Whether you are snacking on something or making a delicious sandwich, you may notice your cats hovering around you. They usually do it as a way of pleading you to feed them whatever you eat. And because you love your cats so much, you want to feed them everything that excites them. But you may wonder, is it okay to feed your cats everything you eat?
If your household has both dogs and cats, you might have surely noticed your dogs loving this delicious peanut butter treat. Dogs are enthusiastic fans of peanut butter and enjoy eating it. So, the question is, is peanut butter safe for your cats as well? Will it harm your cat? Can your cat eat peanut butter daily? If you have all sorts of similar questions, this article will answer them all.
Other than cat foods, people often end up giving human food to their felines. When some human foods are safe and healthy for cats, most are not. So, you must be very careful when it comes to feeding your cat as any foul in it may adversely affect your cat’s health.
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is not at all poisonous for your cat. However, you should not feed it to your cats. Many households use peanut butter as a means of medicating their dogs. If you want to do the same with your feline, then feeding them a tiny bit of peanut butter mixed with medicines will not harm them at all. However, other than this, you should not feed your cats peanut butter, as it may degrade their health.
Here is everything you need to know about why you should not feed peanut butter to your cats. Also, some healthy treat substitutes are mentioned below:
Peanut Butter Ingredients:
The ingredients used in peanut butter are not at all poisonous for your cat. Peanut butter does not make it to the list of ‘toxic foods for cats’ under any survey and research. However, it is not healthy as well. Different peanut butter companies use different ingredients. While organic companies may use only peanuts and salts, other commercial companies may use sugar, vegetable oil, artificial preservatives, etc. These ingredients are not healthy for human beings as well, let alone your cats.
Zero Nutritional Value:
Cats belong to the carnivorous family. They naturally love eating fish and meat. And also, they get all the required nutrition from a properly balanced diet based on meat and fish. So, along with this diet, you can add various cat treats to keep your cat healthy.
Peanut butter does not promote your cat’s wellbeing. It contains no minerals or vitamins that may benefit your cat. Instead, the ingredients in peanut butter may degrade your cat’s wellbeing.
Health Issues and Side effects:
If you feed peanut butter to your cats regularly, your precious cat may suffer from various health issues.
Peanut butter contains harmful fats that may lead your cats to be overweight. Also, high contents of fats can lead to stomach issues in cats.
This delicious treat has high-calorie content. This is also responsible for weight gain. If your cat suffers from a weight issue, you should completely avoid feeding peanut butter to them. It can also lead to other health issues such as heart problems and diabetes.
Other side effects peanut butter can cause are vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, etc.
Unknown Allergy:
It is quite rare, but there is a chance that your cat may have an allergy to peanuts, and you may be unaware of it. In this case, if you accidentally feed your cats with peanut butter, this can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Cats generally have various allergies and are likely to develop one over time. It is best suggested to visit the vet to find out if your cats have any food allergies. In this way, you can avoid any unfortunate situations.
Some common symptoms of allergies include vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, excessive itching, or sudden weight loss. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, contact your vet at the earliest.
Peanut Butter may result in choking:
Peanut butter has a thick consistency. It is very sticky, as well. So any treat with such a thick consistency may choke your feline when they try to swallow it. Make sure to keep such food out of your cat’s reach.
If ever, you try to feed your cat some peanut butter, do not leave the room, and keep an eye on them until they are done snacking. Also, keep enough water near them in case they need to drink some to swallow the peanut butter.
Peanut Butter can lead to Unexpected Poisoning:
Many households use peanut butter as an ingredient in many pest control methods. Peanut butter is commonly mixed with rat poison as a way of luring rodents to kill them.
Thus, if you feed peanut butter to your cats, and they happen to meet such unfavorable situations, they might want to eat the familiar treat. This could lead to severe health hazards or even death.
So, it is best suggested not to feed peanut butter to your feline friends and keep them unaware of it, to prevent any undesirable situations.
Certain Exceptions on Feeding Peanut Butter to your Cats:
Cats licking off peanut butter from a spoon:
On certain occasions, you may keep your peanut butter spoon on the counter and notice your cat snacking on the leftover. This is normal for any cat, and there is no need to worry about it. If you want to treat your cat with some bits of peanut butter, then letting your feline friend lick it off from a spoon or your hand is fine.
This way, you prevent your cat from swallowing, thereby avoiding the risk of choking. Also, your cats get to enjoy the treat safely.
As a method of medication:
People commonly use peanut butter as a way of medicating their pets. Pets are reluctant to take any medication because of its obvious bitter taste. So many households crush the medicines and mix them in a tiny bit of peanut butter and feed it to their pets.
This method is commonly used on dogs. There is no harm in doing the same for your cats. While doing so, just make sure that the amount of peanut butter you use is as tiny as possible.
Some Healthy Substitute Treats:
Peanut butter is not the only option to treat your cats. Moreover, it has no health benefits for your cats. Instead, it has adverse effects. So, if you want to keep your feline friend happy and treat them with delicious snacks now and then, you can use other healthy treats.
Most people tend to feed human food to their cats. Here are some healthy feline-friendly human foods which you can feed your cats:
- Whole grains like oats or barley. But make sure to cook and smash them before feeding them to your cats.
- Cooked eggs.
- Most cats do not like vegetables. But you can give bits of healthy cooked vegetables now and then.
- Another great treat you can give your cats is bread.
- Fruits like apples, blueberries, and bananas are feline-friendly. Just make sure to either make a paste or give them in tiny pieces.
- Pumpkin is one of the healthiest treats for your cats as well.
Foods to completely avoid:
- Chocolates
- Raisins and grapes
- It is best to avoid dairy products.
- Onion or garlic
Some of the most common questions asked by feline-owners regarding peanut butter:
What to do if your cat suffers from post-Peanut Butter intake?
If your cat has eaten a tiny bit of peanut butter, there is nothing to worry about. However, if your cat shows some signs of allergy, this is a serious case, and you should act fast.
If there are any signs of choking or allergy, you should immediately take her to the vet.
Is peanut butter toxic for cats?
No, peanut butter is not toxic for cats. It will not poison or kill your cats. But it is not healthy, and too much of it can even lead to life-threatening situations.
How much peanut butter can I give to my cat?
If at all, you want to feed peanut butter to your cat, you can go ahead. But make sure only to let them lick it off from a surface or give them in small bits as to avoid choking. Also, do not feed it regularly.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, peanut butter is not poisonous or life-threatening for your cats. However, it does no good to them as well and should be avoided. There are no proven benefits of peanut butter for your cats. However, there are several potential threats to this deliciously creamy treat. Your cats might hover around you or get excited every time they see you eat some peanut butter. But it is best not to give them any bits of it. Instead, if they start acting all needy, you can give them other healthy treats.