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When it comes to treating our fur babies to all of the goodness that life has to offer, many feline parents find themselves wondering which special treats and snacks are healthy and safe. A frequently asked question is whether or not cats can consume peanut butter, or if it’s even a good option. We know that dogs love the creamy goodness of peanut butter, but can cats enjoy it to their fullest too?
In today’s article, we’ll talk about all there is to know about PB for cats. It’s important for pet parents to be informed about the possible risks before deciding whether or not this new treat is right for their feline friend.
Well, the answer to whether or not cats can eat peanut butter isn’t quite just a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I’ll explain. Peanut butter isn’t on the list for potentially poisonous foods for cats. With that being said though, just because something isn’t toxic or poisonous to cats, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good for them either.
Veterinarians often compare PB for cats to donuts for people. Are donuts poisonous for us humans? Obviously no, but we certainly shouldn’t be eating them on a regular basis. The same would go for cats consuming peanut butter.
One of the main reasons why veterinarians advise against peanut butter for felines is due to the fact that it lacks nutritional benefit. Cats are meat eaters, thus, their diet should consist of lean proteins and a wide array of meats and fish. It’s likely that we don’t have to tell you that peanut butter doesn’t quite fit in any of those categories.
In addition, PB doesn’t have minerals or vitamins that your cat absolutely needs to function optimally. More so, peanut butter tends to have the opposite effect on cats.
Due to the simple nature of peanut butter being so sticky and thick, it is a potential choking hazard for cats. Even if you only give them a small amount, it can be highly dangerous. If you do choose to give your cat peanut butter, it’s important to keep a close eye on them while they enjoy. Make sure to have fresh water close by. Cats shouldn’t be left alone with a mouth full of peanut butter (for more reasons than listed above).
As scary as it sounds, your feline may have an unknown peanut allergy. Just like us humans, cats are susceptible to food allergies that can quickly lead to a life-threatening reaction, if the allergy is extremely severe. Unfortunately, you may find out that your cat has a peanut butter allergy after they’ve been treated for it. For many feline owners, the risk of a potentially serious allergic reaction just isn’t worth it.
Be sure to look for the following allergy symptoms. Cats are known to have allergies yes, allergies they were born with or allergies they’ve developed over time. It’s important to be able to fully recognize the signs in order to alleviate whatever is causing their occurring symptoms.
If you feel that your cat may be suffering from any type of an allergic reaction, immediately seek medical attention. Do not delay in getting your four-legged furry friend the emergency treatment they need.
It’s no surprise that PB is a high-calorie snack. Thus, if your cat is struggling with weight management and weight gain, you’ll definitely want stay far away from peanut butter.
In addition, PB contains harmful fats, aka trans-fatty acids. These trans-fatty acids develop during the manufacturing process, allowing peanut butter to have a longer shelf life. These fats can be highly dangerous for your feline (and you too).
Peanut butter can lead to a laundry list of stomach issues. Many cats may suffer from nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, even just from a small amount of peanut butter.
Peanut butter contains aflatoxins. These toxins can be harmful to liver and kidneys, with potential harm to cause cancer.
Many feline parents may not know that peanut butter is more often than not, an ingredient in pest poison. This is simply due to the fact that animals tend to love the taste of PB. This is a serious red flag if you cat likes exploring outside your home and stumbles upon rat poison, thinking it’s a yummy treat.
In the majority of cases, we don’t advise giving your cat peanut butter. However, it may be appropriate for certain cases. We can all agree to the fact that pills and cats don’t usually work out smoothly. In these instances, peanut butter can be used as a tool to help coat the medicine and ensure that your feline swallows it whole. If you choose to use peanut butter this way, it is crucial you use the smallest amount possible. If the medication is for a chronic ailment or condition, talk to your vet about the different ways to administer the medicine, as peanut butter use daily, isn’t the best option.
Keeping what we’ve discussed so far fresh in your mind, there are a few things that pet parents should be aware of if they do choose to purchase peanut butter for kitties. Again, we do not recommend PB as a treat or snack for cats.
Recently, there has been an anti-sugar health trend that ignited companies to completely hide any amount of sugar in their products. However, sugar is what makes their products sweet, so these companies had to substitute the sugar for something else that causes the same effect. The infamous ingredient - xylitol.
Many pet parents didn’t know that xylitol is extremely toxic to their dogs and cats. Since many pet parents weren’t aware of this, they continued to feed PB to their animals, not knowing that xylitol was an ingredient. Furthermore, countless deaths happened to too many animals because of xylitol.
The following peanut butter brands below STILL contain the deadly ingredient, xylitol. DO NOT buy the following PB brands:
It’s important that you double check the labels on any food that you plan on feeding your furry friend. You never know what or when a company may change their ingredients. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pets!
Even if you work to avoid xylitol, it doesn’t mean that peanut butter is completely safe. If no xylitol is present, you can count on a whole lotta sugar taking its place! An excessive sugar intake and your cat is not a match made in heaven. Here’s why…
Consider health conditions like bacterial infections, parasitic infestations, yeast infections, and cancer. You may not realize that these very different ailments all have one major thing in common - sugar, sugar, sugar! The more sugar your cat eats, the more issues that could potentially arise. Sugar intake can cause a small health condition to worsen in the blink of an eye.
Also, consuming excess sugar may directly lead to:
As you’ve read, peanut butter isn’t necessarily worth the risk for your kitty. Luckily, there are multiple alternatives to peanut butter. Our personal favorite is pumpkin!
Here at PETLY CBD, we are definite fans of canned pumpkin for cats. After reviewing the great benefits that it can have for your feline, we feel you should know too!
The following are benefits of canned pumpkin for your feline:
Pet parents should be aware that they are purchasing canned pumpkin that does not contain any salt additives or sugars. Buying canned pumpkin pie filling will have the opposite effect on your cat, avoid it at all costs!
If you’re a cat parent that tries to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest health trends, then you’ve probably heard about CBD. Derived from the hemp plant, CBD oil is showing promise as a safe and effective way to treat our pet’s conditions and ailments.
In terms of adding a tasty treat to your cat’s diet, we recommend choosing a product like our Feline Droppers. Our droppers contain two natural compounds that support your feline’s health - broad-spectrum hemp extract and MCT coconut oil. As always, make sure you are giving your feline the appropriate dosage to avoid any stomach upset.
At the end of the day, we know you want nothing but the best for your precious four-legged furry friend. When it comes to peanut butter and cats, we recommend not to give your cat peanut butter. The possible rewards aren’t worth the possible risks involved. There are countless treats available that can benefit your feline’s health and wellness, rather than worsen it.
As always, we recommend talking with your holistic veterinarian regarding whether or not your feline may benefit from any new food before deciding to implement it into their everyday life. All cats are different, as you know. Your vet will be able to help guide you with a path that best suits your cat’s individual health needs.
