Can Cats Eat Butter?

Did you know that the average American eats around 6.5 pounds of butter per year?¹ Now with 46.5 million households having a cat,² you may be thinking that the cats also must have crawled onto the butter-loving wave. Well, if your cat has, you need to stop it because butter, although not toxic, can be really harmful to cats. 

We know that butter is mostly fat. But surprisingly, butter is also rich in vitamins like A, D, E, B12 and K2.³ This doesn’t mean you should rely on butter for these nutrients though as you would need a lot of butter to match your daily vitamin needs.

When it comes to cats, a small amount of plain butter shouldn't harm them. But it is important to know that butter is a dairy product, and most cats are lactose intolerant. So, the real question is - 

Is Butter Good for Cats?

The answer is no. Despite all the vitamins, the high fat content in butter can cause problems in a cat’s intestinal tract. It can cause the pancreas to become inflamed which can lead to gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining of the intestines) and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), a potentially life-threatening condition.

Early signs may include vomiting and diarrhea, but when butter is consumed in large amounts or on a regular basis, it can lead to serious health problems in cats. In addition to digestive upset, it may cause abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Over time, the high fat content can increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.⁴

Do Cats Like Butter?

There is a very high chance that your cat will love butter. This is because cats typically like foods that are high in fat, which dairy products mostly are. Butter is like a triple treat for cats – creamy, fatty and salty, everything that cats love. 

What Happens If A Cat Eats Butter?

There are 2 main possibilities here – 

In the first case, if your cat only managed a few licks, there’s no need to panic. Mild symptoms like a bit of vomiting or loose stool may appear, but they typically clear up within a day on their own.

In the second scenario, if your meeting ran long and your cat had more time to indulge, things could get trickier. Try to estimate how much butter was left out to gauge how much your cat might have eaten. If symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea persist for more than a day, or if you notice signs like bloating, gas, restlessness, or your cat avoiding being picked up, it’s best to call your vet or take your cat in right away.⁴

Can Cats Eat Bread and Butter?

We’ve already established that butter is not good for your cat. Bread is the same. It may not kill your cat but will definitely not provide any nutritional benefit and may even cause gastrointestinal problems in your cat. 

It is always better to go for cat-safe snacks and keep the bread and butter for yourself.

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Having a cat in the house is a beautiful experience. But there may be times when your feline ends up feasting on things they're not supposed to or you unknowingly feed them foods that cause digestive upset. In case you’re wondering what other foods can be a potential harm to your cat, here are some -

For the times when you have to take your cat to the vet unexpectedly, you can get reimbursed up to 90% of the eligible costs with pet health insurance. 

Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services. 

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