are peanuts bad for cats

ARE PEANUTS BAD FOR CATS? HOW TO FEED CATS PEANUTS (4 STEPS)

Are peanuts bad for cats? Every cat owner loves to spoil their feline friend with a little treat from time to time. Of course, you probably know to avoid certain foods altogether, but are peanuts bad for cats?

Technically speaking, peanuts are not bad for cats in small amounts. In moderation and with a few specific safety precautions, peanuts may benefit your cat’s health. However, failing to follow a few simple guidelines and letting your cat eat peanuts may be harmful.

This advice may seem to apply to most foods, so it’s worth taking a closer look. But first, let’s discuss specifically how to feed cats peanuts without risking their health.

Are peanuts bad for cats?

HOW DO PEANUTS AFFECT CATS?

Peanuts do not carry any specific toxins that will harm a cat when eaten in raw form. Just like humans, felines rely on some amount of both fat and protein in order to stay alive. To this end, one might actually consider peanuts as something of healthy food.

Note, however, that the same caveats also apply to cats as to humans. While high in protein, peanuts also contain significant amounts of fat. These are considered “good fats” for humans, but cats are smaller and prone to obesity. A hefty kitty may give you a lot more to love, but the long-term health risks really aren’t worth the cost of vet bills or the danger to your cat’s life.

Furthermore, most peanuts you’ll find in supermarkets are not sold raw. They often contain high sodium or other additives, whether to preserve them or add flavor. This complicates the issue since you may not always know just what your cat is eating.

Cats will survive small amounts of salt, but it only takes a few grams to cross the tipping point. For this reason, salted peanuts of any variety should be kept away from your cat at all costs.

HOW TO FEED CATS PEANUTS

If you like to eat peanuts and want to share one or two with your furry friend from time to time, it probably won’t hurt anybody. Just make sure to follow these basic guidelines.

  1. Only use raw peanuts, never salted or flavored ones.
  2. Shell and skin peanuts to reduce choking hazards.
  3. Do not overfeed. One or two peanuts are plenty.
  4. Consult your vet beforehand in case of unknown health problems.

This last tip is especially important. Peanuts are best avoided if your cat has any health issues that may put it at greater risk when consuming fatty foods.

If you’re uncertain at all, then go ahead and skip the peanuts for now. The protein value isn’t nearly high enough to justify the risk.

ARE PEANUTS BAD FOR CATS

As with any dietary choices you might make for your pet, a vet’s opinion should always overrule all other concerns.

If your vet gives you the thumbs up, feel free to share a couple of peanuts with your cat. Just make sure to remove potential choking hazards first, and never feed your cat peanuts with additives or preservatives that may jeopardize your little friend’s health.

IS IT SAFE FOR CATS TO EAT SALTED PEANUTS?

It is not safe for cats to eat salted peanuts. Salt is dangerous for cats, even in small amounts. Even a few grams of salt can harm your cat’s health.

A few grams of salt can create the danger of salt poisoning in cats. It is enough, as little as 0.5 grams per kg of body weight, to create problems, and this is as little as a teaspoon of salt.

For this reason, it is way better to avoid feeding your cat salted peanuts, and if your cat is a peanuts lover, try not to have him eat those with salt in them. Here are some of the signs of salt poisoning in cats to keep in mind:

  • Diarrhea
  • Less appetite
  • Lethargy
  • Excessive thirst
  • Excessive urination
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Coma

CAN CATS EAT ROASTED PEANUTS?

Cats eat roasted peanuts in moderation; just make sure they are not salted. Unfortunately, some cats might become obsessed with peanuts, roasted or in other forms, including the salty ones or those that are sugar-coated.

As a treat here and there, it is not a problem. But roasted peanuts are not supposed to become the main cat food.

WHY DO CATS LIKE PEANUTS?

It is not uncommon to find cats with peculiar tastes—some cats like human food, including peanuts, peanut butter, and other food. For example, cats might like peanuts because of their unique flavor.

Maybe as kittens, they were given peanut butter, and since that time, they have enjoyed eating peanuts. There are many reasons, although it is easier to find cats that do not like to eat peanuts.

Cats are carnivores and are naturally attracted to protein-packed food, but there are always exceptions.

IS PEANUT BUTTER SAFE FOR CATS?

Peanut butter is safe for cats, in small amounts, especially the one that is not filled with sugar, salt, and other additives. However, in no circumstances should peanuts butter be given as the main food or in too much quantity.

Even if your cat is crazy about peanut butter, you should not let him eat it too much, but you should make sure not to leave it unattended around the house!

CAN CATS BE ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS?

Like humans, cats can also be allergic to peanuts or nuts in general. Again, the symptoms might look like other cats’ diseases or illnesses, but if it happens right after your cat has eaten a peanut, you can suspect the presence of an allergy.

Cats with nuts allergies tend to scratch themselves a lot, vomit, sneeze or seem agitated. The main symptoms of nuts allergies in cats are the following:

  • Scratching
  • Chewing on themselves (especially the tail or paws)
  • Runny eyes
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Hair loss
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Snoring

The only way to determine if the above symptoms come from nuts allergies is to bring the cat to the vet. Otherwise, it is easy to think that a cat might have dry skin or fleas.

The vet can run different tests and determine your cat’s allergy. Then, he can treat allergies in different ways, such as medication, fluids, or other means.

PEANUTS NUTRITIONAL FACTS

Are peanuts bad for cats?

While peanuts are good for humans, cats might not get too many nutritional benefits. In fact, cats are carnivore and their diet should consist mainly of animal proteins. Nuts contain too much fat that can create problems for the skin of your cat and for his health in general.

100 grams of peanuts provide the following nutritional values

  • Protein: 25.80 g
  • Fat: 49.24 g
  • Carbohydrate: 16.13 g
  • Fiber: 8.50 g
  • Sugar: 4.72 g

While the protein content is good, peanuts contain too much fat and sugar for a cat diet. But cats could benefit from some of the minerals contained in peanuts. These are:

  • Calcium
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorous
  • Potassium

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can cats eat peanuts shells?

Cats cannot eat peanuts shells. Because of the complex nature of the shell, it can create damage to the cat’s digestive system. In addition, the shell can contain harmful elements such as salt and other substances.

Are honey-roasted peanuts bad for cats?

Honey-roasted peanuts are not suitable for cats because of their sugary content. Cats do not eat sugar in general. A small amount is not that harmful, but it is better not to give it to your cat.


Are boiled peanuts bad for cats?

Boiled peanuts are not bad for cats, considering that you always give your small cat amounts. In addition, soft peanuts are soft and easier to eat.


What happens if a cat eats a peanut?

If a cat eats peanuts in small amounts can be an excellent addition to the diet. However, larger amounts can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other unwanted conditions.


Are peanuts poisonous to cats?

Peanuts are not poisonous to cats unless your cat is eating salted peanuts. In this case, cats can get salt poisoning. In addition, if cats eat peanuts as a treat, it is not a problem, but too many can lead to unwanted health conditions.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *