Can Cats Eat Almonds and Other Nuts?

After vegetables and fruits, nuts are the second, or rather, the third king of micronutrients. Yes, these nuts are one of the healthiest foods that you can incorporate into your diet. Of all the nuts, almonds are the most popular. They are nutritious and delicious.

People like to eat almonds, salted almonds, roasted almonds or mixed with raisins and chocolate. They can also be added to smoothies and salads. Recently, almond flour, almond butter, and almond milk have also gained popularity. In short, almonds are delicious and we love to eat them because we know they are good for our bodies and maybe even our souls (if you are a believer).

Can cats eat almonds?

Let’s start with a fundamental premise: fruit is not present in the cat’s natural diet. The feline does not need it in nature nor does it totally without it. This does not mean that you cannot taste the fruit and that in the right amount it cannot have benefits for your health. But a lot of attention is needed.

It is necessary to respect what are the innate eating characteristics of the cat, which is a carnivore. And therefore their diet should be based almost exclusively on meat. Only 10% of your letter can find other foods: fish in the first place, but also cereals and fruits.

It is very important to act with caution when feeding the cat: there are so many fruits that are prohibited for cats. Almonds too? Unfortunately, yes, it is absolutely not recommended to feed the cat with almonds. Explore the world of cat-friendly chicken livers in our detailed guide. Learn how to prepare these nutritious and delicious treats that your feline friend will adore. We provide step-by-step instructions to ensure your cat’s liver treats are both safe and irresistible.

Why Are Almonds Bad for Cats?

It is good to start with an assumption: the almond itself is not poisonous to the cat. If the cat accidentally ingests an almond or does so in a moment of inattention, there is no danger of feline poisoning. However, these are fruits that he cannot eat.

In fact, even eating almonds in very small amounts would not benefit the cat at all and the possible effects could only be negative. First of all, whole dried fruit contains large amounts of fat, which the cat is not able to assimilate properly.

If the cat ingests an excessive amount of almonds for its body, it could easily run into various problems, ranging from indigestion to vomiting, from diarrhea to kidney problems (in particular, there is a risk of this last disorder when the consumption of almonds is not occasional).

Almonds health benefits for cats

As a treat, are there any health benefits with almonds? After all, isn’t this a superfood?

Almonds are rich in vitamins

While adding a few almonds to their diet can do wonders to improve their health, the same cannot be said for cats. Unfortunately, most of the minerals and vitamins in almonds are wasted on cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, as are tigers, leopards, wildcats, and lions. So the only food they really benefit from is meat.

Nutrients

If you thought your bacon-and-ham-loving uncle was a “bitten carnivore,” you should know that he knows nothing about your cat. Being a carnivore is not just about having a sweet tooth for meat, it is something biological. Cats are designed to survive on nutrients extracted from the muscles, body organs, and blood of their prey. After millions of years of eating meat, cats have lost the ability to extract nutrients from plant foods. Cats cannot synthesize most of the amino acids that the human digestive system can synthesize. Also, to benefit from vitamin A, they need to get it in a preformed state, since they don’t have the “tools” to make it from beta-carotene.

good for the digestive system

The type of food your cat prefers is also reflected in the digestive system. This system is short, which means that the body does not have time to process the complex forms of nutrition in almonds. Since cats are not equipped to extract nutrients from almonds, your cat will gain very little from eating almonds.

On the other hand, keep in mind that there are several disadvantages to feeding cats almonds on a regular basis. What you should be most concerned about is cyanide poisoning. From the few or more spy movies you’ve seen, you know how quickly and effectively cyanide works as a killing agent. Minutes after ingestion, the victim died. There is very little time for first aid. Do you want it to be like this with your cat? Of course not!

Almonds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are naturally occurring toxins. This toxin is also found in apple seeds, peach pits, and cherries. At low concentrations, the toxin is almost harmless. But when consumed in large amounts, your cat can develop cyanide poisoning. This can happen if you eat too many almonds. Signs of cyanide poisoning include an upset stomach, dilated pupils, and difficulty breathing. In some severe cases, your cat may even go into shock and die.

Other possible problems with eating almonds in cats include:

stomachache

As I explain this, I need you to understand that not all cats experience this. Still, you should be careful when feeding your cat some almonds.

In addition to stomach upset from cyanide poisoning, the fat in almonds can also cause stomach upset. Yes, vegetable fat has a different composition than animal fat and your cat may have trouble digesting it.

The body’s natural responses to such health conditions include vomiting and diarrhea. This can remove the substance from the cat’s body. If this doesn’t work and fat accumulates in the body, your cat may develop pancreatitis.

almond and salt topping

Prepare tempting almonds covered with toppings and salt. One of the ingredients includes chocolate. Too much salt can cause your cat to develop sodium toxicity. This usually happens when your cat eats a lot of salt without drinking water. In some cases, this condition can lead to death.

Caution: Chocolate can be toxic to your cat. If the almonds have a chocolate coating, never give them to your cat, it will not end well.

Can Cats Eat Other Nuts?

Yes, nuts are not toxic to cats. Cats can eat a variety of nuts in moderation. Nuts are a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in fat and calories, making them ideal for cats on a healthy diet who need to lose weight or those who prefer low-fat foods. However, if your cat is overweight, consider giving them small servings of nuts (1 ounce) instead of one large serving each day so you can keep track of how much they are eating without worrying about what they are. overeat.

Are Almonds Safe or Poisonous to Your Cat?

Almond, also called tree nut, is a type of nut. It comes from the same family as pecans and walnuts. Almonds contain calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which can help keep your cat healthy. If you feed your cat daily raw or cooked almonds (no more than 1/4 cup per day), she will get all the nutrients she needs to stay strong and healthy.

You may find that some cats don’t like eating almonds; however, if you do try it on your pet, make sure you don’t give too much at once, so they don’t get sick from eating too much nut butter, etc.

When to take your cat to the vet

If the cat ate almonds, it could have several health problems. The first thing to do is to remain calm and keep the situation under control, keeping an eye on the health of the animal.

As mentioned, the consumption of a single almond should not cause any problem for the cat, since it is not toxic to its body. Therefore, it is possible that the animal does not feel any discomfort. The situation is different in the hypothesis in which the cat shows signs of discomfort.

In this case, it is good not to take personal initiatives without adequate medical skills; so it will be necessary to take the cat to your trusted veterinarian. It is very important to provide the professional with all the information that can expedite the diagnosis.

The punctuality of the medical intervention is always fundamental for the recovery of the cat, for this reason, it is good to notice, not forget, the symptoms that can be found in the animal. If the cat has been vomiting, it can be helpful to collect a sample of the substance rejected by the cat so that the vet can analyze it.

This little trick will be especially useful to understand what food has hurt the cat, especially if you have not had the opportunity to see what it ate. In any case, remember that prevention is always better than cure.

If you are fond of almonds, but have a cat at home, it is always better to put the nuts in a place that is not accessible to your four-legged friend.

How about almond milk?

In general, your cat can drink almond milk. However, this should be served in moderation. Now you might be wondering how the heck almond milk got the green light while almond nuts were in a gray area.

Well, for starters, this milk is dairy-free. This means there is no lactose that most cats seem to be allergic to. Additionally, almond milk does not contain any ingredients that have been labeled as toxic to cats. Last but not least, cats love the smell. This is definitely a treat your cat will love.

Remember, almond milk should be consumed in moderation. If you introduce your cat to it, be sure to monitor its reaction.

Remember that all the data presented here is just a compilation of information from the internet, be careful when using it. Always consult an expert before making a decision about the health of your pets.

What happens if a cat eats almonds?

Almonds are a healthy snack for you and your cat but should be eaten in moderation. If your cat eats too many almonds, it can cause digestive problems. Excessive consumption can lead to indigestion or vomiting. Cats should not eat more than 2 ounces (60 grams) of almonds per day as a snack or treat.

Conclusion:

So, if you have a cat and you care about her health, you can not give her almonds. It’s not that it’s bad for your cat – it can be pretty good for her – but just giving almonds isn’t the best. If you want to use this type of nut as a treat for your cat, make sure it is unsalted and cut into smaller pieces!