If you’re looking to give your cat a treat, or they just like to try to sneak food from the table, you may be wondering, “Can cats eat peanut butter?” Peanut butter doesn’t make the ideal cat snack, but it’s not technically poisonous for them either. Learn if peanut butter is bad for cats and more cat care tips from The Rescue Vets!
Do Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
In short, the answer is no. Since cats are carnivores, they rely on meat for nutrition. Much like cookies aren’t the best for us, peanut butter provides cats with no nutritional value and an excess of certain things, such as:
- High Fat: Peanut butter contains trans-fatty acids in order to make sure it’s shelf-stable. Too much of this type of fat is bad for cats.
- High Sodium: Salt is also added to most brands of peanut butter and too much isn’t healthy for your pet.
- Calorie Dense: Indoor cats are already prone to weight gain, which can lead to a variety of health issues. Feeding calorie-dense peanut butter can contribute to this problem.
Is it Safe for Cats to Eat Peanut Butter?
Is peanut butter bad for cats? While standard peanut butter is not poisonous, it can cause some health problems for your feline friend. Some issues that can be caused by peanut butter include:
- Choking Hazard: With the thick consistency, even a small amount of peanut butter could get caught in your cat’s throat.
- Allergies: Like humans, cats can also have peanut allergies. The severity of these allergies can vary, with symptoms ranging from itchy skin and ear infections to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
- Gastrointestinal Upset: Consuming peanut butter can cause cats to experience diarrhea, gas, vomiting, and stomach pains.
- Xylitol Poisoning: Demand for products low in sugar has led some companies to replace the sugar in their products with xylitol. Unfortunately, this product is extremely toxic to animals. If you do attempt to give your pet peanut butter, make sure it is a xylitol-free version.
- Accidental Poisoning: Peanut butter is often mixed with poison to attract and eliminate rodents and insects. If your cat is used to having peanut butter as a treat, it’s possible they will end up being poisoned by accident.
Need to schedule an appointment with a Veterinarian?
Please contact Springbrook Animal Care Center.