Can Cats Eat Cashew Nuts?

When it comes to raising a kitten or cat, meeting their nutritional needs is vital to their care. And if you have a cat at home, you know how much they love peeping into your share of food, and we know how much you might want to share it with them. Many cat parents think what’s healthy for them is healthy for their cats too, which unfortunately isn’t always true.

Cashews are a very popular, healthy snack option for us humans. They are delicious, bite-sized, and a great alternative for chips or something fried. But when it comes to our little furry friends, we may often wonder if they can eat cashews. Well, let’s find out.

Can I Give My Cat Cashews?

Yes, sort of! Cats can eat cashews, in moderation. If your cat has accidentally chewed some cashews, you shouldn’t worry too much; cashews are not considered toxic to their health.¹ But if you want to introduce cashews to their everyday meal or as a little snack, there are a few things you should know.

5 Things to Consider When Feeding Cashews to Cats

1. Cashews Are High in Fat

Although cashews aren’t necessarily problematic for your cat, it may not be a good idea to let them munch on cashews regularly.

Cats are carnivores in nature and need animal-based protein to maintain their health. This is why, our cats’ digestive system isn’t good at digesting nuts or plants. They end up storing them which can lead to them becoming overweight. Their digestive systems are better able to digest lean meats than fats, especially in high amounts, which is why it is best to feed them lean meat.

2. Risk Of Pancreatitis

Feeding cashews or other fatty foods regularly to your cats has been said to cause pancreatitis as it can enlarge your cat’s pancreas and can cause discomfort. Although research hasn't quite confirmed this, inflammation can occur in the cat's pancreas with no clear cause.² However, it's commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes. Here are some symptoms to look out for if your cat has been overindulgent with cashews.

The most common symptoms of pancreatitis are:

3. Cashews are Very High in Sodium

Naturally, cats aren’t supposed to eat anything high in sodium as their bodies are not good at processing it. Nuts even without salt to season are high in sodium levels.

Eating cashews or nuts high in sodium can dehydrate them.¹ This is why, even if you are feeding your cat some cashews, make sure they have water right beside them to quench their thirst. If they have consumed excess cashews, please visit a vet.

4. Your Cat Can be Allergic to Cashews

While it is not common, cashew nuts may cause your cat to have an allergic reaction.

Some signs of your kitty being allergic to cashews can include rashes, swelling, loss of appetite, or heavy breathing.

5. Cashews Are a Choking Hazard

Just like babies, cats are at a high risk when it comes to eating nuts. They do not have the teeth to properly bite on cashews and they could end up swallowing them instead. As a kitten's airway is smaller, it can easily cause a choking hazard.² Please see a vet if your cat is ever in a situation like this.

Tips On Feeding Cashews to Cats

Moderation is the key:

Whether or not it's your first time feeding your cat some cashews, it is always best to feed them anything in moderation. Feeding your cat the right amount of cashews (or avoiding them altogether) can help prevent any kind of discomfort to your cat’s health.

Only Feed Them Good-Quality Cashews

Every cat vet or nutritionist recommends you not add any seasoning to your cat's food. And that is also true for cashews. Always look for high-quality, unseasoned cashews if it's for your cats. Seasoned foods can have adverse effects on your cat’s health.

Opt For Bite-Size Cashews

If you are picking out cashews for your cat, make sure they are easy for them to bite. You can also crush the cashews to help make it easier for your cats to eat. Also, one thing to keep in mind is to separate the nut silk to avoid it sticking to their neck. And if you want to eliminate the extra steps, you can just powder the cashews in a grinder.

Is It Okay to Serve Cashew Milk to Cats?

A very common question asked by cat parents who are lactose intolerant is if their cat can have cashew milk as a substitute for cow milk. Almond, cashew, and soy milk may be good options for those who cannot consume cow milk, but you should always talk to your vet first.

These milks are made by soaking your desired nuts in water and grinding them to a paste. You can then add water to the paste to make it milky.

Unfortunately, these ingredients are not suitable for your cat which is why it is best to avoid letting your cat drink cashew milk and stick to cow's milk only. Cashew milk can contribute to obesity in cats due to the high fat content and could create discomfort in the long run.

Are Cashews Dangerous for Your Cat?

While there are plenty of reasons why cashews are unhealthy for your cat, they are not considered poisonous for your cat. This is why if they do sneak in some cashews from our share, you shouldn’t worry too much. However, please make sure you only treat them to unseasoned cashews as salted cashews may lead to adverse health effects.

Expert Insights From Spot

While sharing our favorite foods with our pets can be tempting, it's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for our felines. Spot's internal data shows that pet insurance claims for dietary indiscretions average $642*, highlighting the importance of caution and research before sharing snacks with your pet.

How Can Spot Pet Insurance Help?

At Spot Pet Insurance, we offer customizable accident and illness or accident-only plan options, providing pet parents with additional financial support to help cover the eligible costs of unecpected vet bills. With a Spot Cat insurance plan, you can choose the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit for your plan from a range of options, including an unlimited annual limit plan with no per-incident caps. Pet parents can get up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. Pet parents also receive access to a 24/7 Pet Telehealth helpline, so you can reach out to a veterinary expert any time you have a question about your pet’s health or behavior.

Conclusion:

Cashew nuts are incredibly delicious, but it's best to keep our cats away from them. Cashews contain a lot of fats making them unhealthy for their diet.

In conclusion, it is best to stick to lean meats and animal-based proteins instead of nuts. There are ample snack options available in the stores that your cat will love to munch on. But if you do want them to enjoy a few bites of cashews, always remember, moderation is the key and never feed them seasoned or salted food.