By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
The free peanuts at Five Guys are part of the experience, and a few often come home in a bag or a pocket. If your cat has nosed into them, there is usually no need to panic. Peanuts are not poisonous to cats. The concerns are the salt, the fat, the shells, and the fact that a peanut is an awkward shape for a cat to swallow.
Key takeaways
- Peanuts are not considered toxic to cats, but they offer nothing a cat needs.
- Five Guys Australia says it currently offers only salted peanuts.
- The RSPCA lists nuts, fatty foods and salt among foods that can harm cats.
- The ASPCA notes that nuts are high in oils and fats and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and potentially pancreatitis.
- Large amounts of salt can cause poisoning. Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhoea, stumbling, tremors and seizures among the signs.
- Peanut shells are not digestible and can cause choking or a gut blockage.
- If your cat ate a lot of peanuts or shells and is vomiting or unwell, call your vet.
What is in Five Guys peanuts?
Five Guys Australia's FAQ states that only salted peanuts are currently offered and that there are no plans to bring back unsalted ones. Its fries are cooked in 100 percent refined peanut oil, and the FAQ says fries are the only menu item cooked in peanut oil. That matters if your cat also helped itself to the fries, which are salty and oily too.
Why peanuts are not a good cat treat
Fat
Peanuts are rich in oil. The ASPCA notes that nuts are high in oils and fats and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and potentially pancreatitis in pets. Cornell Feline Health Center notes that in most cats a cause of pancreatitis is never found, so a single peanut is not the main worry. Still, rich, fatty foods are best avoided, especially in cats with a sensitive stomach. See pancreatitis in cats.
Salt
A couple of salted peanuts will not give a cat salt poisoning, but a cat that eats many salted nuts and then has limited water is at more risk. Pet Poison Helpline lists gastrointestinal upset and neurological signs such as stumbling, disorientation, tremors, seizures and collapse with salt overdose.
Shells and choking
Peanut shells are fibrous and indigestible. A cat that chews shells may vomit them back up, but pieces can also lodge in the throat or gut. VCA Animal Hospitals lists vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and reduced appetite among signs of a swallowed foreign body. A whole peanut is also an awkward size for a small cat to swallow.
For more on peanuts in general, see can cats eat peanuts.
Signs to watch for
After one or two peanuts, most cats show nothing. After larger amounts, or shells, watch for:
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- reduced appetite or tummy pain
- gagging, retching or pawing at the mouth
- excessive thirst
- wobbliness, tremors or seizures
When it is an emergency
Call your vet or an emergency clinic straight away if your cat:
- is choking, gagging or struggling to breathe
- vomits repeatedly or cannot keep water down
- seems wobbly, confused or has tremors or seizures
- seems painful, hunched or lethargic
For poisoning advice, phone the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. Salt and hydrogen peroxide can cause serious harm.
How vets assess a cat that ate peanuts
Your vet will ask how many peanuts, whether shells were eaten, and when. They will check your cat's mouth and throat and feel the abdomen. If a blockage is suspected, X-rays or ultrasound may be used. If salt poisoning is possible, blood tests can check sodium levels. Treatment is decided by the examining vet.
Safer treats
- Small pieces of plain cooked chicken or fish.
- Commercial cat treats, kept within 10 to 15 percent of daily calories.
- Play or a puzzle feeder instead of food rewards.
Keep takeaway bags off the bench and dispose of peanut shells in a sealed bin.
FAQ
Are Five Guys peanuts toxic to cats?
No. Peanuts are not toxic, but the salt, fat and shells make them a poor choice.
My cat ate one Five Guys peanut. Should I worry?
Usually not. Watch for vomiting or diarrhoea and call your vet if your cat seems unwell.
Can cats eat peanut shells?
No. Shells are indigestible and can cause choking or blockages.
Can cats eat Five Guys fries?
Fries are salty and oily, and Five Guys cooks them in peanut oil. A single fry is unlikely to cause harm, but they are not a suitable treat.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got into your takeaway and you are not sure what to do, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide whether it needs to be seen. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Five Guys Australia. FAQs | Five Guys.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline Pancreatitis.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Ingestion of Foreign Bodies in Cats.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.