For humans, peanut butter makes a tasty and healthy snack, but is it safe for cats to eat? Because they might be finicky eaters, cats may not enjoy the flavor or aroma of peanut butter. Is it okay to give in to your cat's begging to take a lick of the peanut butter? Although there are quite a few valid reasons not to feed peanut butter to cats, it is not intrinsically poisonous to them.
Do cats get toxic from peanut butter?
Do cats get toxic from peanut butter?
Being inquisitive animals, cats frequently want to share your food, especially lunch or snack. Your cat might be drawn to peanut butter, and generally speaking, giving them a small amount of it in moderation won't hurt them. Cats cannot be poisoned by peanut butter by itself. However, certain varieties of peanut butter contain a few chemicals that could be harmful. Cats may be poisoned by oil, fats, salt, sugar, or additional artificial sweeteners.
Items in Peanut Butter You Should Avoid
If your cat is pleading with you for a sample of the peanut butter, you need to educate yourself on the contents of the spread. To prevent any problems, carefully read labels and be sure you comprehend what you are feeding the cat.
Xylitol
Xylitol is the first important component to watch out for. Among other things, peanut butter, cookies, cakes, or chewing gum all contain the artificial sweetener xylitol. It could be called wood sugar, birch sugar, or birch bark extracts in the ingredient list.
Dogs are extremely poisonous to xylitol. This sugar alcohol can cause severe hypoglycemia or liver failure in even small doses. There have been instances of toxicity in cats, so it is possible that they are more resilient to the harmful effects of xylitol. However, research has not produced a conclusive answer. For this reason, you should never give your cat any kind of food that contains xylitol.
Fats and oils
Before giving your cat peanut butter, there are a few more things to think about. High fat content is found in peanuts, and certain peanut butter contains additional oils. These ingredients could cause upset stomach symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. A cat who eats peanut butter on a regular basis runs the risk of gaining weight and not getting adequate nutrients from their main food.
Sugar and salt
Peanut butter may have elevated concentrations of sugar and salt. When consumed in excess, a lot of salt can cause severe gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach discomfort, and extreme thirst. Prolonged overindulgence in salt can also result in issues with the heart and blood pressure. Because they are obligate carnivores, cats' bodies are not designed to handle high-carbohydrate diets. Peanut butter is a carbohydrate that occasionally contains too much sugar, which can cause diabetes, heart problems, and excessive weight gain.
Healthy Cat Treats
Treating your cat to a treat is a great way to strengthen your bond with them. Treats are an excellent method of providing positive reinforcement for cats, who, like most animals, are driven by food. Look for treats that are specifically designed for cats and are nutritionally adequate when selecting one for your pet. Pet food stores have a variety of commercial cat snacks for sale. Try making your own homemade cat food or treats, such as cat grass and catnip.
Never forget that treats of any sort should only account for 10% of your cat's daily caloric intake or should be given in moderation.
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