Delicious and high in protein, peanuts are a popular snack around the world. You can buy them pre-packaged with a variety of seasonings and flavors, making them a great alternative to unhealthy foods like potato chips and candy when you’re on the go.
Many of us who are cat owners wonder if our feline friends would enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Do they promote good health in them? In most cases, peanuts are fine for cats to eat.
Can Cats Eat Peanuts?
Peanuts are safe for cats to eat. Whatever way you look at it, peanuts don’t seem to be something you need to worry about your cat stealing, or about giving on purpose, to a cat as a snack.
Peanuts are completely safe for cats to eat and pose no health risks to them in any way. Can they get enough nourishment from them? Do peanuts have any health benefits for cats?
Feeding your cat peanuts has no real benefits, unlike feeding your cat lettuce which helps cats stay hydrated (among other benefits).
Peanuts Nutritional Stats
Peanuts, per 100 grams, nutritional information:
- 567 calories
- Protein, 26 g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Sugar: 4g
- Fiber: 9g
- Fat: 49g
- Calcium
- B6 Vitamin
- Magnesium
- Iron
Peanuts Nutritional Facts
Peanuts, as you can see, are a fatty snack that is also high in protein. Because of their high calorie content, they could contribute to weight gain.
Since cats have trouble processing plant-based lipids and protein, peanuts don’t offer much in the way of nutrition.
Due to their inability to properly digest plant-based lipids and protein, cats do not derive many nutritional benefits from eating peanuts. Because of the potential for weight gain and diarrhea in cats, the negatives outweigh the positives.
Peanuts for Cats
Peanuts, even without salt, are fine for cats to eat. If a peanut is shelled and has no extra seasonings or flavors added to it, there is nothing wrong with it.
However, your cat being able to eat peanuts is no reason to feed it to it. Peanuts have many positive health effects when consumed by humans, but this is not the case when consumed by cats. Cats, being obligate carnivores, can only get the protein they need from animal sources, so peanuts are out.
In addition to the risk of an allergic reaction, cats may experience gastrointestinal distress or gain weight after consuming peanuts due to their high calorie and fat content.
In the long run, this could be bad for your health. Certain diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, heart disease, osteoarthritis, urinary bladder stones, and cancer, are more common in cats that are overweight or obese.
Are Peanuts Safe For Cats?
Cats can eat peanuts without any worries. The inclusion of peanuts in a cat’s diet is safe. Make sure they are served safely if you and your vet decide that they are an appropriate treatment for your pet on occasion.
- Use raw peanuts first and foremost. Commercially packaged peanuts contain excess salt, fat, additives, and flavors that are bad for your cat.
- Second, make sure that the only type of peanuts your cat gets are shelled ones. Just what is the deal here? Reason being, your cat could easily choke on the peanut’s hard shell, and the nut itself could cause an allergic reaction.
Do Cats Like Peanuts?
Peanuts and felines: a possible but unlikely pairing. It really does rely on the feline.
Some pet owners claim their feline companions rush to the peanut, while others say their cat merely sniffs it and moves on. Every cat owner knows that felines have a reputation for being picky eaters.
“People cuisine” is loved by some and loathed by others. If you want to know if your cat likes peanuts, the only way to find out is to feed them to her.
A warning should, of course, come after this. When introducing new foods to your pet, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
Precautions with Feeding Peanuts to Cats
While you shouldn’t feed your cat peanuts, it’s probably not the end of the world if it happens to find one on the floor and eats it.
Remember that this only refers to roasted, salted peanuts in their shells. Many peanuts sold for human consumption contain additives, spices, and flavorings that could be harmful to cats.
Avoid giving your cat any peanuts that have been honey roasted, spiced, chocolate coated, or yogurt covered. Cats shouldn’t consume sugar, and chocolate can be fatal.
The safety of peanuts in the shell is another issue. It is important to remove and discard any peanut shells before feeding them to your cat, as the shell is difficult for them to digest and could cause an obstruction or even damage to their digestive tract.
Are Peanuts Bad For Cats?
No, the occasional peanut isn’t going to hurt a cat. However, there would be unavoidable consequences if you fed them in excess or made them the staple of your cat’s diet.
Feed your cat a food that is made specifically for felines. The use of anything else is discouraged. If you feed your cat too many peanuts, he may become overweight or not get enough of the nutrients he needs, like the amino acids found in meat.
