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This review guide was updated in February 2019.
Before making any changes to your pet’s diet, always consult your veterinarian beforehand.
The simple answer is yes in moderation, however, there are tastier and healthier treats you can feed your cat.
Cat owners are usually anxious about the effects of peanut butter on their cat, however, if your pet has consumed a tiny bit of peanut butter you really shouldn’t be too worried. It is quite normal to feed your cat human food from time to time, while we have also compiled a guide of 34 types of food dogs can and can’t eat.
To help ease your worries we have answered some of the most common questions we get asked about peanut butter in relation to our feline friends. You might be surprised to find that this is actually quite a common topic that comes up amongst pet owners. Just like how its normal to ask whether you can use human shampoo on your cat, the same goes for feeding them normal foods like peanut butter as welll.
If ever, when should I let my cat eat peanut butter?
As already mentioned, although peanut butter is safe and nontoxic it shouldn’t be an item you feed to your cat on regular basis.
However, if your cat has consumed a small amount of peanut butter it will be reassuring to discover that the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) does not include peanut butter as a poisonous and hazardous food item to cats.
This may mean you decide to give your cat peanut butter every once in awhile but we really wouldn’t recommend any more than that.
If you do decide to feed your cat peanut butter just a small amount will do.
Some cat owners may use peanut butter to entice their cats into taking medication. This is because some cat owners complain about how hard it is to medicate their pets, especially when using oral medication. and although peanut butter can be a solution there are probably healthier alternatives for you to use. Saying that the sweetness of the peanut butter often helps neutralize the bitterness and awful flavor of the medicine and can also help conceal the pill you want to give to your cat so if they refuse the medication when disguised with any other item of food you could use peanut butter in small amounts.
How much peanut butter can I give to my cat?
Again, peanut butter is not for daily consumption.
Just like us humans, when your cat consumes too much of a good thing they will feel uncomfortable or worse suffer from various stomach issues.
Not only that, but consumed with its own peanut butter isn’t the healthiest of foods. Your will want to provide your pet a far more rounded and nutritiously complete diet in order for it to live a happy life.
Peanut butter contains fats and carbohydrates and too much of it may damage your cat’s health.
It is important to remember cats are carnivores and their digestive system is designed to break down proteins and not too many fats and carbohydrates. Peanut butter is also sticky so it can cause choking and blockage in the throat if too much is consumed.
A small amount of peanut butter smeared will keep your cat busy licking their sweet treat but remember, don’t spoil your cats if you want them to stay healthy.
Are there any health benefits in feeding peanut butter to cats?
Peanuts are known to be very rich in proteins, fiber, vitamin A and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium. So does this mean that when your cat consumes peanut butter, they also consume the vitamins and minerals contained in peanuts? Is peanut butter beneficial to your cat’s health?
Animal nutritionists suggest not to rely on peanut butter for your cat’s nutrition. Although peanut butter contains protein which cats need, the protein from peanuts is plant-based while cats are meat-eaters.
What will happen to my cat after consuming peanut butter?
If consumed in a small amount, peanut butter is unlikely to be damaging to your pet. However, consuming too much peanut butter may have adverse effects. In the long term, your pet may suffer from diabetes because of the high sugar and fat content while short-term dangers include proneness of choking because peanut butter is sticky in the mouth and throat.
Stomach upset is also a possibility because some cats won’t be able to easily digest plant matter and peanut butter is plant-based. Stomach upsets in cats have side effects such as vomiting, indigestion, and diarrhea so keep an eye on your cat’s litter after they have consumed it to see how their stomach has reacted.
What should I do if my cat has eaten too much peanut butter?
As the cat owner, you should be aware of your cat’s behavior especially if it is uncomfortable or sick.
If your cat consumed too much peanut butter, be on the look out for symptoms such as choking, stomach upset, weakness. If you’re concerned about the amount your cat may have consumed consult your veterinarian.
So, can my cat really eat peanut butter?
Technically, YES. Cats can still eat peanut butter. But as cat owners, we all want the best for our beloved felines which means although it may not be toxic and poisonous it has no real nutritional value for cats.
This means although you can feed your cats with peanut butter occasionally, too much of it may also be dangerous and there are far healthier treats you could be giving them instead.