Nuts for cats: can they be given, benefits and harm?

Peanuts are a high source of protein, making them a popular food choice for people as they provide an energy boost, are easily available, and come in a variety of flavors! They are easy to take with you on the road or enjoy at home.

But are they really that good for cats? Can cats eat dry roasted peanuts?

Peanuts are not toxic to cats, but they can pose a choking hazard, and cats, like humans, can be allergic to peanuts (although this is extremely rare). If your cat doesn't have allergies, is supervised at mealtimes, and eats them only occasionally, dry roasted peanuts can be a good treat.

Note: We chose dry roasted peanuts for several reasons:

1. This question is often asked by pet owners as dry roasted peanuts are a common food item in households.

2. Dry roasted peanuts have no salt or additional seasoning, so pet owners usually wonder if they are safe, as opposed to salted or seasoned peanuts, which are much less safe. You also don't have to worry about oils.

So, can cats eat dry roasted peanuts?

Peanuts are not toxic to cats, but they can pose a choking hazard, and cats, like humans, can be allergic to peanuts (although this is extremely rare). If your cat doesn't have allergies, is supervised at mealtimes, and only eats them occasionally, dry roasted peanuts can be a good treat.

Prohibited Products

Let's take a closer look at products that are harmful, and sometimes even dangerous for cats. What not to feed our furry pets.

Chocolate, products containing cocoa. You can often see videos posted online, showing how funny a cat looks, jumping up and catching pieces of chocolate in flight. A funny video, a sea of ​​positive emotions and undeniable harm caused to the cat's health. The thing is that chocolate contains the substance theobromine, which is quite toxic to the cat’s body.

Once in the animal's body, it can cause an attack of arrhythmia, affect rapid heartbeat and have a diuretic effect. This is if you feed your cat chocolate regularly. If she eats chocolate from time to time, hyperactivity can be observed, and cats also begin to feel thirsty. Eating too much chocolate at one time can trigger a heart attack, as well as cause vomiting and diarrhea. As you can see, cute entertainment can cause serious damage to a cat’s health.

Do cats like dry roasted peanuts?

It depends on the cat. Some cats may steal a couple of peanuts, usually because they see you eating them and want a snack, and then discover that they like them. Others don't care.

If your cat tries dry roasted peanuts and likes them, it's not unusual because there are many cats who like them. There are many jokes about cats that enjoy chewing peanuts. And they definitely enjoy playing with them in the husks because they make noise!

Features of the digestive system

Cats are predators, everyone knows that. The process of hunting itself gives them unimaginable pleasure. Well, it’s quite natural that the hunt ends with a catch of prey. Cats are calculating and smart in their jumps, which means that very often the hunt ends with the extraction of meat. Their intestines and teeth are designed so that they can eat raw meat, tearing apart their prey. Where can we get away from the genes of predatory ancestors? After all, this is the only food that cats could get while living in the wild. They could also chew grass for medicinal purposes; this, perhaps, was all their food.

But domesticated cats are luckier. Their diet is quite extensive and consists not only of meat. Caring owners add fish, vegetables, dairy products, eggs, grains, cereals and sometimes goodies to it. It is the goodies that are the most dangerous for a cat, and this is a fairly large list of products that you need to know by heart :

• chocolate,
• nuts,
• mushrooms,
• potato,
• beans and all legumes,
• alcohol,
• tomatoes,
• garlic and onion,
• grape,
• citruses.

Can dry roasted peanuts kill my cat?

Dry roasted peanuts are non-toxic to cats, meaning they won't kill your cat, all other things being equal. But, as usual, the truth is more complex.

First of all, you should only give your cats a couple of unshelled, dry roasted (or just raw) peanuts. Keep an eye on your cat while she eats them, as peanuts can be a choking hazard (and kittens shouldn't be given peanuts at all, as they won't be able to chew them properly).

Make sure there are no shells, as shell fragments can hurt your cat's throat if swallowed.

The questionable benefits of nuts for cats

Many nuts contain arginine, which is an integral part of a cat's diet. Yes, indeed, arginine takes part in the synthesis of urea from ammonia, stimulation of the secretion of growth hormone and insulin. But this amino acid is found in excess in meat and offal, so giving nuts solely to satisfy your cat’s need for arginine is not worth it. Still, the risk of poisoning is much greater than the benefit received. And the content of other beneficial substances in nuts is so negligible compared to fats and toxins that the benefits of this product for cats are out of the question.

Many felines often beg for treats that are strictly contraindicated for them. You should not succumb to some kind of provocation and still, at least sometimes, pamper your pet with nuts. A properly balanced diet is the secret to the health and longevity of cats.

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Second, peanuts can cause allergies in cats, ranging from itching and sneezing to digestive problems such as diarrhea and vomiting to severe reactions such as difficulty breathing that require immediate veterinary attention.

