Can Cats Eat Cashews or are they Toxic/Poisonous to them?

As you probably already guessed, I’m obsessed with writing and talking about what foods animals can and can’t eat. So it was only a matter of time that I was going to cover whether or not cats can eat Cashews.

Short Answer

Cashew nuts can be fed to your cat sparingly, but should not be fed as a regular treat. (The build of a Cashew Nut is: 44% fat, 30% carbohydrate, 18% protein)

Allergies & Cashews

Although fairly rare, cats can actually be allergic to cashews. Similar to most other food allergies, they will manifest with rashes, swelling, breathing problems or gastrointestinal problems. If you want to give your cat cashews every so often as a treat (which is fully acceptable) make sure you’re only giving your kitty one nut and then think about increasing the amount. Personally, I would only give my cat one cashew every few weeks if not once a month. There are plenty of other alternatives I’d rather give my kitties that have better nutritional values or supplements. Some of these being their favourite Greenies Treats or Caru’s.

Can My Cat Choke on Cashews?

Absolutely, but your cat can also choke on a number of other foods. Cashews are about the same risk as feeding kibble to your pet, but it also depends on the size of the cashew. If this is a worry for you, I would break the cashew in half or even quarters.

I Left My Cashews Out and My Cat Ate A Bunch of them, what do I do?

Monitor your cat. Most cats won’t eat enough cashews at a time to induce toxicity, however, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned. Due to the high amount of fat and protein inside of cashews your cat may experience an unpleasant battle with the runs. This being the case, make sure your cat gets enough water and fluids in their body to rehydrate them. The overconsumption of cashews may also cause your cat to vomit. If your cat shows any signs of wanting to throw up, make sure to take them to the vet. This is usually the first sign of toxicity.

What are the risks of longterm feeding Cashews?

Feeding your cat cashews longterm may actually cause the cat to develop pancreatitis. Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to swell and needs immediate treatment. If your cat is experiencing fevers, lethargy, or a loss of appetite there is a good chance they have developed pancreatitis. There is no “at home” solution for this disease and I strongly recommend speaking to your vet about measures that you can take immediately.

Can Cats Drink Cashew Milk?

Similar to most other milk the answer is… in very small quantities. Even though Cashew milk has absolutely no lactose, it still has too much fat in it and may become a problem long term. If you’re looking for a milk alternative, I strongly recommend trying one of the following: WHISKAS CATMILK PLUS Drink for Cats and Kittens, Cat Sip Real Milk Treat for Cats and Kittens, KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer, PetLac Milk Powder for Kittens, and PetAg Catsure Powder.

If you do choose to allow your cat to drink cashew milk, I highly recommend giving them a very small quantity the first time. Just like the nut, cats may be allergic to the milk. Cats’ stomachs are also sensitive and need to be given time to break down foreign foods and proteins. (You may have experienced this when changing your cat’s diet in the past).

So pet parents, are your cats interested in cashews? Do I have any readers whos cats can’t give up the delicious nut? Have you found a healthy amount of cashews to give them as treats? Let me know in the comments below!

Other foods you might be curious if cats can or can’t eat: