Cat Care
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter? Is It Safe and How Much
Cats can have a tiny lick of plain peanut butter, but they shouldn't eat it regularly. Peanut butter without xylitol isn't toxic to cats, but it's high in fat and calories and gives a meat-eating cat nothing useful. Peanut butter that contains xylitol is a different story: treat it as an emergency and call your vet.
Is peanut butter safe for cats?
PetMD notes that xylitol-free peanut butter isn't toxic to cats but has no nutritional value for them, because cats need protein from meat. The main concerns are:
- Fat and calories. A spoonful is a lot of calories for a small cat and can lead to weight gain or stomach upset.
- Xylitol. Some peanut and nut butters use xylitol, also called birch sugar. It is very dangerous for dogs, and the safest approach is to keep it away from cats too.
- Salt and sugar. Many brands add both.
- Thick and sticky texture. Hard for a cat to swallow in a large blob.
- Whole peanuts and crunchy pieces. A choking or blockage risk.
How much peanut butter can a cat have?
A lick from your fingertip, no more than about a quarter of a teaspoon, and not every day. PetMD notes a healthy cat that eats less than a teaspoon of xylitol-free peanut butter will most likely be fine, though mild vomiting or diarrhoea can happen.
My cat ate peanut butter: what to do
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| The label lists xylitol or birch sugar, or you can't check | Call your vet or an animal poison control line now. |
| A lick of plain peanut butter | Nothing to do. Make sure water is available. |
| A large amount of plain peanut butter | Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea or low appetite over 24 hours and call your vet if it doesn't settle. |
| Peanut butter with chocolate (cups, spreads) | Call your vet; chocolate is toxic to cats. |
Using peanut butter to give a pill
It can work, but many cats aren't keen on the taste. Ask your vet first, use a pea-sized amount of plain xylitol-free peanut butter, and consider vet-made pill pockets or a little meat-based paste instead.
Better treats for cats
- A small piece of plain cooked chicken or turkey
- Plain cooked fish, boneless and unseasoned
- Freeze-dried meat treats made for cats
- A lick of cat-safe meat paste treats
Check other foods quickly with our can my cat eat this? food checker.
Frequently asked questions
Is peanut butter toxic to cats?
Plain peanut butter without xylitol isn't toxic to cats, but it offers no nutritional benefit and is high in fat. Peanut butter with xylitol should be treated as an emergency.
Why does my cat like peanut butter?
Some cats are drawn to the fat and the smell. Cats can't taste sweetness, so it isn't the sugar they're after.
Can kittens eat peanut butter?
It's best not to. Kittens need complete kitten food, and their stomachs are sensitive.
Can cats eat peanuts?
Plain, unsalted peanuts aren't toxic, but whole nuts can cause choking or a blockage. There's no reason to feed them.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Dogs can have small amounts of xylitol-free peanut butter. Always check the label, because xylitol is extremely dangerous for dogs.
Sources
Guidance follows PetMD and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. This article is general information, not veterinary advice.
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