If your cat has an allergic reaction to peanuts, never feed him peanuts again as the allergy may get worse.

Allergic reactions to watch out for:

• Itching
• teary eyes
• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• Swelling
• Wheezing from a sore throat

And in severe cases - difficulty breathing.

Luckily, peanut allergies in cats are incredibly rare, but you never know! You don't want to be the one who discovers a peanut allergy too late, simply because you assumed it couldn't be there.

Finally, although peanuts are a high source of protein, they are a high source of plant protein, which is different from animal protein. Cats are not designed to eat plant protein, so nutritionally, they don't gain anything special from eating it.

They are also very high in fat (some of them are healthy fats, but still), so eating peanuts for a long time can cause your cat to become overweight and severely undernourished at the same time.

Peanuts are a good source of manganese, niacin, vitamin E and biotin (as well as healthy fats), but most cats get these from their regular food, so peanuts don't contribute much to their nutritional needs. It's actually just a treat that can be given to cats from time to time (provided there are no allergic reactions).

So no, peanuts probably won't kill your cat, but it's important to keep an eye on her while she eats so she doesn't choke or give you a bad reaction behind your back.

Walnuts, almonds and macadamia nuts

These types of nuts are deadly for cats . And even a small amount of them can kill a pet. And macadamia nuts are overloaded with a potent toxin for cats. Poisoning with such a substance causes severe damage to the nervous and digestive systems of cats, causing severe spasms and convulsions in all muscle groups.

How many dry roasted peanuts can my cat eat?

Any peanuts your cat eats should not contain any flavoring (not even sugar) or coating. Dry roasted or raw peanuts work best for this as they are common. Peanuts should be served without the husks.

Otherwise, it all depends on how you want your cat to eat them. Most cats probably won't eat them whole as they are a bit difficult for cats to eat, but if they are cut into small pieces or crushed they will probably be more popular.

Cats also like to eat peanut butter occasionally, but it should be served in very small quantities and in a brand that has absolutely no artificial sweeteners. If you are going to use peanuts, it is best to give them raw or dry roasted because you know exactly what is in them.

Expect to give your cat just one or two nuts every now and then, perhaps once a week. Otherwise, you run the risk of your cat becoming too interested in the peanuts and starting to ignore her regular food, which will not be good for her. Cats should be supervised while they eat peanuts (or play with peanuts in their shells!).

Nuts on the menu for domestic cats

Nuts most often top the list of foods prohibited for feeding furry pets. And there are several very serious reasons for this:

1. Many nuts that are harmless to the human body contain toxins that are extremely harmful and even dangerous for representatives of the cat world.
2. Most nuts are heavy, fatty foods that put a strain on the animal's liver. As you know, this organ is not able to cope with such food. This also threatens the cat's obesity.
3. Nuts are rich in phosphorus, which is necessary and beneficial for a cat’s body, but in extremely moderate quantities. And when consuming nuts and seeds, even in small quantities, there is a high risk of an excess of this component. When there is an excess of a microelement, alarming symptoms begin to appear. The pet becomes inactive, lethargic, and apathetic. Sudden vomiting may occur for no apparent reason. The cat does not eat or drink, even refusing its favorite treats. This condition requires mandatory intervention on the part of the owner. You should exclude nuts and seeds from your cat’s diet and be sure to visit a veterinary clinic with your pet.
4. Many nuts contain the protein amino acid arginine, which is involved in important metabolic processes. It is necessary for the synthesis of urea from ammonia, stimulation of the secretion of growth hormone and insulin. But this is not a reason to give your cat nuts. It is possible to provide the animal’s body with a sufficient amount of arginine in a safer way. For example, there is a lot of this element in meat, a product that the feline digestive system perfectly digests and assimilates. This is how these representatives of the fauna are arranged.

And in order to completely eliminate the possibility of violations, it is better to completely exclude these products from the cat’s menu. It is important to warn household members and guests that such a treat can threaten the cat’s death.

"Killer" nuts

Almost all fruits with a hard shell and edible core contain toxic substances. Often their concentration is insignificant.

However, there are some of the most dangerous nuts that can be fatal. This category includes:

• walnut;
• almond;
• macadamia.

Dangerous consequences. They are the most toxic; eating them can cause damage to the animal’s central nervous system and digestive tract. Severe intoxication is accompanied by intense spasms and convulsions, affecting muscle tissue of all groups. Poisoning also manifests itself in a number of less pronounced symptoms:

1. Indigestion - a foamy impurity may appear in loose stools, and the vomit is also foamy.
2. Changes in behavior - anxiety, nervousness or, conversely, melancholy and apathy.
3. Decreased activity - the cat hides away from the owner and lies down most of the time.
4. Changes in the color of the mucous membrane - it may become pale, bluish, red or yellowed.

