Can cats and dogs eat rice, tofu, eggs or milk?

About this guideCompiled from the listed veterinary and health organisations’ guidance; not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.

General information for owners, not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. If your animal seems very unwell, in pain, struggling to breathe or may have been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.

Quick answer

Key points

Human food should be only a small treat, under 10% of daily calories, alongside a complete and balanced main diet.
Plain cooked white rice is not toxic, but rice with leftovers is not a balanced diet, especially for cats.
Eggs must be fully cooked and unseasoned, because raw eggs can carry bacteria and block the absorption of biotin.
Salted fish and very salty foods are best avoided, and milk often causes diarrhoea.
No veterinary source specifically assesses tempeh, and advice on tofu exists only for dogs.

When should you see a vet?

Contact a vet immediately if your pet eats food seasoned with onion or garlic, chocolate, sugar-free sweets or baked goods, or a lot of salty food, or if it trembles, has seizures or becomes very weak.
Vomiting or diarrhoea after eating human food, especially if it keeps happening.
Great thirst and frequent urination after eating salty food.
Choking, vomiting or appearing in pain after swallowing a fish or chicken bone.
A cat fed a lot of fish becomes lethargic, is painful when its belly is touched, is weak or walks unsteadily.
Itching, skin problems or an upset stomach after trying a new food such as tofu or egg.

Contact your nearest veterinarian or animal clinic. This site cannot assess your animal’s condition. Choosing a vet

In this guide (11)

Can cats and dogs eat human food?

Yes, in small plain amounts, but only as a treat alongside a complete and balanced main diet. WSAVA advises that all treats, including human food, stay under 10% of daily calories, because too many treats unbalance the diet and add weight. Many home-cooked dishes are seasoned with garlic, shallots or onions, which can damage red blood cells, and with salt, which is dangerous in large amounts. See our guide to foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs for the full list. This guide answers only for ingredients that reputable veterinary sources cover, directly or by food group, and says clearly where the evidence is limited.

Evidence: WSAVA — Feeding treats to your cat ↗ · WSAVA — Feeding treats to your dog ↗ · ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗

Can cats and dogs eat rice?

Plain cooked white rice is not toxic and is fine in small amounts, but it must not become the main diet. WSAVA explains that dogs and cats can digest properly cooked grains, as long as the overall diet is complete and balanced. The American Kennel Club notes that rice is sometimes used in commercial dog foods and advises boiling it in water without seasoning. But the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that diets built from a few foods, such as only meat and rice, can cause calcium deficiency and bone problems. For cats the risk is greater, as cats are less able to use carbohydrates and rice contains no taurine. Never share fried rice or rice seasoned with onion or garlic.

Evidence: WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee — Frequently Asked Questions & Myths ↗ · American Kennel Club — Can Dogs Eat Rice? ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · International Cat Care — Feeding your cat or kitten ↗

Can cats and dogs eat tempeh and tofu?

The evidence is limited: we found no veterinary source that specifically assesses tempeh, and advice on tofu exists only for dogs. The American Kennel Club's chief veterinarian says tofu is not toxic to dogs and can be given occasionally in small amounts, as long as it is plain, unsalted and free of onion or garlic. Tofu should not be a main protein source, can make dogs very gassy, and should be avoided if a dog is allergic or sensitive to soy. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that soy protein is used in some commercial pet foods, and that the substances in raw soybeans that interfere with protein digestion are destroyed by cooking.

For cats, tempeh and tofu cannot replace meat, because plant protein contains no taurine, which cats must get from their food. Seasoned fried tempeh or tofu is best not shared with cats or dogs. The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine lists high-fat foods among the foods pets should avoid, and onion or garlic seasoning can damage red blood cells. If you want to give a dog a little plain tofu, ask your vet first, especially if it has a history of digestive problems.

Evidence: American Kennel Club — Can Dogs Eat Tofu? ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Dog and Cat Foods ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — The Most Popular Holiday Foods… That Your Pet Should Avoid! ↗ · ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗

Can cats and dogs eat salted fish?

