassuring flip side: plenty of things cat owners worry about are perfectly safe. These are non-toxic, though as always, treats should stay small.
Safe foods
- Cooked plain chicken
- Cooked salmon & sardines
- Blueberries & banana
- Cooked carrot & peas
- Plain pumpkin
Safe plants
- True bamboo
- Spider plant
- Prayer plant & peperomia
- Most true palms
- Cat grass
Safe flowers
- Roses (true)
- Gerbera daisies
- Sunflowers & zinnias
- Orchids
- African violets
If your cat ate something toxic
If the checker flags something red and your cat has eaten it, act rather than wait. Remove the item so no more can be eaten, note what it was and roughly how much and when, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home unless a professional tells you to, because with some toxins that causes more harm. For the true emergencies, lilies, sago palm, antifreeze, and human painkillers like Tylenol, go to a vet immediately without waiting for symptoms, because with these the early hours decide the outcome.
Poison control: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, (888) 426-4435, is available 24/7 (a consultation fee may apply). Keep that number somewhere you can find it fast.
Full cat safety guides
Each verdict in the checker links to one of these in-depth guides. Browse them directly to learn what is safe and what is not, category by category.
Other free cat calculators
The Safety Checker is one of Waldev’s free cat tools. If you are setting up a cat’s care, these pair well with it.
See the full set on the Pet Calculators category, browse care articles in the Cat blog, or explore everything on the Waldev homepage.
Frequently asked questions
How does the Cat Food & Toxin Safety Checker work?
Type the name of any food, plant, flower, essential oil, or household product into the search box. The checker matches it to a database built from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic lists and veterinary sources, and shows a color-coded verdict: green for safe, amber for caution, and red for toxic. Each result includes a short reason and a link to a full guide. If your item is not listed, treat it as unknown and check with your vet.
Is this checker a substitute for a vet?
No. The checker is an educational quick-reference, not veterinary advice. Toxicity can depend on the amount eaten, the exact species behind a common name, and your cat’s health. If your cat has eaten something toxic or is showing symptoms, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away.
What should I do if my cat ate something toxic?
Remove the item, note what and how much was eaten and when, and call your vet or a poison control line. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home unless a professional tells you to, since that can cause more harm with some toxins. For lilies, sago palm, antifreeze, or human painkillers, treat it as an emergency and go in without waiting for symptoms.
Why does an item show “caution” instead of safe or toxic?
Caution covers two cases. Either the item is non-toxic but only in small amounts, like a fatty or salty food that upsets the stomach in quantity, or its common name could mean more than one plant, some safe and some toxic, such as “daisy” or “palm.” In both cases the safe move is to keep it away or confirm the exact type before offering it.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general education and is based on the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic databases and reputable veterinary sources. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, and it cannot cover every product or account for the amount eaten or your cat’s individual health. If you suspect a poisoning, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
