Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?

cat in bed drinking

Can my cat digest peanut butter?

That is a common question among cat owners, and we all want to make sure our little friends only eat safe and good foods that won’t harm them in any way.

Cats of all breeds are naturally “obligate carnivores”.

This means that they require animal protein and animal fat as their main diet and it is very important for them to get enough of that.

Of course, like humans, they also require other nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids among other things as well.

As pet lovers, we do love to spoil them, like giving them extra snacks and treats from time to time…

Yet, the question remains the same and you may want to know if your favorite family feline can eat peanut butter.

Is it safe to give them peanut butter and are there any possible health problems that could occur in giving them peanut butter?

We don’t want our pets to get sick after all…

Peanut butter in small amounts won’t harm your cat but it is generally not considered a good idea to give it to them, as it offers no real nutritional value. Also, some types of peanut butter contain “xylitol” which can actually harm your cat and be damaging to it.

What is safe for one cat may not be safe for another, and you should always consult with your veterinarian before you decide to give peanut butter treats to your best feline friend.

For example, there are cats with extremely sensitive stomachs that may not ingest this snack very well.

Some cat breeds are known for having more sensitive stomachs actually but it does depend upon each individual kitty as well.

Knowing the do’s and don’t of what your cat can eat will save them much trouble later on, and you too of course…

Bombay cats, American Curls, Himalayan, and Siamese cat breeds are known to have more delicate digestive systems in general.

The Rex, Sphynx, and Ragdoll breeds are also known to have specific digestive problems if fed the wrong type of foods.

For this reason it is important to keep your specific cat breed in mind always when you are picking out foods for it.

can cats eat peanut butter? is peanut butter bad for cats? how much peanut butter can cats eat.

Can My Cat Eat Raw Peanuts?

Since peanuts (roasted) are the basis in the making of peanut butter, let’s also look into if raw peanuts are safe for felines to eat?

Raw peanuts are not toxic to cats.

If your cat is given an occasional peanut, it is okay. They will either eat it or smack it around the room for a while.

It is just the ingredients used in making the common commercial peanut butter that changes this dynamic a bit.

Just be mindful, that your raw peanut should NOT be covered in chocolate as that can be incredibly harmful to cats.

Also make sure it are not the salty peanuts, and that they don’t contain a husk.

Also, giving them a whole peanut is taking a chance that it will go down their throat safely. Perhaps you should break it up before giving it to your beautiful little feline to be on the safer side.

Is Peanut Butter Safe For My Cat?

The answer to giving your cat peanut butter is a cautious “yes.”

When we say yes, it is still not all that simple though.

Dogs are known to love great snacks consisting of peanuts but the same cannot be said of all cats.

Some cats will enjoy its taste and texture, while other cat breeds will turn their pretty nose up at its scent and taste immediately.

Peanut butter is not exactly a healthy treat for any cat.

Like humans, however, this delicious snack has a creamy, nutty texture that anyone, even certain cats can begin to enjoy in some cases.

But if you feed them too much of it, you may be endangering their digestive system.

Many human cat parents believe that since peanut butter contains a great deal of protein and is low in carbs that it is a good option for cats who require protein as part of their daily diet.

Unfortunately, feeding this roasted peanut and addictive snack food to cats on a regular basis is not a good idea at all.

Veterinarians do not categorically list peanut butter as a harmful treat for cats, but they do agree that it should not be a regular treat given to your feline friends.

No, peanut butter is not necessarily toxic for cats, but that doesn’t mean that you should feed them this human food.

There are so many better things you could give them instead after all, that they will appreciate more as well.

In addition to normally healthy ingredients, there is also some salt and oil in the making of peanut butter that will not always agree with your cat’s digestive health.

is peanut butter good for cats? giving cats peanut butter. foods to give my cat.

No Nutritional Treat

Peanut butter does have nutritional value for us humans, but there is really no beneficial ingredient value when it comes to cats.

Indigestion can be a problem for cats when human foods are given to them unfortunately.

Their digestive tracts are very different from humans after all.

They can’t easily assimilate peanut butter as we can. Besides, peanut butter is very high in fats and that is not healthy for felines.

Experts understand that a healthier diet for cats should consist of high quality animal-based protein, lots of water, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids.

These fatty acids are very prevalent in cat food and treats for a good reason.

Like humans, omega-3 and omega-6 are needed by the body, but they are important nutrients that must be gotten from the foods eaten and the right diet.

When given on a regular basis, too much fat in any food type can make them gain too much weight which triggers different health-related issues such as diabetes.

Cats as they age, are not as active in most cases like they were when they were young kittens and it is a bigger risk for them considering.

Therefore, their inactivity can’t break down the sugars fast enough to keep a healthy lean weight and they gain too much weight under those circumstances.

All is not lost in giving your cat peanut though, even if it is not recommended to make it a habit.