Before giving your cat peanuts, you should know the risks involved. Now is the time to discuss them.
Peanut Intolerance
Peanuts (a legume) are not toxic to cats, but they can cause severe allergic reactions in some of them. If your cat has stomach problems after eating a peanut for the first time, it’s probably because she can’t handle the protein in the nut.
Your cat probably has a food allergy if you’ve noticed her sneezing, vomiting, or swelling after she’s been exposed to peanuts before.
Cats with nut allergies often experience itching in addition to these symptoms, which can lead to bald patches.
Because the symptoms of a cat’s food allergy are similar to those of less severe itching issues caused by dry skin or vomiting hairballs, the condition is often overlooked.
Since nut allergies are a common cause of itching in cats, it is important to consult a veterinarian if you notice your cat scratching excessively.
Diarrhea
The fat in peanuts can cause gastrointestinal distress like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms may occur because your cat’s digestive system wasn’t built to process such large amounts of fat.
Gaining Weight
The fat content of these nuts raises concerns about the development of obesity. Indoor cats, in particular, are at risk for being overweight due to a lack of exercise and a steady supply of food. If your cat becomes overweight, it may develop diabetes.
Some of the signs that a cat has diabetes are:
- Drenching thirst,
- urine output increases,
- shedding pounds, and
- improved hunger
Even though diabetes must be treated properly to ensure a long and healthy life, these symptoms are often overlooked. You should take your cat to the vet if you are worried about its symptoms.
Poisoning With Salt
While sodium (salt) is essential to a cat’s bodily processes, giving it too much can cause salt poisoning (hypernatremia). An electrolyte imbalance brought on by too much salt in the body hinders proper functioning.
The symptoms of salt poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and an increased need to urinate. In extreme cases, it can lead to tremors, convulsions, coma, and kidney damage or even death.
Though a couple of salted peanuts probably won’t kill your cat, it’s important to remember that cats are delicate creatures and that even modest amounts of salty foods can be harmful to their health. Talk to your vet if you’re worried that your cat is getting too much salt in his or her diet.
You should also avoid giving your cat any kind of chocolate, including chocolate-covered peanuts.
Shells Can Be Harmful
We’ve also touched briefly on shells as a potential threat. Your cat may have trouble gnawing on the peanut shells. Therefore, your cat might try to eat a particularly large piece and end up choking.
Both the shell and the peanut inside can cause choking if swallowed. A cat might try to eat an entire peanut despite the species’ reputation for picky eating.
When broken or chewed, the shells are extremely sharp. It can irritate your cat’s esophagus and stomach lining.
You should also be careful if you accidentally drop a shelled peanut. It could be funny to watch your cat bat it around, but if it bites, it could be very serious.
Are Peanuts Good For Cats?
Cats can benefit from eating peanuts, that’s true. The good news is that peanuts aren’t considered poisonous or harmful to cats.
Cats require a diet high in protein, and peanuts in particular are a good source of this. If that’s the case, then peanuts could provide your cat with a healthy new source of protein.
The reality, however, is different on a daily basis. The high amount of fat in peanuts is largely to blame for this. You should take all necessary measures to prevent an overweight cat epidemic.
It’s also important to remember that before feeding your cat any human food, including treats, you should talk to your regular veterinarian.
Health Benefits of Peanuts to Cats
You may be wondering, now that you know peanuts aren’t toxic to cats, if there are any other benefits to eating them. Peanuts are widely regarded as a heart-healthy staple for humans, but cats derive no such benefit from eating them.
Due to their nature as obligate carnivores, cats thrive when fed a diet rich in animal protein. Peanuts are not a good source of the right kinds of fats or protein for cats and may even upset their stomachs.
Know that giving your cat a peanut as a treat is just that, and not a regular part of his or her diet. Giving a peanut to your cat won’t help it in any way.
In fact, a peanut is not the best treat for your cat because of the dangers posed by the spices, additives, fat content, and the possibility of allergy.
Can Baby Cats Eat Peanuts?
If a kitten accidentally swallows a peanut, then yes, kittens can safely eat peanuts. A kitten could come over and eat it without any ill effects. Due to their immaturity, kittens may have trouble chewing and digesting the food.
It’s also important to note that peanuts are not a healthy food option for felines. They are high in monounsaturated fat, which is poorly absorbed by cats. This is bad for your health (but more on the reasons why later).
Can Cats Eat Salted Peanuts?
