Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? Complete Guide

A yes or no answer if cats can eat peanut butter is debatable, that’s why I wrote this complete guide that goes in-depth to answer every possible question. Even though cats can eat peanut butter and many cats enjoy the flavor of this sweet and salty spread, cat owners should avoid feeding peanut butter to their kitty pet. Peanut butter has little nutritional value for cats, and moreover, some elements, such fat, salt, and artificial sweeteners can be dangerous and even poisonous to cats.

Is Peanut Butter Toxic to Cats?

Cats may not get poisoned by peanut butter itself. However, there are a few components in some varieties of peanut butter that could be dangerous. Cats can be harm or even poisoned by fats, oils, salt, sugar, and additional artificial sweeteners.

Is Peanut Butter Safe for Cats?

Pet cats that consume peanut butter may be at risk of suffering symptoms of bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, peanut butter can choke your pet cat because of the thick, sticky texture that makes it difficult to swallow. Finally, peanut butter can also provoke allergic reactions to your kitty the same way it occurs in humans.

In short answer, peanut butter is just not safe for cats, but if you still decide to feed peanut butter to your cat I recommend not exceeding 10% of their total daily caloric intake. But consider the following reasons why is peanut butter bad for cats.

Why is Peanut Butter Bad for Cats?

Before getting into detail why is peanut butter bad for your cat, I recommend you check the nutrition label for every food before letting your cat eat them. This is essential! Both the number of calories and the presence of other ingredients, bad and toxic chemicals, such as xylitol should be avoided. The appropriate daily caloric intake for your gorgeous cat can be determined with the advice of your pet veterinarian.

Added Xylitol: Peanut butter may contain added xylitol, a sugar alternative frequently found in sugar-free peanut butter. It is possible for cats to develop hypoglycemia or liver failure from ingesting xylitol. I recommend you keep your pet cat safe and away from products containing xylitol.

Choking risk: Because of its thick, occasionally lumpy texture, peanut butter presents a choking risk to cats.  Due to the small size of your cat’s throat and mouth, even a small amount can become risky.

Allergies: Cats, like people, can develop peanut allergies. These allergies can range in intensity and their symptoms can be anything from ear infections and itchy skin to anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.

Digestive problems: Peanut butter is high in fat and sugar, and these ingredients might cause issues to your pet’s gut. Most peanut butter brands include a lot of salt, which is an element that can mess up their digestive system and can exacerbate cardiac or kidney disorders when consumed in excess.

Weight gain: Sugar additives in peanut butter contain more calories dense. Additionally, weight gain is a high potential risk due to the caloric richness of the food, especially for indoor pets or overweight cats.

How much peanut butter can a cat have?

If you decide to feed peanut butter to your cat, the vet recommends no more than half a tablespoon of peanut butter and should be consume by cats twice per week only.   Cats should consume 90% of their calories from food that are specifically prepare for them. Only 10% of the calories are still able to come from sweets. Only 25 of your cat’s daily caloric needs, for instance, should come from treats. However, your vet will determine the right amount for your particular pet.

Conclusion

The better and complete answer to know if your cat can eat peanut butter will be answered by your cat’s veterinarian. So, before feeding peanut butter to your cat, check with your veterinarian to see if it is safe to do so. Your pet’s veterinarian can decide the proper portion for them and offer advice on any health conditions that would prevent them from eating it.

Here is another great article you should read next: Can Cats Eat Hot Dogs? Complete Answer