It’s natural to want to treat our feline friends to some of the foods we enjoy. However, we also know that not all human foods are safe for cats to consume. One common food item that may come to mind is butter. You might be wondering, can cats eat butter? While it may seem harmless, it’s important to understand the potential risks and benefits of feeding butter to your cat. We’ll provide some insights to help you make an informed decision about whether or not to include butter in your cat’s diet.
Can Cats Eat Butter?
The short answer is “no.” Butter is not a good choice for your cat. It’s high in fat and doesn’t contain any nutritional value that your cat needs.
The long answer is “yes, but only a little bit once in a while,” but we don’t recommend it because of the high-fat content.
When is it okay for cats to eat butter or other dairy products?
- If your cat has an upset stomach or has trouble digesting food normally, you can try adding butter or cream to their diet. This should help them feel better and heal faster.
- You can also try feeding your cat some ice cream occasionally as a treat if they have no other food allergies but aren’t lactose intolerant! Just ensure it’s not too cold—cats don’t like ice-cold treats like dogs do!
Why is butter bad for cats?
When you feed them a diet that’s high in fat, it can make them sick. If you want to give your cat some butter occasionally, ensure they get enough protein and carbohydrates from other sources to stay healthy!
Will a little butter hurt my cat?
Butter is not poisonous to cats. In fact, it can be a healthy treat for cats. Cats are natural carnivores and need a high amount of protein in their diet. Butter is high in fat, so it helps satisfy this need while helping your cat absorb important nutrients like vitamins A and D3.
Butter would only be toxic to your cat if you give them too much of it. This can happen if you accidentally add too much butter to their food or if they eat it by itself.
What happens if my cat eats butter?
If your cat eats a lot of butter, he/she can get sick.
Butter is pure fat, so it’s not good for your cat to eat. It’s not poisonous in the way that certain foods are, but cats don’t have the same digestive system as humans, who need fat and protein in their diets. Butter doesn’t have enough nutrients for a cat to digest it properly.
If your cat eats a lot of butter, you can expect some symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. They may also act lethargic or weak.
If your cat consumes butter, what should you do?
If your cat eats butter, don’t panic. It’s not an emergency. But it is a good idea to act quickly to keep your cat healthy.
First, determine exactly how much butter your cat ate. If it was just a bite or two and he’s acting normal, you don’t have to worry about him being sick—monitor him for symptoms over the next few hours. If he ate more than that and seems sick or lethargic, it’s time to call the vet!
About Butter
Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It is generally used as a spread with a creamy consistency and rich flavor. Butter is also used in cooking and baking, as well as being a common topping for breads, pastries and other baked goods. Butter can be made from any mammal’s milk, but cows’ milk is most commonly used. Besides butter, several other dairy products are also made from cream, such as ghee (clarified butter) and yogurt. Butter is often in the form of a stick or a small block of about 1 inch in diameter.
Butter Nutritional Facts
- Calories per serving: 100
- Total Fat: 13g (Saturated Fat: 8g)
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Carbohydrates: 0g
Foods that are unsafe for cats
- Apples
- Avocado
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Citrus fruits and juice (lemons, limes and oranges)
- Grapes and raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Milk and dairy products (except small amounts of plain yogurt)
- Onions and garlic
- Salt (sodium chloride)
- Soybeans and soybean products (like tofu)
- Strawberries
FAQ
Is it OK to give cats butter for hairballs?
Yes, it’s totally fine to give your cat butter for hairballs.
Butter is made up of about 82% fat, so it’ll help lubricate your cat’s digestive system and reduce the amount of hair that gets stuck in its stomach.
Conclusion
Cats can eat butter if they want to, but they shouldn’t. While it’s true that butter is a dairy product and therefore, not wholly inappropriate for felines, we encourage you not to give it to your cat. There are much better alternatives out there.