Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?

Dogs go nuts for this treat, but can cats eat peanut butter? Like some human foods, peanut butter can be eaten safely in moderation, but the answer to the question, "Can cats have peanut butter?" is a little more complicated than "yes" or "no."

Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?

Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.

Problematic Ingredients

If you choose to feed your cat peanut butter, carefully read labels and familiarise yourself with problematic ingredients.

• Xylitol: When natural peanuts are processed into peanut butter, there are added ingredients that can be hazardous to your cat's health. One such ingredient is xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's toxic to animals. You shouldn't feed your cat products that contain xylitol. According to RSPCA Australia, xylitol is metabolised differently by dogs, who can develop low blood sugar leading to seizures and, if untreated, death, so it's worth checking peanut butter labels for xylitol regardless of which pet it's for. Xylitol pops up in other human foods, like baked goods and chewing gum, which is why reading labels is extremely important.
• Oil and Fat: Peanuts, despite their name, aren't nuts at all; they're legumes, which are edible seeds grown in pods, like green peas (their above-ground cousin), lentils and other beans. Nutritionally, however, peanuts are considered a nut and contain high amounts of oil and fat. As RSPCA Australia notes, fat trimmings and fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, a very painful and dangerous condition, so oily, high-fat foods like peanut butter aren't pet-friendly and can lead to gastrointestinal issues.
• Sodium: Natural peanuts don't contain any sodium, but roasted peanuts, found in many peanut butters, are high in sodium (and oil). Avoid feeding your cat salty foods. As Lort Smith Animal Hospital explains, salt draws fluid out of your cat's cells, causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and your cat could experience vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst and/or urination and even depression, seizures and other serious health problems, with clinical signs appearing within minutes of ingestion. Much like cats eating cheese, the sodium in human foods can also contribute to heart issues.