Salted peanuts are safe for cats to eat. Raw peanuts that have been salted are known as “salted peanuts.” As was mentioned before, some varieties of dry roasted peanuts include salt. Most people’s go-to snacks at home are variations on these.
Sodium’s effects are still unclear, so it’s probably best not to overfeed your cat on salted peanuts. There shouldn’t be any issues, though, if you give one as a treat or your cat nibbles one off the floor.
Can Cats Eat Roasted Peanuts?
Roasted peanuts are not safe for cats to eat. The peanuts used make a difference, though. Peanuts are allowed only if they are roasted and unsalted.
This is because a pinch of salt on a single peanut is harmless, but feeding your pet excessive amounts of salt can be harmful, so you shouldn’t do it on purpose. An unsalted peanut is preferable if you want your cat to try peanuts.
Can Cats Eat Honey-Roasted Peanuts?
Honey-roasted peanuts are not safe for cats to eat. It’s not a good idea to eat peanuts that have been roasted in honey, covered in chocolate or yogurt, or seasoned. To begin, cats do not enjoy sugar because they do not have the necessary taste receptors.
Both chocolate and seasoned peanuts contain ingredients that are bad for your cat’s health, such as salt.
Can Cats Eat Boiled Peanuts?
A cat can, in fact, eat boiled peanuts. Peanuts that have been boiled have been cooked in water that has been brought to a boil. These are typically made with “green,” or unripe peanuts, rather than mature peanuts, and are boiled in saltwater.
The South is one region of the United States where boiled peanuts are a staple food. You can also discover these in the continents of Asia, Africa, and South America.
Your cat probably finds them interesting, as well as the other peanut products we discuss, because it has seen you eat them and is curious by nature.
Boiling peanuts are safe for cats to eat, but like any foreign food, they should be given to them in moderation. When feeding your cat peanuts, keep a close eye on him in case one ends up in the wrong place.
How Many Peanuts Can Cats Eat?
You can give your cat one or two peanuts once a week if you really want to. For this purpose, unsalted peanuts are recommended.
For one thing, the amount of salt on store-bought peanuts is negligible compared to the amount of salt in your cat’s regular high-quality pet food.
Too much salt in the diet can be fatal for cats. Also, your cat won’t benefit nutritionally from eating peanuts, so limit their intake. Last but not least, this is the perfect alternative to feeding your cat “human food.”
How Often Can A Cats Eat Peanuts?
You should give your cat legal cat treats, but only allow a peanut once a week. One or two peanuts are all your cat needs to feel content. Keep in mind that peanuts can cause diarrhea in cats if given in excess.
They do nothing to nourish your cat and may even cause weight gain, diabetes, or an allergy to peanuts. instead of “human food,” give your cat a treat designed for cats.
How To Feed Peanuts To Cats?
If you’re going to try feeding your cat peanuts, make sure they are completely plain, with no added salt, sugar, barbecue powder, or chocolate (yes, even white chocolate is poisonous to cats).
Since we’re on the topic of peanuts, shell them first. Cats can amuse themselves by batting around a peanut in its husk and chasing it around the room.
However, they shouldn’t be nibbling at peanut husks, as this can lead to the husk being swallowed and potentially causing choking or other serious internal damage.
Aside from that, how you give peanuts to your cat is entirely up to you. A cat could be offered a whole peanut, but I seriously doubt that it would accept such an offering.
Explore or try whichever method you think your cat will like best, whether it’s slicing them with a knife, passing them some diced peanuts, or crushing them with a mortar and pestle to reduce them to tiny pieces.
Do Peanuts Affect The Digestive System Of Cats?
In moderation, peanuts pose no threat to digestive health. If you want to keep your cat healthy, avoid giving them too much of anything besides their regular food.
In addition to peanuts, this includes any store-bought dental snacks you may have picked up on your most recent shopping trip.
Here are the peanuts that have been de-shelled. NEVER feed your cat a peanut that has been shelled. Cats may suffer digestive system damage if they ingest the shell because of how difficult it is to digest.
Remove the peanut from its shell before feeding it to your cat. And since the shells are often salted, your cat could end up dehydrated, poisoned, or just very thirsty.
Conclusion
Although peanuts aren’t toxic to cats, they do pose some health risks if they eat them. Peanuts can cause gastrointestinal distress in cats and even cause them to choke. Instead of giving your cat table scraps, opt for healthier options like commercial cat treats.