You walk into the kitchen to find your curious cat eating something that they shouldn’t, but should you be worried about dairy products like butter?
If you’re new to being a cat parent, you might be curious to know: Can cats eat butter?
In this article, I will explore some key information about cats, including whether cats can eat butter.
Let’s get started.
Can Cats Eat Butter?
Cats can eat butter in that it isn’t toxic for them, but this doesn’t mean that they should.
While it won’t be too much of an issue if you catch your cat licking the butter, if they were to consume a lot of it, they could become very ill.
The primary reason for this is that butter is a dairy product, which means it contains lactose.
This isn’t suitable for cats, as they are lactose intolerant.
This means that when a cat consumes butter, they can experience nausea and could become very ill depending on how much they eat.
Other symptoms include diarrhea, as well as vomiting. Butter has no nutritional value for your cat.
While a little bit won’t harm your cat and you shouldn’t panic if you find them in the refrigerator licking the butter, you shouldn’t voluntarily give it to them.
Due to the high fat content, butter can also make your cat overweight, increasing their risk of disabling diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which require expensive treatments and can also be fatal if you’re not mindful of this.
So, in the same way that junk food isn’t good for us, it’s not wise to give your cat butter due to its rich fat content.
While it may taste good to them, it’s not good for them, so even if they seem to enjoy it you shouldn’t encourage them to eat it.
Is Butter Bad For Cats?
Butter isn’t a healthy food for people, so you can only imagine how unhealthy it is for cats to consume it.
While you probably won’t need to panic if your cat has consumed a little bit, it’s definitely not something that they should be consuming on a regular basis.
The main concern with cats eating butter is that they have sensitive stomachs and they are actually lactose intolerant.
As a result, their digestive systems aren’t designed to process large amounts of fatty substances like butter, which can lead to a variety of problems like diarrhea and vomiting.
More seriously, cats can experience gastroenteritis which is when the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed, or pancreatitis, which is when the pancreas becomes inflamed.
If your cat gets into the butter, you will need to closely monitor them depending on how much butter they consumed.
While butter isn’t toxic for cats, if they ate a large amount, they are likely to experience the symptoms I mentioned above.
You will need to ensure that they’re drinking enough fresh water to remain hydrated.
If your cat does start exhibiting these symptoms, you shouldn’t hesitate to call your vet at your nearest opportunity.
They will be able to assess your cat’s condition and recommend treatment for them. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Are There Any Health Benefits To Feeding Your Cat Butter?
The health benefits of feeding your cat butter are few and far between.
It’s true that some cat owners believe that giving their furry friend a small amount of butter may help your cat put on weight, but this isn’t enough to justify giving it to your cat.
While butter contains trace amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B-12, vitamin D, protein, and calcium, it doesn’t contain to boost their overall health or for you to claim that it’s a health benefit.
In addition to this, eating excess amounts of butter compromises a cat’s health in more ways than one.
As I’ve already established, eating butter can cause your cat’s lactose intolerance to flair up, causing symptoms such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea.
In addition to this, it can cause gas and indigestion.
Overall, the cons of feeding your cat butter far outweigh the pros, and there are much healthier foods that you can provide them that don’t compromise their health in the same way as butter.
Can You Feed Your Cat Vegan Butter?
While it is true that vegan butter contains less fat when compared to traditional dairy butter, the majority of vegan butter brands use vegetables that are high in fat, and as a result aren’t necessarily a better alternative for your cat.
As a result, vegan butter isn’t really something that you should be feeding your cat either, as in the context of your cat’s health, plant-based butter or oil is no better than any dairy product.
Bearing this in mind, it’s best to keep your cat away from food made for humans.
Keeping your cat as healthy as possible through a balanced diet should be your priority over giving your cat treats here and there.
There are a variety of other options that make better treats for your cat than vegan butter, so it’s better to choose something that is in line with their healthy, balanced diet.
After all, you don’t want them putting on unnecessary weight and strain on their body, you want them to be able to thrive!
How Much Butter Is Too Much For A Cat?
It’s difficult to say exactly how much butter is too much for a cat.
However, most experts agree that it’s best to avoid giving your cat butter altogether.
While it’s possible that your cat might find a small amount of butter appealing, it’s best to keep them away from it.
If they do get into the butter, you will need to be prepared to call your vet if they begin to show symptoms that they are unwell.
If your cat eats a substantial amount of butter, then you will need to make sure that you call the vet at your nearest opportunity to ensure they’re in the best hands possible.
Conclusion
Although it’s not toxic to them, it’s not recommended for your cat to eat butter.
This comes down to the fact that cats are lactose intolerant, and butter has no nutritional value.
That being said, if your cat consumes a small amount of butter, it’s not the end of the world.
A small amount of butter isn’t likely to harm them, however, you should closely monitor them and ensure they’re getting enough water to remain hydrated.
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
