Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? Is it Safe to Use Peanut Butter to Get Pets to Take Medication?
- Abi
- April 9, 2023
- 1:25 pm
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Peanut butter has become a staple in many households, but can cats eat peanut butter? It’s best not to give your feline friend peanut butter, even to help them take medication, as it’s fattening and salty. It also has no nutritional value to cats.
Peanut butter is an affordable, delicious snack that humans love. Before you offer any of your peanut butter goodies to your pet cat, you should know whether or not cats can safely eat it. Some cats like peanut butter, but it isn’t a healthy choice for animals as it can contain toxic ingredients.
This article will answer the question, ‘Can cats eat peanut butter?’ We’ll discuss why it’s not a good idea to include the treat in your cat’s diet regularly and look at whether you should use peanut butter to disguise medications.
Can cats eat peanut butter?
It’s best not to share peanut butter with your cat, but if your cat has stolen a lick from the edge of your toast, there’s no need to worry as long as it contains no artificial sweeteners like xylitol, as this can be toxic to cats. Always read the label of foods and consult your vet if your pet has accidentally eaten anything that contains xylitol, as it can cause symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, fatigue, and balance issues. In the worse cases, where large amounts of xylitol have been consumed, your pet may suffer from seizures that may prove to be lethal.
There are many other disadvantages to allowing your cat to eat peanut butter, even in small amounts, the main one being that it’s too high in fat. Too much peanut butter can lead to obesity and other health problems in the long term.
It also shouldn’t be used as a regular part of your pet’s diet as it does not provide the necessary vitamins and minerals. Too much peanut butter can also lead to an upset stomach and gastrointestinal distress with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
You should also be aware that peanut butter can contain the following toxic ingredients that can affect the health of your pet:
- Xylitol, a sugar substitute
- Salt, which can cause sodium toxicity in large amounts
- Sugar shouldn’t be included in your pet’s diet; while not toxic, it can cause obesity and associated health issues.
It would be best if you didn’t let your cat eat nuts, as they cannot chew and digest nuts properly, which can lead to blockages and gastral issues. Peanut butter also contains oils that are unhealthy for cats.
Sodium toxicity in cats
Cats that eat too much peanut butter are likely to suffer from sodium toxicity. Roasted peanuts are often used to make peanut butter, and these are very salty. Excessive salt can affect a cat and cause symptoms such as increased thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures. Cats that overeat salt over the long term can also suffer from heart problems.
Can I use peanut butter to get my cat to take medicine?
Many pet owners use peanut butter to disguise medication for their pets. While this may be ok for a dog, it’s important to remember that cats are smaller and have less tolerance to ingredients such as salt. If you want to use peanut butter to get your cat to take a tablet, ensure it’s the non-salted variety and doesn’t contain the artificial sweetener xylitol. Only give your cat a pea-sized amount of natural peanut butter.
Commercial cat foods are best as they are nutritionally formulated for cats, and your pet will be more likely to take liquid medication or a pill if it’s in their regular cat food. Rather than giving your cat peanut butter, hiding medication in wet cat food may be best. If you have trouble giving your cat medication, you can also ask your vet for advice.
Can cats eat peanut butter: Final thoughts
Keeping a close eye on your cat’s diet and health is the best way to ensure they stay happy and healthy! If you give your cat peanut butter, always choose an unsalted variety with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Even though cats can have peanut butter in very small amounts if it helps them take medication, it’s important to remember that it should only be given in small quantities irregularly.
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