There seems to be some conflicting info out there with regards to the question of can cats eat cashew nuts? There are seemingly many cat owners taking to the internet to ask this question after their curious feline has helped itself to a bag of nuts, seemingly enjoying them as much as we do.
So what’s the answer? We know that nuts can often be harmful, but what about cashews? Are these harmful to cats in anyway?
Can Cats Eat Cashews
It is true that there are some very poisonous nuts out there and that eating them can seriously harm your cat. But the same can’t be said for cashews, at least not in that way. Cats should not eat cashews, let’s get that out of the way straight away, but if you learn that they have eaten one or two, then you can stop worrying, because allergies aside, there shouldn’t be any issues.
However, a lot of them may cause problems and continued ingestion may also cause issues. That’s because cashews are very high in fat and that’s not good for cats. A cat’s diet should be rich in protein, with minimal fat and pretty much minimal everything else. There is protein in cashew, of course, but there is also a lot of fat and that can cause digestive upset.
If you have a kitten or an older cat, then cashews may cause more problems in smaller doses. Their bodies are less capable of digesting all of that fat and they may experience some discomfort as a result.
Why Cats Can’t Eat Cashews
There are other issues with cats consuming cashews and these concern the things that are added to them. cashews are really sold in their natural form. They are often coated with salt, sugar and/or honey in order to make them a little sweeter and to give them more of a fuller flavors.
Oils can also be added to keep them fresh and moist during a roast. As you can imagine, this is not good for cats who really need to keep their fat consumption to a minimum. Salts and sugars are just as bad though, so keep cashew nuts away from you feline friends at all times.
They have a way of getting in bags, of sneaking into kitchens and of simply stealing food from under your nose. With many foods that are dangerous to them, they will not have a taste for them (most cats will turn their nose up at grapes, for instance, and they are very toxic). But there are many exceptions (yoghurt, milk and cheese) and cats don’t always know what’s good for them.
So, the best thing to do is just to keep all cashew nuts completely out of reach. This is even more essential if you have a particularly mischievous cat who loves to eat everything it can get its hands on. You know the sort—we have one of our own and they are a nightmare!
So, just to sum it up: Can Pets Eat Cashew Nuts – No! Although a few sneaky nuts will probably not cause any harm.