| Verdict for cats | Caution |
| Severity | 2 / 5 — Mild — usually stomach upset; watch them. |
| Safe amount | A taste at most |
| Category | Fruit |
| Source | VCA Animal Hospitals — pet health library · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: medium |
Sugar with no benefit for an obligate carnivore, and the pit is an obstruction risk. Not worth offering.
Don't make it a habit. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea or a lost appetite over the next day and call your vet if it doesn't settle or your cat seems unwell.
Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to — it can do more damage than the poison. What we will and won't tell you.
If you're sharing food because you want to treat them, a treat formulated for cats does the job without the guesswork.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. It never appears on a toxic or unsafe verdict and never changes one.
Can dogs eat dates? — Feed with caution to dogs.
Not toxic, but be careful — dates aren't poisonous to cats, and they come with caveats that matter. Sugar with no benefit for an obligate carnivore, and the pit is an obstruction risk. Not worth offering.
Watch for: Vomiting; Diarrhea or loose stools; Loss of appetite; Belly discomfort or unusual tiredness. Some signs lag by a day — call, don't wait.
The safe amount is a taste at most, as an occasional treat rather than a daily habit. Large amounts mainly cause stomach upset; if that doesn't settle within a day, call your vet.