A Trader Joe’s store just opened in town, and it’s kind of a big deal. Everyone from other parts of the country was advising what foods to buy there, and one of the ones we had recommended was their almond butter. So the head peep braved the parking lot, which was more chaotic than the Disney World parking lots this time of year, to buy some almond butter (and other stuff, too), and she was excited to try it on some toast. Of course, if any peeps are eating something, Ashton has to try it, too.
And she did, stealing a big bite of toast with almond butter on it when the head peep was reading something on the computer.
The problem is that almonds can be toxic for cats. The ASPCA advises against feeding almonds because of their high fat quantities, which can potentially produce pancreatitis, as well as general gastrointestinal upset and vomiting.
More alarming is that bitter almonds (which are not generally available in the US) contain cyanogenic glycosides. These naturally-occurring plant compounds can break down in pets’ stomachs and release hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic to both animals and humans.
So for her own safety, Ashton isn’t going to be getting any more almond butter, and it’s only going to be eaten under supervision. No distracted eating when almonds are involved!
Almonds in Bowl image courtesy I_Nneska on Flickr creative commons
References
Cyanide, University of Sydney Centre for Veterinary Education
Almonds, ASPCA Poison Control Center
thank you for letting us know. we are not very much interested in human food, but a little lick of the ice cream bowl would be a source of fight around here.
Fortunately, nokitty here is interested in almonds. Which is a good thing, considering that my human loves them!
I’d no idea about this. I’ve only tried almond butter once and it was very oily and greasy and I suspect the product had oiled. I do eat almond foods and occasionally almond milk so this is a good thing to know.
The mom loves almonds. We didn’t know they were toxic to us kitties. Though we don’t show much interest in them when the mom is eating them. So that’s good.
We didn’t know almonds were toxic to cats although we don’t eat human food (apart from Hannah and her chicken)!
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
I didn’t know that nor did mommy. Thank you. You never knw what we kitties can and will get into!
we didn’t know they was toxic…though mom doesn’t like them so no real risk here 🙂
We had no idea! It’s a good thing my mom is nuts enough without adding more, so we’re safe from that!
It’s always a good reminder to basically not feed human food to cats.
We didn’t know almonds were toxic to kitties. Thankfully none of us are into nuts. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m not into nuts, myself. I LIVE with a few but I NEVER eat ’em.
Purrs,
Nissy #Niss4Senate
We did not know that, but we did know our peeps like Trader Joe’s too!
We are lucky too, that none of us get almonds. The Person doesn’t like them much so they are never around here. But good information. Have a great afternoon.
TW LOVES Justin’s almond butter so much I’ve blogged about it too. I don’t get any of it. She growls if I get too close cos she doesn’t share well. How did your humans like the almond butter? I’m glad Ashton is OK.
good info! we have two things going for us: 1. we don’t like a’monds even if our mom does, and b. our mom doesn’t like a’mond butter so we proly won’t see that around here 🙂
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Huh. Well, ya learn sumfing every day. The Human says she guesses it’s good I have never shown the least interest in Human foods!
I did not know that…thanks so much for the info! By the way, we just got a Trader Joe’s this spring too!!! Haven’t tried the almond butter yet 🙂
First, TJ’s is a definite ‘go-to’ market for our home for sure. It is part of CA culture. Thanks for heads up and ears up on almonds and felones
I, myself, just tried some almond butter. I thought it was great! I just had a couple licks but it was quite sweet and delicious. I think I’ll be all right but maybe I won’t be able to try it again as my human doesn’t like implications in this article
I, myself, just tried some almond butter. I thought it was great! I just had a couple licks but it was quite sweet and delicious. I think I’ll be all right but maybe I won’t be able to try it again as my human doesn’t like implications in this article…