Sometimes — with care
A nibble of plain baked bread is harmless to most cats — pointless, but harmless. Raw dough, however, is an emergency, and flavoured breads can be toxic.
Some cats are oddly obsessed with bread, and the occasional bite of plain loaf won’t hurt. It’s empty calories for a carnivore — a cat’s 200-kcal day fills up fast on starch. The serious risks mirror dogs: raw yeast dough expands and ferments in the stomach, producing ethanol (alcohol poisoning plus bloat — true emergency); raisin bread brings kidney risk; garlic/onion breads bring anaemia risk; some sweet breads contain xylitol or chocolate.
A small piece of plain crust now and then for the bread-obsessed cat. Keep rising dough completely out of cat-jumping range — counters are not safe storage from a determined cat. If dough or flavoured bread was eaten, call the vet.
Cats who crave carbs are unusual — try a piece of plain chicken or a cat-grass pot for chewing enrichment.
Related: Can dogs eat bread? · Can cats eat rice? · Can cats eat grapes?
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has eaten something potentially harmful or shows symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Full disclaimer.