Can cats eat peanut butter? The answer to this question is not black and white. Cats can eat peanut butter, but it should never be a part of their regular diet. Otherwise, this human food can bring rise to many feline health issues.
In this article, we will talk about the dangers of peanut butter to your cat and the ideal situations when you can give it to her.
The Risks of Feeding Peanut Butter to Cats
Peanut butter has many qualities that make it unhealthy for cats to consume daily. It may even contain ingredients that may cause life-threatening health issues in felines.
Let us take a look at them one by one to understand why peanut butter is not the best treat to give to your pet.
1. Lack of Nutritional Value
As obligate carnivores, cats’ natural diet mainly consists of meat, which they get most of their nutrients from.
So feeding them peanut butter will not enhance their diet. It might even cause nutrient imbalance instead,d as this human food is full of empty calories.
2. High in Fats
Cats require moderate amounts of fats for their body to remain healthy. Although peanut butter is rich in fatty acids, the concentrations are too excessive for felines.
2 tablespoons of peanut butter provide about 15 grams of fat. It can easily take up most of your pet’s daily fat intake.
Consuming large amounts of high-fat human foods can lead to many health problems, such as gastrointestinal issues, unhealthy weight gain, and cardiac disorders.
3. Loaded with Sodium
Many peanut butter brands use salt as a flavour enhancer. It is true that sodium is important to keep your cat’s organs functioning normally, but it is also dangerous to ingest too much of this mineral.
Binging on salted peanut butter increases the risk of salt poisoning. This condition induces distressing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive urination, and even seizures.
Peanut butter with high salt content can also exacerbate certain pre-existing illnesses in cats, such as heart issues and renal problems.
Peanut butter is safe to share with healthy cats. However, feeding it to felines with unresolved ailments is greatly discouraged.
4. Full of Sugar
Some peanut butter is heavily concentrated with sugar to make them sweeter. This ingredient has no place in your feline friend’s diet.
Cats cannot digest sugar well. Eating copious amounts of it will result in stomach upset. Excessive sugar intake is also linked to other ailments, such as diabetes and tooth decay.
Also, keep in mind that cats do not have a sweet tooth because their tongues lack receptors for sweetness.
5. Xylitol Poisoning
In relation to sugar, countless peanut butters contain artificial sweeteners. The most commonly used is xylitol, which is potentially toxic to cats.
Unlike dogs, felines are less susceptible to the poisonous effects of this sugar substitute. In fact, there is contention about whether ingesting xylitol can induce fatal side effects like hypoglycemia or liver failure in cats.
However, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Any peanut butter brands with xylitol should be kept away from our feline friends.
Another dangerous ingredient commonly found in peanut butter is sodium benzoate, which is a preservative. In moderate doses, it can poison cats too.
6. Choking Hazard
Peanut butter has a thick texture, which can be difficult for felines to swallow. It can get stuck in your cat’s throat, leading her to choke.
The chunky peanut butter variety is more dangerous than the smooth one. Apart from its gooey consistency, it contains pieces of peanuts, increasing the chances of accidental choking in cats.
7. Allergic Reactions
Some cats are allergic to peanut butter. If you are unsure that your feline friend has this type of condition, feed her this human food with caution.
Only offer her a small amount and closely monitor her for signs of allergic reactions, including:
- Hives
- Itchy skin
- Poor coat health
- Eye or nose discharge
- Gastric distress
Take your cat to the vet immediately if she exhibits any of these symptoms. Lack of timely treatment can lead to fatal complications like anaphylaxis.
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When Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter offers little to no health benefits to cats, so this human food should be rarely fed to them. It can be used as a pill pocket where you can hide medications or as an occasional snack.
Before feeding it to her, make sure that the peanut butter doesn’t contain toxic ingredients such as xylitol and sodium benzoate.
Moreover, skip feeding it to your cat if it has high concentrations of salt and sugar.
The safest type of peanut butter to feed to felines is unsweetened and unsalted 100% all-natural peanut butter.
How Much Peanut Butter Can a Cat Have?
Peanut butter for cats must be eaten in moderation to avoid unwanted side effects from developing. Limit your cat’s consumption to half a tablespoon of peanut butter.
Only offer it to her twice a week. Always have fresh water prepared so she can easily wash it down.
Make adjustments to the amount of cat food you feed her on days when she has peanut butter as a treat. Reduce it appropriately to prevent your feline friend from gaining extra weight.
FAQs About Cats and Peanut Butter
1. Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter Ice Cream?
Cats can eat peanut butter ice cream, but it does not mean they should. This human food usually contains dairy, which can cause stomach upset as most cats are lactose intolerant.
Most store-bought ice creams are also high in sugar and contain preservatives that can harm your pet’s health.
2. Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter and Jelly?
Cats can eat peanut butter and jelly. However, we do not encourage pet owners to actively share this snack with their feline companions. It contains too much sugar, fats, and carbohydrates, which can make them sick.
3. Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter Cookies?
No, cats cannot eat peanut butter cookies because it is full of calories, sodium, and sugar.
Allowing them to consume it frequently or in excessive quantities can lead to health issues like obesity, kidney problems, and diabetes.
4. What Happens If My Cat Licks Peanut Butter?
In most cases, nothing alarming will happen if your cat licks peanut butter. But keep a close eye on her for potential allergic reactions, especially if it is her first time consuming this food.
5. What Can I Give My Cat Instead of Peanut Butter?
Plain-cooked meats, eggs, and low-fat and low-sodium cheese are the types of food you can give to your cat instead of peanut butter.
Feline-friendly fruits and veggies such as blueberries, bananas, carrots, and pumpkins are great choices too.
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Conclusion
Peanut butter is not the healthiest human food to offer to felines because it is high in fats, sugar, and sodium. Some peanut butter products use potentially toxic ingredients such as xylitol and sodium benzoate.
So feed your cat peanut butter with caution and in small amounts. Opt for the 100% natural, unsweetened, and unsalted variety for her safety.
Many types of human food have questionable effects on your cat’s health. Before sharing any of your snacks with her, read our article “What Foods Can Cats Eat?” to know which of them are bad for her.