Your cat probably wouldn’t appreciate a slice of buttered toast for breakfast. But if you give him a little dab of butter before you put it back in the fridge, he’ll be a happy cat. Can cats eat butter? Yes, they can, in moderation, of course.
Butter is not toxic to cats, and it won’t make your cat sick unless he eats too much. Then, it could cause stomach upset. Why do most cats love butter? It’s the fat, not the creamy dairy taste they like so much.
Many of them like plant-based margarine, too. But it has no nutritional value for them.
When thinking about whether cats can eat butter, think about your cat. If he’s overweight or has a sensitive stomach, a couple of bites of cooked chicken, freeze-dried chicken treats, or bonito flakes would be better treats for him.
How Butter Can Help Cats
Butter is high in essential fatty acids, and the fat is easy for cats to digest.
The best cure and prevention for hairballs is regular brushing. But butter can help the hair your cat ingests to move through the digestive tract.
Add a teaspoon of melted butter to his wet food once a week or split the teaspoon into several servings and let him lick a little bit off a spoon or your finger a few times a week.
What’s Not So Good About Butter for Cats
Many adult cats are lactose intolerant. They don’t have the enzymes they need to break down the lactose (sugar) in milk.
While butter has much less lactose than milk, it can still cause major stomach upset in some cats. Stop the butter or cut way back if your cat develops diarrhea, vomits, or seems nauseous. Lactose intolerance can also cause stomach pain and bloating.
Other People Foods Cats Can Eat
There are many foods our cats can share with us. Just feed them all in moderation, and don’t let any of them become his complete diet.
- Raw Chicken, Turkey, or Beef: Cats’ teeth are designed to tear meat, not break up pieces of dry food. Chunks of raw meat let cats eat the way they’re designed to eat, and the abrasion of eating it cleans their teeth. If you decide to make your own raw food as a daily diet for your cat, look online for a recipe so you include all the nutrients he needs.
- Cooked Fish: Just make sure all the bones are gone. And if your recipe contains onions or onion powder, set aside the cat’s portion before adding the onion to yours. Onions are toxic to cats.
- Cheese: Most cats love cheese, and like butter, a little bit won’t hurt them. It’s a great way to hide pills. Make it into little cheese balls with a pill inside.
- Yogurt and Vanilla Ice Cream. Again, a little bit won’t harm your cat. But don’t give him ice cream with chocolate or coffee in it. Both are toxic to cats.
- Eggs: Scramble them in butter!
- Fruits and Veggies: Most cats don’t like either. But if your cat will eat them, they have a lot of fiber and moisture to help with hydration. Just remove the pits and seeds before you give them to your cat.
Foods Cats Shouldn’t Eat
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Both are highly toxic to cats.
- Alcohol: No, don’t share happy hour with your cat! Just a tiny bit of alcohol can damage his kidneys and liver. Alcohol can slow down a cat’s nervous system, causing difficulty breathing and decreasing the heart rate. It can cause coma and death.
- Onions: Onions can cause Heinz Body Cell Anemia, which destroys the red blood cells. Even a tiny bit of onion powder can cause problems. If you want to share your food with your cat, set aside his portion before seasoning it. And always check the ingredients in processed food before giving it to your cat.
- Raisins and grapes: Both can cause sudden kidney failure.
- Yeast dough: The dough could rise in your cat’s warm stomach, causing intestinal obstruction.
- Cooked chicken bones: Your cat would probably enjoy gnawing on a chicken bone, but the bone could splinter and become a choking hazard.
Food for Cats: Did You Know?
Felines are not actually picky eaters as one might think. Therefore, we have looked at several different foods and tell you if it’s safe for your cat to eat or not. Like this one: Can Cats Eat Pepperoni?
Can Cats Eat Butter? Everything in Moderation
Can cats eat butter? Yes, they can eat butter and other human foods, too. Just don’t overdo it. Human food is safer for cats when fed in moderation.
