Humans may benefit from pistachios being rich in nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber and good fats), but Can cats eat pistachios?
Today we will answer this question, keeping in mind that the digestive processes of felines are different from ours.
Can cats eat pistachios?
No, cats cannot eat pistachios. While not poisonous to our whiskered friends, these nuts contain substances and seasonings that are harmful to Kitty.
If you’re enjoying a bag of pistachios and your cat starts begging you to share them with him, don’t! Instead, give your pet something that is beneficial to him (for example, homemade cat treats) and not harmful.
There are some explanations as to why cats shouldn’t be allowed to consume pistachios. Here they are below.
Presence of shells
Pistachio and its shell can cause choking and intestinal blockage in pets, especially if they are small.
This is not only unpleasant for your pet but can also be fatal. If a foreign body, such as a nutshell or seed, becomes lodged in your cat’s intestines, emergency surgery may be needed to extract it.
High amount of salt
Pistachios are often seasoned with too much salt, but also garlic or onion, all foods not recommended for felines.
Too fat
Pistachios contain fats which, like all nuts, can cause Micio’s stomach upset in the long run.
If consumed daily, cats will experience gastrointestinal problems such as gas and bloating, as well as become overweight.
As you can see, the answer to the question of whether cats can eat pistachios is a resounding NO! While some types of nuts aren’t bad for your cat, pistachios are really harmful if consumed in excess.
Why are pistachios bad for cats?
The cat’s digestive system is designed for a diet carnivorouswhich is why you need to feed your cat with food (wet, dry or homemade) rich in animal proteins.
Here are the reasons why a cat cannot eat pistachios and the resulting consequences if taken in large quantities.
Gastrointestinal disorders
If your cat eats pistachios, one of the most possible outcomes is that he will suffer from gastrointestinal problems.
That’s because nuts difficult to digest like pistachios they are prone to causing bloating and unnecessary gas in cats.
Even omnivores, who are able to digest nuts much better than carnivorous cats, can become overweight and experience intestinal gas after consuming lots of nuts.
Foreign body obstruction
Pistachios pose a threat of suffocation and a risk of death for the subject. A foreign body obstruction occurs when something lodges in the intestines and can often only be resolved by surgery.
Risk of intoxication
When not properly stored (open package and out of the fridge), pistachios are known to harbor fungus Aspergillus. This fungus produces a toxin that can induce toxicosis aflatossina in your pet.
Contaminations and poisonings of this type are rare. Although the disease was limited to dogs, it is possible that eating pistachios contaminated with Aspergillus can make your cat sick too.
Aflatoxin toxicosis can cause the following symptoms:
If your cat eats pistachios and develops any of these symptoms, call the poison center and your vet right away!
Many fibers
Dietary fiber is abundant in pistachios. Indigestion and diarrhea can occur if your cat consumes too much fiber due to ingesting a lot of nuts.
Risk of allergies
Some cats, like humans, are allergic to tree nuts, including pistachios. If your feline friend appears to be having an allergic reaction, take him to the vet as soon as possible.
To recap, pistachios may be beneficial to humans, but they aren’t good for our beloved feline companions!