Native in the South-Central parts of Mexico and the United States, Pecans are a form of nut produced by Hickory trees. Pecan means nuts that need a stone to crack open, and the word is derived from an Algonquin.
In resemblance, pecans are similar to walnuts. However, unlike walnuts, they appear smoother, longer, and slenderer. Pecan shells are also easier to crack than walnuts.
Nutritional Facts of Pecans
Prized for its high level of omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidants, eating pecans will help in improving the health of your heart, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent diseases. There are also scientific facts related to eating pecan nuts. It shows that people who eat a handful of pecans daily can bring their cholesterols to a healthy level.
Pecans are also a good alternative for vegetarians as they consist of high proteins and fiber, but low on saturated fat. If you are planning to add pecans to your diet, then it is going to be a good choice as the nuts are filled with vitamins and minerals (including magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine, and manganese).
Pecans in your Household
Introducing pecan into your lifestyle is a healthy move for humans, but have you ever wondered if it is going to be healthy to feed your cat as well? There will be situations where you accidentally drop some food on the floor, and your cat comes running along to devour the food. As a cat parent, thoughts must have crossed your mind when you have wondered if you accidentally drop a nut and your cat gobbles it up. Is it safe for your cat?
The answer is, yes, cats can eat pecan nuts, but it isn’t recommended as a part of their diet.
Negatives of Feeding Pecans to your Cat
Pecans are not allergic to most cats. There will be some cats that are allergic to it and will show signs of vomiting, diarrhea, and hotspots. After consuming pecans, if your cat shows any of these signs, then be extra careful not to let it near the nuts. Pecans are effective only if your cat ingests them.
Another negative of feeding pecan, to your cat, is that these nuts have very high-fat content which isn’t healthy for daily consumption. Although pecan nuts aren’t poisonous for your cat in most cases, veterinarians strongly advise against feeding it. Feeding pecan to your cat can lead to obesity and cause pancreatitis or kidney failures in extreme cases.
Illnesses like kidney failures and pancreatitis are severe for cats as they will not be able to recover from it, especially in the case of older cats. You must avoid feeding your cat with food that may cause harm to its health.
What if your cat ingested pecan nuts?
If your cat ate a lot of pecan nut or it is allergic to the nuts, then you cannot do much about it. The best recommendation is to make your cat drink lots of water or feed some liquid with the help of a syringe. Immediately take your cat to the vet. Don’t panic if your cat starts vomiting on the way. However, if you prolong the situation, then even the vets will not be able to do anything to revive your cat.
Preventing your Cat from Eating Harmful Food
The well-being and health of your cat depending on what you feed it. Keeping away food that may cause harm to the health of your cat is the best way to keep them safe. You should also make sure that your pet has a diet with a rich balance of proteins and vitamins.
Tips to prevent your cat from consuming food that is harmful
- Keep the food out of reach for your cat. If you have a curious cat, then it is advisable to put locks on your cabinet with cat-proof.
- While cooking or eating, make sure that your cat isn’t on top of the counter or the table.
- There are cat foods specially manufactured for them, so feed them that instead of table scraps.
- Whenever you have guests over at your place, see that they do not feed any cookies or cakes containing nuts to your cat.
Rush your cat to the nearest vet immediately if you notice or are suspicious of any unusual behavior. Your cat must have ingested something harmful at that time, and you may need to make an urgent trip to the vet. Consuming some of the human foods may cause a slight discomfort on your cat, but others can be far dangerous than you can imagine.
Feeding Nuts to Cats
On a day to day life, we snack on nuts and use them in various preparations. There are different versions of nuts, and we relish each for its unique taste and health benefits.
As omnivores, the human system is equipped to digest nuts, but cats will have difficulty digesting anything else apart from meat and meat products. Although nuts are known to be good for humans, the rich source of fat content in it can be harmful to your cat.
These days the markets are stocked with assorted nuts, such as roasted nuts, salted nuts, etc. even the amount of salt we normally add
to our daily food can be too much sodium for your cat. What is normal to humans will be excessive for your cat, as sodium poisoning is a threat that we need to seriously consider before feeding anything to cats.
In conclusion, overall, it is a bad idea to feed pecan nuts or any other nuts which can be harmful to your cat. Once in a while should be fine, considering that your cat is not allergic to it. Accidentally ingesting one or two pecan nuts will still be fine.
The market is filled with treats, developed solely for your feline friend. If you want to treat your cat for being a good cat, then the best thing you could do is find alternative treats which will be good for its health as well as enjoyable. These furry friends are mischievous and clever, but your responsibility as its owner is to make sure that your cat lives a healthy and long life.