Can cats eat peanut butter? Is it good and safe or bad for them?
We all love to pamper our precious feline furballs, especially when it comes to grooming, play sessions, snuggling, and the worst – table scraps.
Feeding your friend leftovers isn’t the brightest idea, but the truth is, we all do it.
Cat food can be tasty, especially oily and rich-tasting wet canned food. But no one wants to eat the same thing every day, including their cat.
So there’s nothing wrong with giving your pet human food chunks as a little treat once in a while, right?
Well, it depends on the treatment. For example, your feline friend cannot eat chocolate or dairy products like cheese.
There are much better options on the market, such as the specialized cat treats that many pet food brands are making.
When it comes to human food, there are plenty of treats that your kitty’s body can’t handle. Peanut butter, for example, is a remarkably popular snack for humans.
It’s natural for many cat owners to wonder if they should let their cats lick the peanut butter off the tablespoon after making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Can cats eat peanut butter? Is it good or is it harmful?
The delicious flavor and nutty texture of peanut butter are not only attractive to humans and cats. And peanut butter offers some nutritional advantages…for humans. It has iron, magnesium, vitamin E and vitamin B6.
However, peanut butter has no nutritional value for cats, although it’s probably not that bad for them – as a one-time snack.
Nothing will happen to your feline friend if they lick the spoon, because peanut butter is not toxic to cats. It’s not exactly healthy, but it’s not deadly either.
However, peanut butter does have its drawbacks and even some pretty harmful side effects.
It will not poison or kill your feline pet unless you regularly give it a tablespoon of PB. If the kitten gives you a couple of licks with his finger or spoon, everything will be fine.
But it is not appropriate for regular treats. Cats can easily fall for it due to its distinctive texture, but that enjoyment will eventually come at a heavy price for your pet.
Side Effects of Too Much Peanut Butter for Cats
Diarrhea
vomiting
Obesity
Indigestion
Getting stuck in the cat’s throat
It is not uncommon for cats that vomit to suffer from diarrhea.
Indigestion is a problem for felines when it comes to human food because their digestive systems are so different from ours. They can’t digest peanut butter as well as we do, so it can easily upset your cat’s tummy.
Also, the high concentration of fats in butter is quite dangerous for cats. It can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.
Also, peanut butter can stick to your pet’s mouth and throat, causing further damage.
Should you give your cat peanut butter?
Some vets will advise you to use something delicious like peanut butter when trying to get a fussy cat to swallow his medicine.
Due to the dangerous side effects of this human food, it’s best to stick with the safest and most animal-friendly options.
Also, some cats will just wrinkle their noses at the sight of a spoonful of peanut butter. Your furball could be one of them.
Cats already have enough indigestion problems due to the excessive amount of cat hair they swallow on a daily basis.
Therefore, it is better not to bother their organisms further by treating them with something as heavy as this particular human food.
Peanut butter has no nutritional value for your cat. At best, it will only ruin your appetite. At worst, it will lead to diabetes, obesity, and indigestion problems.
Do not risk the general health of your pet, and opt for the best treats for cats. You can even go for dental treatments to combine good taste with health care.
