When you have your toast ready in the morning, your inquisitive cat might be sniffing the butter on the counter – is this OK, and can cats eat butter without any harmful side effects?
Butter is not toxic to cats, but it’s also not good for them. Here’s what you need to know about feeding butter to your cat.
Is butter harmful to cats?
Regular white butter is non-toxic and safe for cats to eat in small amounts. However, do not have So, butter is good for cats, but you definitely shouldn’t feed them too much of it.
Butter is very high in fat and can irritate your cat’s intestinal tract and pancreas, causing gastroenteritis and Pancreatitis. Some cats may experience vomiting and diarrhea, but this is usually mild. However, for cats with pancreatitis, symptoms can be much more severe. They may experience more severe vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Most cats can tolerate a few licks of butter, but many (if not most) cats may run into problems if they eat large amounts.
Can cats eat flavored butter?
You should never intentionally feed your cat butter, including flavored butters. Many flavored butters contain ingredients that can make your cat sick, such as: Onions and garlic are toxic to cats, and many herbs are not well tolerated by cats.
My cat ate butter, what should I do?
If your cat licks a little bit of butter, it’s probably fine — most animals will experience mild vomiting and diarrhea at worst, which will go away on its own within a day.
However, if your cat has eaten a large amount of butter, it is wise to contact your vet for further advice. You should definitely contact your vet if your cat exhibits any of the following symptoms:
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Signs of significant abdominal discomfort (restlessness, bloating, gas, not wanting to be held, etc.)
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I do not want to eat
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experience vomiting or diarrhea that lasts for more than a day
Can butter kill a cat?
No, butter is not toxic so it will not kill your cat. For most cats, the most serious problem caused by butter is mild gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea.
What to feed your cat instead
If you want to share treats with your cat, the best options are human-grade lean meats, including:
These are much safer than fatty foods like butter and still provide valuable nutrients. Several commercial companies produce freeze-dried meat treats, such as: Pure Bites® and Whole Life®which is very popular with our feline friends.
Remember that treats, even if they are healthy meat-based, should only make up 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake – the remaining 90% should come from a balanced cat food.
