Can Cats Eat Almond Butter?

Almond butter is not a good treat for cats. Plain almond butter is not a known poison for cats, so one small lick is unlikely to be an emergency. But it is full of fat, and the ASPCA says the fat in nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea. A complete cat food is what your cat needs.

Why is almond butter not great for cats?

The ASPCA says nuts have a lot of oil and fat. That fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea. In some pets it may also lead to pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas, the organ that helps digest food.

Almond butter is crushed almonds, so the fat is packed into every spoonful. A small lick has a lot of fat for a small animal.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats are meat-eaters and shouldn’t simply eat what people eat. It also says owners should avoid giving table scraps. Almond butter is a people food, and your cat has no need for it.

Is xylitol in almond butter a problem for cats?

Xylitol is a sugar substitute. It is in some sugar-free foods, and the ASPCA lists nut butters among the products that may contain it. Read the label.

Here is the good news for cat owners. The ASPCA says cats are not negatively affected by xylitol. The bad news is that it is very dangerous for dogs. If you have a dog too, keep any xylitol product away from it, and see our guide on peanut butter for cats for more on label checks.

Other things to look for on the label:

• Salt. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause extra thirst and peeing, and very high amounts can be serious.
• Sugar and flavors. Chocolate or honey almond butters add things your cat doesn’t need.
• Extra oils. More oil means even more fat.

What are the signs of a belly problem in cats?

After eating fatty food, watch your cat for:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Not wanting to eat
• Being tired or weak

The Merck Veterinary Manual lists these among the signs of pancreatitis, along with dehydration, fever, and belly pain. It also says some cats show no signs at all. It says the cause is often unknown, so no one can say how much fat will trigger it. Call your vet if your cat seems unwell.

How much almond butter can a cat have?

None of our sources give a safe amount of almond butter for cats, so we can’t give you one. The safest choice is to skip it.

If your cat licked a little off a spoon, that is unlikely to cause trouble. Just don’t make it a habit. Cornell says treats should be occasional and stay within 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. A complete cat food should make up the rest.

What can cats have instead?

• A few small pieces of plain, fully cooked chicken. See can cats eat chicken.
• A treat made for cats, in a small amount.
• A bit of your cat’s own wet food, as a special reward.

Almonds themselves have the same fat problem. Read more in can cats eat almonds.