This set of violations threatens the pet’s life, which means it must be immediately shown to a veterinarian.

Not all cat owners understand the dangers nuts pose and periodically give them to their pets. And they, in turn, often turn out to be real gourmets and beg for a forbidden delicacy. In such a situation, it is better for the owner to exercise prudence and not expose his furry pet to such serious risks.

Feeding a kitten natural food

I wanted to consult with you about feeding a 2-month-old kitten. I would like to diversify my diet and make sure that my dear Shelly gets everything her growing body needs. Now I feed her boiled and raw chicken, sour cream, milk, cottage cheese, turkey, boiled chicken liver, boiled sea fish (rarely), raw yolk mixed with milk, and sometimes I give her boiled broccoli. I tried to give him beef once, but I refused, both raw and cooked. I read somewhere that it is harmful to constantly feed poultry, and also that when feeding natural birds, you must add calcium. Please tell me how we can diversify our menu and what vitamins and supplements we should buy.

How lovely. Just an angel!))) Feed him well. Only I would exclude the sour cream (too fatty) and slowly eliminate the milk. If you don't eat beef, it's generally not a problem. Just in addition to chicken and turkey, give rabbit and game. Then the lack of coarse beef proteins will not have any effect. After all, cats don't eat cows in nature. But just in case, I’ll write what diet I try to stick to (if you close your eyes to 50% of canned food feeding)

1) Meat products: - beef, veal. It is better to eat it raw in large pieces (to cleanse teeth, massage gums and strengthen cheeks). You can give it at least every day. The meat is quite rich in amino acid content and protein-fat ratio. Although not entirely suitable for feeding a small predator (which is a cat). With a varied diet, you can try it with age. At first mine ate little at all, but now they eat almost everything. - chicken. It can be boiled or raw. This is how you like it. Chicken proteins are well digestible, but they are quite poor in vitamins and fats. Especially the breast. Chicken, of course, is better to give it domestically, from proven poultry farms. Imported ones are stuffed with unknown things, but domestic ones are at least known. Suitable for regular consumption, but a diet of only chicken leads to vitamin deficiencies, destruction of bone tissue, etc. So you need to diversify your diet. - turkey. Suitable for periodic feeding, because... the meat is coarser than chicken (including the content of all sorts of antibiotic and hormonal rubbish). - Duck and goose are too fat for a cat. Therefore, you can give a small piece of very, very lean meat 1-2 times a month. - rabbit. In my opinion, one of the best types of meat for cats. By the way, rabbits are the natural prey of cats in nature. So if possible, feed rabbit meat more often. - lamb is too fatty. So it’s better not to give it either. You can eat lean lamb more often. Meat is very rich in nutrients and energy, but fat content limits its consumption, unfortunately. - quail, hazel grouse, pheasants, woodcocks, partridges, etc. - a very good source of protein for a cat. Especially if they are caught in the wild. The meat is clean, free of antibiotic hormones, suitable in size, rich in protein and contains fairly little fat. - fish. Once a week or two, only sea fish without bones. I give mine tilapia and sole, halibut, as well as salmon (my husband and I just don’t eat other fish ourselves). Fish contains all sorts of benefits such as fatty acids and microelements, but its frequent consumption is harmful to the cat’s health (it interferes with the absorption of vitamin K and B and disrupts the balance of calcium and phosphorus, which leads to urolithiasis and kidney disease). - seafood. You can sometimes treat yourself to squid, mussel (good for joints, contains glucosamine), shrimp or octopus. But you shouldn’t get carried away with such self-indulgence either, because... This is not a natural cat food and may cause health problems. Once or twice a month, no more. - by-products. Here we can give everything that we eat ourselves. It can be boiled, it can be raw. But you can’t have too much liver, it is too rich in nutrients and vitamins (in particular vitamin A), which, if overeated, can destroy the animal’s liver or cause vomiting (I vomit from raw turkey giblets, for example). Hearts, ventricles, sometimes liver (preferably chicken and other small animals) can be given 2-3 times a week.

2) Sour milk: - cottage cheese. Contains a lot of calcium and protein. Cottage cheese with a fat content of no more than 5-9% can be given 3-4 times a week. - kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, matsoni, Varenets, etc. — fat content of no more than 6-8% is possible at least every day. Supports intestinal microflora, an additional source of calcium, protein and water. It helps “to get rid of annoying beggars in between feedings.”

3) Vegetables: - pumpkin, zucchini, lettuce, flowers. cabbage, broccoli, green beans, spinach, carrots, beets, cucumber. On a fine grater or in a blender and mix into meat dishes. I mix it into raw offal, because... I give the meat in large pieces and it’s not convenient to mix. I won’t say anything about the frequency of feeding vegetables - I asked this question on the forum for discussion. I give 1/5-1/4 of the total daily ration 2-3 times a week.

