Almond butter is your jam, huh? Me too. If you have some almond butter and want to share it with your cat, or if your cat has helped itself, can it eat it?
In this article, I will discuss the relationship between almond butter and felines. In addition to busting a myth about felines and almonds!
What’s in Almond Butter?
There shouldn’t be much besides almonds in high-quality organic almond butter.
A little salt is usually added to improve the taste. The foods labeled “no added flavorings” are the ones you should always choose.
Sorry if I sound like I’m giving you a grocery shopping lesson! Almond butter comes in a variety of flavors, and the addition of exotic ingredients like coconut or honey ups the ante (and the difficulty level) for cats.
In all likelihood, however, all you have on hand is a jar of crushed almonds.
Can Cats Eat Almond Butter?
Almond butter contains a lot of salt, so it’s not a good idea to feed it to your cat. We can’t let our cats eat almond butter because it typically has too much sugar for them.
Sugar is harmful to cats in any amount. It’s natural to wonder why. The short answer is that if your cat consumes an excessive amount of sugary foods, it may develop diabetes.
Furthermore, your cat could develop a weight problem as a result. Studies show that obese cats have a higher risk of developing health problems and a shorter lifespan than their leaner neighbors’ cats.
Can Cats Eat Almonds?
Despite widespread belief to the contrary, most commercially available varieties of sweet almonds are not harmful to cats. However, because they are not a typical part of a cat’s diet, almonds can cause serious digestive problems.
Despite their lack of toxicity, eating too many sweet almonds can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, and even pancreatitis.
If your cat is allergic to other nuts, such as peanuts or tree nuts, almonds should also be avoided.
The story changes when you eat bitter almonds. Your cat may be poisoned by the cyanide-like compound found in these almonds.
Even we humans can be poisoned by them. Despite being clearly labeled on their packaging, bitter almonds are extremely difficult to come by in the United States.
Also, whole almonds are among the hardest nuts around, so your feline friend may have trouble breaking them down into manageable pieces. Your cat may have difficulty swallowing the almond if you do this.
On the other hand, if your cat does manage to ingest an entire almond, it could cause intestinal or bowel blockages, leading to surgery or even death.
Never feed an almond to your cat in its entirety. You should take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect it may have eaten an entire almond.
They will x-ray your cat to determine where the almond is located and whether or not it needs to be removed surgically.
Are Almonds Toxic to Cats?
This is a typical urban legend that circulates on the web. Many people have told me that cats should not eat almonds. A neighbor of mine even mentioned that she had heard of a case where a cat had eaten almonds and then died.
Never have I ever accused anyone of lying. However, before I report something as fact, I do my best to verify it.
I did some research and discovered that the ASPCA does not consider sweet almonds (the kind used to make almond butter) to be toxic.
But that doesn’t mean felines should eat them. The opposite, in fact.
In the wild, cats probably wouldn’t eat almonds because they don’t provide enough of the nutrients they need.
They are likely to give you the stomach rumbles, if not outright nausea, diarrhoea, or vomiting.
Bitter almonds are a new variety that has recently emerged. The widespread belief that almonds are harmless originated, most likely, with the consumption of bitter almonds, which are not common but do present a toxic threat.
The cyanide compound they contain makes them extremely dangerous to animals. Since bitter almonds are rarely purchased for snacking purposes, that fact should be prominently displayed on the packaging.
Can Cats Drink Almond Milk?
Almond milk, like most other almond-based foods, should be given to your cat in moderation. If you give your cat almond milk on a regular basis, it could lead to stomach issues. Almond milk is fine for cats, but only the unsweetened variety.
Kittens need their mother’s milk as soon as possible after birth. Milk substitutes for kittens are available in the event that they are separated from their mothers. If you want to give your kitten almond milk, try this kind first.
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
Like almond butter, peanut butter isn’t typically toxic to cats but offers very little in the way of nutrition.
Similarly, your cat probably can’t handle the high levels of sugar and fat in peanut butter.
As always, restraint is required. Never give peanut butter to your cat in excessive amounts. Overfeeding your cat peanut butter can cause the same gastrointestinal distress as almond butter, including vomiting and diarrhea.
As a whole, peanut butter shouldn’t be given to animals very often. Give your cats more protein-rich treats, like those flavored with chicken. Believe me, meat is much more appealing to a cat than any kind of nut butter.
For pills that don’t need to be given every day or over a long period of time, peanut butter is a great way to administer medication to your cat.
Some Foods That Are Bad for Cats
Now you know that almond butter is off-limits, despite the fact that it poses no health risks in moderation.
However, there are some foods that should be avoided because they are toxic to cats.
Dairy – As I mentioned up top, once cats are weaned off their mother’s milk, they develop lactose intolerance. Cats may be seen on television drinking milk from bowls, but this is actually unhealthy for them and can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
My cats will always approach a glass with alcohol in it, but I know how poisonous it is and have never let them drink from it.
The compounds in onions and garlic are toxic to cats because they attack the red blood cells. Separate them a great deal.
Despite their seemingly innocuous appearance, grapes and raisins can be fatal to many small animals. Long-term effects of raisin consumption in cats include kidney failure, which can begin within hours.
Cacao (chocolate) – Cats can be poisoned by certain compounds found in chocolate. For those of us who own cats, this is welcome news because it gives us an excuse to keep it quiet.
This is by no means an all-inclusive list, but I have emphasized some of the worst foods that the average person keeps in their pantry.
Always double-check anything you want to share or are unsure about that your cat has eaten.
In Summary – Can Cats Eat Almond Butter?
If your cat accidentally consumes almond butter, there’s no need to freak out, but you also shouldn’t feed it to them on purpose.
That is the key idea presented here.
The almonds used to make almond butter, known as sweet almonds, are not harmful or poisonous.
The problem is that it is not a food capable of satisfying a cat’s intricate nutritional requirements. If they like almond butter at all, it’s probably just a treat they give themselves occasionally.