Can Cats Eat Biscuits?
Cats can eat biscuits — but they shouldn’t.
Human biscuits (cookies/crackers/sweet bakery biscuits) contain sugar, salt, refined flour, oil, milk, butter, and sometimes chocolate or artificial flavors — none of which are appropriate for a cat’s digestive system.
A tiny bite of a plain biscuit isn’t toxic, but biscuits offer no nutritional value for cats, and frequent feeding may lead to obesity, diabetes, digestive upset, and long-term health issues.
This guide breaks down everything cat owners need to know: ingredients to avoid, risks, safer alternatives, how to respond if a cat steals a biscuit, whether kittens can have them, and more.
Why Biscuits Aren’t a Suitable Snack for Cats?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their body runs on protein and fat from animal sources — not grains, sugar, or milk-based foods. A biscuit is the opposite of what their digestive system is built for.
What a typical biscuit contains:
| Ingredient | Safe for Cats? | Problem for Cats |
|---|---|---|
| Refined Flour | Not toxic | Causes blood sugar spike, no nutrition |
| Sugar | Unsafe | Leads to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay |
| Salt | Unsafe in excess | Can lead to dehydration & sodium toxicity |
| Butter/Ghee | High fat | May cause pancreatitis |
| Milk | Many cats are lactose intolerant | Causes diarrhea/indigestion |
| Chocolate (if present) | VERY toxic | Can cause seizures or death |
| Flavoring/cream | Unsafe | Artificial & high sugar |
Even a plain digestive biscuit is high in carbs and offers zero nutritional benefit.
What Happens If a Cat Eats a Biscuit?
If your cat took a small bite — relax.
A little biscuit is unlikely to be dangerous for a healthy cat.
However, watch closely for symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gas or stomach discomfort
- Restlessness or unusual behavior
- Increased thirst
If a biscuit contained chocolate, raisins, xylitol, garlic, or nutmeg, contact a vet immediately. These ingredients can be harmful or toxic.
Why Cats Like Biscuits Even Though They Shouldn’t Eat Them
Cats cannot taste sweetness.
So if they beg for biscuits, it’s not because they enjoy the sugar — it’s the smell of fat, milk, or butter inside the biscuit.
Cats love high-fat smells. To them a biscuit smells like:
✔ Milk
✔ Cream
✔ Ghee/butter
✔ Wheat toasted in fat
But their digestive system isn’t built to handle such foods.
Are Any Biscuits Safe for Cats?
There are two important distinctions:
1) Human biscuits
❌ Not recommended — may contain sugar, salt, dairy, chocolate or spices.
Safe only in emergency as one tiny crumb occasionally.
2) Cat biscuits (commercial treats)
✔ Formulated for cats
✔ High in protein
✔ Digestible
✔ No sugar
So if your cat loves “biscuits,” choose cat treats, not human ones.
Can Cats Eat Digestive Biscuits or Marie Biscuits?
Many cat owners think:
“But digestive biscuits are mild and plain — so maybe fine?”
Still not recommended.
Even a simple Marie biscuit contains:
- Wheat flour
- Sugar
- Palm oil or butter
- Leavening agents
None of these are required in a cat’s diet.
A cat can nibble a piece occasionally with no harm, but feeding it regularly may lead to weight gain and digestive issues.
Different Types of Biscuits — Safe or Not?
| Biscuit Type | Safe? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain Marie / Digestive | Not recommended | Sugar + carbs + no nutrition |
| Cream-filled biscuits | Dangerous | High sugar + lactose |
| Chocolate biscuits | Highly toxic! | NEVER feed to cats |
| Salted crackers | Unsafe | High sodium → kidney strain |
| Butter cookies | Unsafe | High fat → pancreatitis risk |
| Homemade unsweetened biscuit | Still unnecessary | No nutrition for cats |
So while a crumb won’t kill your cat, biscuits should not be part of their diet.
If Your Cat Ate a Biscuit What Should You Do?
If it was a plain biscuit:
- Offer fresh water
- Do not give more
- Monitor for vomiting/loose stool for 12–24 hours
If the biscuit contained chocolate, raisins or xylitol:
EMERGENCY — Contact a vet immediately
Toxic reactions may include:
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Collapse
Never wait if a toxic ingredient was present.
Better & Safe Alternatives to Biscuits
If your cat is begging while you’re eating tea biscuits, instead offer:
Cat-approved snacks
✔ Cooked chicken pieces
✔ Freeze-dried fish treats
✔ Small boiled egg portions
✔ Cat biscuits/treats from a pet store
✔ A spoon of plain wet food
Tiny fruit/veg snacks (rarely as treat)
• A bit of banana
• A small cucumber slice
• A pea or two
(only occasionally, very small amounts)
If you’re interested in safer treats, you might also like:
🟢 Can cats eat banana?
🟢 Can cats eat cucumber?
🟢 Can cats eat chicken?
Can Kittens Eat Biscuits?
Kittens are far more sensitive.
Even licking biscuit crumbs may upset their stomach.
Why biscuits are worse for kittens:
- Their digestive system is still developing
- They need protein for growth
- Too much sugar can weaken immunity
So the answer is no, kittens should not eat biscuits at all.
Can Cats Eat Biscuits Every Day?
No, not even a plain one.
Daily biscuit feeding may lead to:
❗ Obesity
❗ Diabetes
❗ Dental decay
❗ Digestive upset
❗ Nutrition imbalance
Cats need meat-based protein, not flour & sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try redirecting with cat-appropriate treats instead. Cats often beg out of habit or curiosity, not hunger. You can offer a tiny piece once in a while, but it’s better to switch to cat biscuits or small chicken pieces. Over time, cats can learn that biscuits are not food for them.
No — often worse. Many sugar-free biscuits contain xylitol, a sweetener that can be deadly for cats. Even without xylitol, artificial sweeteners aren’t safe for felines. So sugar-free does not mean cat-safe.
Yes, especially with regular feeding. High-carb foods increase the risk of obesity, diabetes and dental disease. Biscuits don’t provide vital amino acids like taurine, so replacing meals with biscuits slowly harms health. Occasional crumbs won’t kill them — but repeated habit can.
Only if they are baked without sugar, salt, seasoning or butter — and even then, they offer no real nutrition. You can bake cat-friendly treats from chicken, egg or tuna instead — far healthier and tastier for them.
Final Verdict Should Cats Eat Biscuits?
Cats can eat a small crumb of a plain biscuit, but they should not eat biscuits regularly. Biscuits are high in carbohydrates, sugar, fat and salt — which cats aren’t built to digest.
A single bite is unlikely to cause harm, but long-term feeding can lead to serious health problems. If your cat loves crunchy snacks, switch to cat treats or protein-rich alternatives, not bakery biscuits.
Your cat will be healthier and happier in the long run.