4) Cereals: - it is absolutely not necessary to give them, some even believe that they should not be given at all. But I give it when it is necessary to slightly increase the volume of feeding, without increasing the amount of protein food. Suitable buckwheat or rice flakes, 5-grain flakes or bran steamed with water (5 minutes). About 1 teaspoon of dry flakes per day. Mixed into fermented milk or meat dishes.

5) Other: - vegetable oil (flaxseed is preferable, olive oil is fine). Literally 2-3 drops, well, 0.5 teaspoons per day maximum. To improve digestion, for an additional source of fatty acids. Flaxseed oil has a great effect on the coat. - eggs. Either 1/4 of a chicken egg yolk or a whole quail egg. 2-3 times a week. Fats, vitamins. You can't do too much. — seaweed (NOT pickled, NOT spicy, you can buy dried for sushi) a pinch a couple of times a month. Vitamins in it. — vitamins (complex). here you need to look at the variety of the menu and the general condition of the cat (joint mobility, condition of the skin, fur, claws, biochemical blood test also shows a lot). Many people advise giving vitamins constantly, but I think this is unnecessary, because... hypervitaminosis is much worse than vitamin deficiency. I give 1/2-1/3 of the daily value (I give Beaphar vitamins) indicated on the package sometimes (not every day) exclusively as a treat. Good vitamins from 8in1. If the kitty eats cottage cheese well and receives complex vitamins, then it is not necessary to give calcium. — treats for cleaning teeth, removing hair, and just being a treat. I give it at half the daily dosage as a reward and sometimes as treats.

Natural food for cats: benefit or harm?

Without a doubt, the cat is the most popular pet in the world. According to estimates (approximate, of course), there are now from 400 to 600 million domestic cats (precisely domestic, not stray) in the world. Of course, good owners strive in every possible way to ensure that their mustachioed pets are healthy and happy and live as long as possible. And, perhaps, this depends to the greatest extent on proper nutrition. However, in such a matter, desire alone is not enough. Often, a completely sincere desire to please a cat with something tasty can lead to serious health problems. The Murkosha shelter team will help you understand the nuances of proper nutrition!

1. Products harmful to cats
2. The importance of proper nutrition
3. Eating in a natural environment and eating natural food at home are the same thing?
4. So what should you feed your cat?

The importance of proper nutrition

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), life expectancy most depends on proper nutrition and lifestyle (50%, 20% each due to environmental conditions and heredity, 10% to the level of development of medical care). Of course, these statistics were collected for people, but in general they are also true for cats.

But what does proper nutrition for a cat mean? To answer this question, you need to look at the diet of its wild ancestors in their natural habitat. It is to this diet that the cat has adapted in the process of evolution; it is this diet that meets the peculiarities of its metabolism.

Eating in a natural environment and eating natural food at home are the same thing?

The cat is an obligate carnivore, that is, a predator that feeds exclusively on animal prey. First of all, these are small mammals, birds, and some fish. Accordingly, the basis of cat nutrition is proteins (optimally 35-45%), fats (no more than 20%) of animal origin and carbohydrates from vegetables and herbs (15-20%) - the latter is found in the stomachs of rodents (the main prey of wild cats).

At first glance, everything seems clear: cats need natural nutrition. About the same as food from the human table, but, of course, with an emphasis on meat. However, this was not the case! There are two very important nuances.

You might be thinking: since a cat is an obligate carnivore, it means it needs meat. A lot of meat. This means you need to feed her only raw meat (or fish) - and everything will be fine. But, as you yourself understand, the prey of cats in their natural habitat could not be just pieces of meat (like those that can now be bought in the supermarket). Let's take, for example, a small rodent: it has meat, offal (liver, kidneys, heart - needed as a source of some useful substances), and a stomach with contents in the form of plant foods (cereals, vegetables). The latter is a source of carbohydrates and fiber, which are also absolutely necessary for cats on a natural diet. If you feed your pet only meat, then its diet cannot be called balanced. This poses the question: is it possible to provide complete natural nutrition for cats and kittens at home?

Cats and chocolate

Chocolate covered nuts are a wonderful treat for people, but under no circumstances should they be given to animals. It is unlikely that a cat will express a desire to take a bite from a chocolate bar, but it may be interested in chocolate-based drinks.

Chocolate contains an ingredient known as theobromine. The cat's body is not able to process it. This can lead to a buildup of toxic substances in the body, as well as severe health consequences such as kidney failure.

The following are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning:

• Vomit
• Diarrhea
• Rapid breathing
• Cardiopalmus
• Convulsions
• Ossification of muscle tissue
• Fever

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.