Peanut butter is one of the most popular food pastes that we, humans, treat ourselves with when we need something sweet and delicious. Meanwhile, as we have our special treat, it often happens (I am sure not only with me), that our lovely pets come and start meowing and looking at us with their big cute eyes. In this case, who wouldn’t give them what they want? But before you share your tasty food with your beloved companion, bear in mind that among all the foods that we can consume safely, there are many foods that cats cannot eat as it can be harmful or even deadly to them.
You might be wondering now: what about cats and peanut butter? Is peanut butter bad for cats as well? Or can cats eat peanut butter? Although this question seems to be easy to answer, it requires a bit more explanation than a yes or no, and it is definitely worth to know how much peanut butter a cat can consume safely and what benefits or effects can occur on the feline’s overall health. After all, there is no cat owner who would want anything bad to his beloved companion.
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Can cats eat Peanut Butter? – Not recommended
If you ask “Can cats eat peanut butter?” my answer would be: “Technically yes – cats can eat it.” Nevertheless, if you ask “Can you give cats peanut butter” the answer is: “Definitely no. It is not recommended.”
While peanut butter is not considered to be toxic to cats (it is not on the ASPCA’s list of “People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets”), it should not be fed to them on a regular basis. However, peanut butter can be given as a treat to cats that do show some interest in peanut butter and are not allergic to this tasty paste, but only with exceptional caution:
- the one-time portion should not be more than half a teaspoon,
- the frequency should not be more than once a week,
- and the type of the peanut butter should be the one which is free of as many additives as possible, which means it has no added sugar, salt or extra oil and it is sodium free.
Although peanut butter so far seems to be ok for cats, the health risks of even a tiny overdose overtake the little beneficial values that the content of peanut butter carries.
Overall, speaking for myself and considering the facts about peanut butter and effects it can cause to a cat, I would recommend not to feed peanut butter to cats at all. It is not worth taking the risk to give something to a cat which is not even part of her healthy diet.
About peanut butter and cats
Peanut butter is a very popular food paste made from dry roasted peanuts. It is not only a delicious paste on a sandwich, but it also can be an ingredient in many recipes, for example, cookies.
If you have ever looked at the ingredients in a jar of peanut butter (regardless of the brand), you perhaps already have an idea that it is full of excellent nutrients. It is a great source of protein, fat, carbohydrates, several vitamins (like vitamin E and vitamin B6) and minerals. While most commercially produced peanut butter contain oil, added sugar and increased salt as well to enhance the flavor and increase the shelf life, other brands of peanut butter exclude unnecessary additives and chemicals.
Knowing its ingredients, nutritionally peanut butter has countless benefits. At least for human consumers. However, when it comes to cats, we should not forget the fact that cats are obligate carnivores. Therefore their nutritional needs require a diet that consists of animal-based proteins, and not a plant source protein like peanut butter. So regarding cats and peanut butter; even though their digestive system can break the peanut butter down and digest it, the question about its nutritional value to cats becomes more complicated and needs some detailed explanation.
Any benefits – Is peanut butter good for cats?
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