This cat blog will answer the major question, “Can cats eat peanuts?” we will also discuss the threats of consuming peanuts for your cat, whether your cat can eat roasted peanuts, and how you can safely give peanuts to your cat.
Can cats eat peanuts?
Yes, cats can eat peanuts but occasionally and in very small amounts. Consuming commercially available peanuts is not good because it has salt and seasonings which can cause problems for your cat. You can devise ways to give peanuts to your cat safely and the cats love to eat them.
What are the threats of consuming peanuts for your cat?
Following are the threats of consuming peanuts for your cat:
Choking
The shell of the peanuts is hard and is not digested by the stomach of the cat. Too many peanuts can cause choking in your cat because it gets stuck in the esophagus, thereby blocking the esophagus of the body. The expanded esophagus can put pressure on the trachea leading to a tracheal collapse in your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of choking in your cat:
- Head towards the ground
- Unable to vomit
- Unable to cough
- Pawing at head
- Restlessness
- Weakness
Stomach upset
Too many peanuts can upset the stomach of your cat because of the high-fat content in it. A Cat’s stomach is not specialized to digest plant protein and fat so it will lead to digestive upset in your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of stomach upset in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
Obesity
The next problem is obesity due to the excessive consumption of fatty peanuts. The extra fat content stored in the body leads to a heavier body. Obesity has severe consequences.
Obesity can lead to diabetes, chronic joint problems, and heart disease.
The first effect of obesity is heart disease. Heart disease is due to the high-fat content that can block the major arteries supplying the heart. When the blood supply to the heart is cut off for a long period it can lead to heart problems such as heart disease.
The next problem is diabetes which is due to the continuously increasing weight of the cat. With every pound increase in weight, it increases the risk of diabetes in your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of diabetes in your cat:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Obesity
- Slow healing of the wound
Diabetes is of two types, one is called diabetes mellitus and the other is called diabetes insipidus. Both are dangerous for your cat but the most common is diabetes mellitus due to insulin insufficiency in the body.
Diabetes insipidus is due to the deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone which is released in the body that is used to store water. If there is a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone in the body, the water is not conserved in the body which can lead to dehydration in the body.
The next problem is chronic joint inflammation also known as arthritis. Arthritis can be very painful for your cat so you need to be very careful about the weight gain of the cat.
Can cats eat roasted peanuts?
Yes, cats can eat roasted peanuts. It is better not to add any kind of seasonings or salt to it. It is better to offer a small number of roasted peanuts to your cat so that it doesn’t lead to any kind of problems.
How can you give peanuts safely to your cat?
Following are the things you should consider before giving peanuts to your cat:
- You should deshell the peanuts before giving them to your cat as it can save your cat from choking and intestinal obstruction.
- You shouldn’t add any kind of salt and seasonings to it as seasonings like garlic and onion can cause toxicity in your cat.
- You should give peanuts once a week to your cat. The peanuts should be consumed as treats, not as food for your cat.
- You should eat peanuts at the rate of 10% of your body weight otherwise it can lead to obesity and other problems.
What can you do if your cat ate too many peanuts?
If your cat has eaten too many peanuts you should call your vet as he can give you the right advice. In severe condition take your cat to the vet for treatment. The sooner you reach the vet clinic the better chance of your cat’s survival.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the major question, “Can cats eat peanuts?” we also covered the threats of consuming peanuts for your cat, whether your cat can eat roasted peanuts, and how you can safely give peanuts to your cat.
References
https://www.google.com/amp/s/cattime.com/cat-facts/health/40326-can-cats-eat-peanuts%3famp
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/can-cats-eat-peanut-butter-peanuts-cat-health-tips-allergies
