Can Cats Eat Cashews?

It is common for any cat owner to wonder whether they can eat certain human foods. Cashews, for instance, are perfect snacks, and we humans love to enjoy them now and then. There are moments when a cat may seem interested too, which makes you wonder, Can cats eat cashews?

Yes, cats can eat cashews, however, with moderation and proper care. Read more to learn how many cashews a cat should eat and the adverse effects of excessive feeding of cashews to your cat.

Things to consider when feeding cashews to your cat

• Cashews are made up of a combination of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. All these may lead to excessive weight gain, leading to obesity issues.
• Excess cashews might lead to Pancreatitis, another medical issue that might affect the cat’s pancreas by enlarging it. This is a long term medical situation that may cause a lot of pain to your cat. Signs and symptoms include Fever, Lethargy, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
• Cashews are not meant for regular consumption by cats. As much as they are not toxic to them, it doesn’t mean they are fit to be their everyday meal. Felines are obligate carnivores, and therefore their regular diet should contain lean meats.

Sodium levels

• Before you decide to feed your cat cashews, remember they contain high sodium levels. Cashews are naturally salty; you do not even need to add salt hence the high sodium levels.
  Cats should consume minimal sodium since their bodies are too tiny to handle or process massive amounts.
• High amounts of sodium in your cat’s meals can cause dehydration. And therefore ensure always to give your cat a drink of water each time you give them one or two cashews as a treat.
• Too much sodium can also lead to serious medical issues like a heart attack. The sodium can also attack your cat’s bones, making them weak and easily breakable.

Observe your cat

• Do not always walk away each time you give cashews to your cat. Stay and ensure they have eaten their treats and swallowed utterly. Cashews can be a choking hazard. Due to the nature of cashews, they might be hard to chew.
  
  Your feline friend also has teeth that are only designed to tear into meat hence deciding to take the easy way out by swallowing the whole thing without chewing, which will lead to choking. You may also choose to break the cashews into tiny pieces so that when your cat eats them, they will not get stuck in their throats.
• To avoid choking, you may decide to give your cat cashew milk instead. However, cashew milk is also too high in fat concentration. Therefore, providing it to your cat sparing is favorable unless you want an overweight cat in a few months.

Allergies when feeding cats cashews

• Cashews can also trigger allergies in some cats, just like other human beings who are also allergic to nuts. Therefore, it is advisable to check with your vet before giving cashews to your cat.
  
  However, rush your cat to the nearest vet if you provide cashews for a cat and see signs like loss in appetite, swelling, and breathing difficulty.
  
  Do not feel disappointed; other treats can be given to your feline friend with similar benefits, and your pet will still have the time of their lives.
• If you have a kitten, it is advisable not to rush into feeding cashews to them. If an older cat can have a tough time chewing on cashews which might lead to choking, what of a kitten that rarely has teeth to handle these tough to chew treats. Instead, you may decide to give them cashew milk.
  
  However, the cashew milk should be given sparingly not to interfere with the expected growth of the kitten.

Summary – Cat Cats Eat Cashews?

In conclusion, cashews are not necessary for your cat. However, they can be used as a treat once in a while. They should not be used regularly like regular meals due to the high amount of fats, carbohydrates and sodium that may cause severe damage to your pet.

Cashew can also cause your pet to choke. Therefore, it is advisable to break them into pieces or opt for cashew milk.

When feeding cashew milk to your kitten, ensure you do it in small potions since the little kitten’s digestive system is yet to get used to digesting such high amounts of fats. The fats may also cause stomach upset issues for your kitty leading to diarrhea and vomiting.

However, the most important thing to consider of them all is to talk to your vet and find out if your cat will experience an allergy problem when given cashews as a treat.