It is best not to, because salted fish (ikan asin) is very high in salt. We found no veterinary source that discusses salted fish specifically, but ASPCA explains that too much salt can cause great thirst and frequent urination, then vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, tremors, seizures and even death. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that salt poisoning is increasingly reported in dogs, and the risk is much higher when drinking water is limited. Tufts adds that high-sodium foods are a particular concern for pets with heart or kidney disease. Fish bones can also injure the mouth and gut.

Plain, well-cooked, boneless fish can be given occasionally. RSPCA Australia lists canned sardines, tuna or salmon in spring water as an occasional treat for cats, while still taking care with bones. But fish must not become a cat's main diet: according to Merck, cats given a lot of canned tuna can become short of vitamin E, and raw freshwater fish destroys vitamin B1. Make sure no fish bones are left and that the fish is cooked without salt or seasoning.

Evidence: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Salt Toxicosis in Animals ↗ · Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — The Most Popular Holiday Foods… That Your Pet Should Avoid! ↗ · RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase — What should I feed my cat? ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗

Can cats and dogs eat eggs?

Yes, as long as the egg is fully cooked, without oil, butter, salt or seasoning, and given in small amounts as a treat. The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine lists hard-boiled egg as one of the low-calorie treat options for healthy dogs and cats. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that egg protein has the highest biological value. Raw egg is not recommended: ASPCA explains that raw eggs can carry Salmonella and E. coli bacteria, and raw egg white contains a substance that blocks absorption of the vitamin biotin, which can cause skin and coat problems. Eggs still contain calories, so too many can add weight. A few dogs are allergic to eggs, although this is uncommon.

Evidence: Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — Treat Options for Dogs and Cats Without Unbalancing Their Diet ↗ · Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals ↗ · ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗ · American Kennel Club — Can Dogs Eat Eggs? ↗

Can cats and dogs drink milk?

It is best not to, because many cats and dogs cannot digest lactose well. ASPCA explains that pets lack enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so milk and dairy products can cause diarrhoea or other digestive upset. The Cornell Feline Health Center does not recommend milk as a treat for cats because many cats are lactose-intolerant, and WSAVA's treat guidance says cats should avoid milk and dairy products. The RSPCA reminds owners that cow's milk is not a substitute for water. Clean water should remain your pet's main drink. If you want to give a dairy product for a particular reason, ask your vet first.

Evidence: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗ · Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat ↗ · WSAVA — Feeding treats to your cat ↗ · RSPCA — What to Feed Your Pet Cat ↗

How can you share food with cats and dogs safely?

Give only plain, cooked, boneless food in small pieces. Set your pet's portion aside before the dish is seasoned with onion, garlic, salt or coconut milk (santan); ASPCA notes that fresh coconut flesh and milk contain oils that can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea. Introduce one new food at a time and start small, so you know the cause if vomiting, diarrhoea or itching appears. Tufts recommends weighing treats so you do not overdo them, and warns that treats that suit a healthy pet may not suit one with a medical condition; WSAVA says the same for pets on a vet-prescribed diet. Keep bins covered so your pet cannot raid leftovers and bones.

Evidence: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ↗ · Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — Treat Options for Dogs and Cats Without Unbalancing Their Diet ↗ · Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology — The Most Popular Holiday Foods… That Your Pet Should Avoid! ↗ · WSAVA — Feeding treats to your dog ↗ · American Kennel Club — Can Dogs Eat Rice? ↗

Sources & references

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.

Cite this page

PanduanHewan. (2026, 25 September). Can cats and dogs eat rice, tofu, eggs or milk?. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/can-cats-and-dogs-eat-human-food/

Can cats and dogs eat rice, tofu, eggs or milk?

Key points

When should you see a vet?

Can cats and dogs eat human food?

Can cats and dogs eat rice?

Can cats and dogs eat tempeh and tofu?

Can cats and dogs eat salted fish?

Can cats and dogs eat eggs?

Can cats and dogs drink milk?

How can you share food with cats and dogs safely?

Sources & references

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