Can cats eat peanuts? That is the question that many cat owners ask themselves when they are deciding what to feed their pet.
Cats can eat peanuts, but there are some considerations about how safe it is for them to consume this type of nut.
For example, it’s important to know if your kitty has any allergies, and if so, does he or she have an allergy specifically towards peanuts?
Peanuts may also not be a healthy food for cats because they lack protein and fat content in comparison with other sources of animal protein like meat or fish.
In this blog post we will discuss this subject in more depth.
Can Cats Eat Peanuts?
The short answer is yes, cats can eat peanuts as they are not toxic for cats, but it is advised to not feed peanuts to a cat as they can cause weight gain due to their high fat content, salt poisoning, and the shells are a chocking hazard. They are also hard to digest, and contain the wrong type of protein for your cat’s metabolism.
All of these details will be explained in more-depth a bit further down in this post.
FACT: Peanut is technically not a nut, but rather a legume (as it is harvested from just beneath the ground)
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
It’s important not to feed peanut butter to your cat for the following reasons:
- High In Fat: Peanut butter is very high in fat content, which can be dangerous for cats with certain health conditions like heart disease.
- Chocking Hazard: Cats are more likely to choke on peanut butter because of its sticky consistency and large size (for a cat).
Health Benefits Of Peanuts
The nutrition found in peanuts is great for humans, but can cats also benefit from it. Let’s take a look at what goes into your body when peanuts are consumed
- Protein: Peanuts are high in protein and unsaturated fats, which can help promote a healthy coat on your cat. Although this is not the ideal kind of protein cats need.
- Vitamin E: There is also some vitamin E in peanuts that can be beneficial to cats with certain conditions.
- Antioxidant Phytonutrients: Peanuts are high in antioxidant phytonutrients which can help protect cells from damage.
- Some studies have shown that eating peanuts on a regular basis helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, while others suggest it may be even more beneficial than fruits and vegetables for this purpose.
- The Harvard School of Public Health says that “research suggests that eating nuts reduces death rates due to heart disease.”
Peanut Nutritional Facts
According to the USDA, here are the nutrition facts for 100g of peanuts:
- Calories: 567
- Protein: 26g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sugar: 4g
- Fiber: 9g
- Fat: 49g
Peanuts also contain vitamins and minerals such as:
- Calcium
- Vitamin B-6
- Magnesium
- Iron
The Dangers Of Peanuts For Cats
On the other hand, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t feed peanut butter to your feline friend:
1. High In Fat Content / Weight Gain
It’s very high in fat content for one thing – around 50% of its calories come from fat! That may not sound like much but if you were thinking about giving it as an occasional treat then think again because this could seriously affect your pet’s health. Cats have different dietary requirements than us so they need less fatty foods.
Obesity, in turn, causes diabetes in cats.
The symptoms of feline diabetes include:
- thirst
- increased urination
- weight loss
- increased appetite.
2. The Wrong Type Of Protein
Although peanuts are loaded with protein, it is the wrong type of protein for your cat’s metabolism.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their digestive systems are designed to break down proteins only obtained from animal sources.
Peanuts contain a high level of a form of protein called lectin which is harmful to your cat’s red blood cells and may cause vomiting, diarrhea or anemia.
It doesn’t contain the nutrients cats require to stay healthy and function properly, such as taurine, which can only be found in animal sources.
3. Hard For A Cat To Digest
Peanuts are very hard for cats to digest so this can lead to stomach upset.
4. Shells Are Dangerous
Peanut shells can become a choking hazard if swallowed by your cat.
When broken into pieces or chewed, the shells are extremely sharp. It can cause your cat to rip their stomach lining or vocal chords.
5. Salt Poisoning
Although cats do need salt as part of their diet to be able to function, too much salt can cause salt poisoning (hypernatremia).
This can result in an imbalance in the electrolytes and cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, and excessive thirst.
A small amount of salted peanuts such as one or two won’t harm your cat, but keep in mind that cats are little animals, and even a tiny amount of salty things may have an impact on their health.
Are cats allergic to peanuts?
Cats that are allergic to peanuts can have a very dangerous reaction because their immune system will go into overdrive.
This may result in anaphylactic shock, which is life-threatening and could potentially be fatal.
Although it’s not likely for your cat to experience the full range of symptoms associated with peanut allergies, here are some warning signs you should look out for according to WebMD (https://pets.webmd.com/cats/cat-allergy-symptoms-triggers#1):
- rashes or hives on his skin
- wheezing
- coughing sneezing or shortness of breath
- watery eyes itching around his nose and mouth
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- weakness
- seizures
- collapse
If you notice any of these symptoms after feeding your pet something containing peanuts then take him immediately to the vet as this could indicate an emergency situation!
How Can I Safely Give Peanuts To My Cat?
We recommend to not give peanuts to your cat, but if you do, here is the correct way to do it:
Preparing Peanuts for Cats Safely
1. Only Use Raw Peanuts
You should only use raw peanuts and not packs of commercial peanuts such as cooked or roasted ones.
This is because they contain oil, spices, seasonings, and extra salt that can be extremely dangerous and bad for your cats health.
2. Remove the shells
It is extremely important to remove the shells from nuts before feeding them to your cat .
This is because the shells are very hard and difficult to digest. Â They can cause your cat’s stomach to get scratched or injured due to their sharp edges.
The best way would be to break them in half before feeding them as this makes it easier for him/her swallow with no problem at all!
What Number of Peanuts Can I Give My Cat and How Often?
If you do decide to give peanuts to your cat, then one or two peanuts per week is more than enough.
Feeding anymore than this can start to put your cat in danger of salt poisoning, vomiting, and other health conditions.
Can Cats Eat Peanuts Conclusion
Can cats eat peanuts? Cats are naturally very picky eaters and they don’t usually like to try new things. So, when you add in the fact that peanuts can be potentially dangerous for cats.
They can be given in small amounts (one or two peanuts per week) to provide a healthy source of protein and other nutrients, but it is important that they are introduced slowly so your cat does not have an allergic reaction.
Cats should never eat whole peanuts because the shell may cause choking hazards or blockages in their digestive system.
Our advice: Although peanuts are not toxic for cats, do not ever feed them with peanuts. The risks outweigh the positives and peanuts are not an essential part of a cats diet.