Veterinarians may suggest that if your cat is taking some type of medication in pill form, you can coat the pill in peanut butter to make things easier.

Choking Problems

Peanut butter is thick and can stick to the roof of your mouth, like many of us are painfully aware of.

Imagine what it would do in your pets mouth and throat…

Even a little peanut butter could potentially be a choking problem for our feline pets.

If you give your cat peanut butter from your finger, it is important that you closely watch them to make sure that it is not a problem for them.

Does Peanut Butter Have Any Value For Cats?

Now that we have talked about not feeding your kitty too much peanut butter, let’s talk about if this nutty snack has any real value to cats.

Experts do claim that peanut butter contains vitamin A.

Vitamin A is known to boost a cat’s immune system, thus protecting them from some illnesses and sicknesses in theory.

Peanut butter also contains “resveratrol” and other healthy minerals that are designed to protect the heart, even in felines.

Other than these two contents, this beloved nutty-tasting snack has no real health benefits other than the protein.

And even so, it is still much better to just give your cat actual nutritious cat food, that was actually created with your cat’s needs in mind instead.

Peanut butter is just not a good thing for cats as a whole, even if it may not kill them.

best coffee beans. shop coffee online. best coffee brands. healthy coffee. lifeboost coffee.

Is Your Cat Allergic To Peanut Butter?

As nutritious and delicious that peanut is for humans, there are some of us who could be allergic to it.

Well, the same is true for cats.

If there is an allergic component to peanut butter for both cats and humans, it can present as a life threatening event. (1.)

Veterinarians and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that peanut allergies in cats can cause some nasty reactions…

Here are several allergic reactions from peanut butter that will cause your cat problems:

  • Indigestion pain and gas
  • Diarrhea
  • Itchiness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Paw chewing
  • Sneezing
  • Skin irritation
  • Vomiting
  • Wheezing

How Much Can My Cat Have?

If you have a cute cat around and are already giving your cat peanut butter, did you check with the vet first to make sure it is okay?

Yes, many cat breeds will love the taste of peanut butter and will readily accept it from you.

Just remember that this global snack contains fats and carbohydrates which are not too good for your animal friend.

If your cat is eating it almost daily, these nutrient-rich ingredients can build up in their digestive system.

Peanut butter is a hard snack not to get addicted to. But when it comes to your cat it is best to steer clear from it or at least practice good moderation.

It won’t harm your cat to give it a small taste once or twice, but I recommend not doing it at all just to make sure they won’t get a taste for it to begin with.

They won’t miss what they haven’t tried after all.

If your cat has put on a little weight over the years, it is probably best that you don’t give them peanut butter treats at all, ever.

Remember how fat peanut butter is for your family cat.

When you reach down to give your cat some from a tablespoon, please note that just two tablespoons of peanut butter contain about 188 fatty calories.

Now that we know how it can affect your cat, pet owners should not continually give it to their family cat, even if they meow almost constantly for it. It is just not good for them so give them something else instead.

Using it for medical reasons is okay, but don’t feed your cat a peanut butter treat, every time you decide to have some.

Your cat can eat it in small quantities, maybe half a teaspoon a couple of times a week would be acceptable.

Best not to do it at all though.

cute grey cat in sofa. cat lying on furniture. funny grey cat photo. sassy cat in sofa.

What Type of Peanut Butter Can My Cat Eat?

If you are giving your cat peanut butter to cover up a pill or just as a tasty snack, make sure to look at its ingredients first.

Our society is fast becoming more ingredient-conscious and aware of what we are eating which is a great thing really.

The same is true for peanut butter, and it is now being made with way less sugar a lot of the time.

However, sugar content is still required in human foods and pet foods…

The substitute for sugar in peanut butter is known as “xylitol”. (2.)

Unfortunately, “xylitol” is toxic to these animals, but not to humans.

Read the contents of your peanut butter snack carefully to make sure it does not contain this unfriendly ingredient before unknowingly giving it to your cat.

Final Words

In summary, cats can eat peanut butter in very small amounts but it is not considered to be good for them really.

If you want to share your peanut butter snack with your cat- stop a minute and think about it’s lack of nutritious value.

It is also considered a bit silly to share your snack with your cat, but I won’t judge.

Peanut butter was not meant for cats, and you should give them regular cat food instead for their own good.

As your cat ages especially, more water, more snuggling, and some fun toys are a better substitute than any peanut butter snack could ever be.

Remember that when cats are fed peanut butter in small amounts, it’s not all bad.

Just don’t make it a habit because it is not nutritious for them.

Besides like their human, they may begin to like eating it more than their own regular food.

This will inevitably lead to dietary problems in the future and an unhealthy weight gain.

Now that you have read all about “can cats can eat peanut butter”, you may also enjoy reading our article about if cats can eat chocolate. (they can’t…)

Share:

Author: Cathour

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *