Dairy & eggs
Can cats eat butter?
A tiny lick isn’t dangerous, but butter is high in fat and not a good treat for cats.
Why Fat
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If a whole block or tub was eaten, or your pet has had pancreatitis before, call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Greasy stools
- Hunched posture, belly pain and lethargy (pancreatitis)
How much, how often
None on purpose.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Keep butter dishes off low tables
- Don’t use butter to hide tablets every day
- Check buttery baked goods for raisins, chocolate or xylitol
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
A lick of butter won’t harm a dog, but it is almost pure fat. A dog that eats a whole block may get a bad stomach upset or pancreatitis.
How much: None on purpose.
Can dogs eat butter?Cats In moderation
A tiny lick isn’t dangerous, but butter is high in fat and not a good treat for cats.
How much: None on purpose.
The details
Butter isn’t toxic, and dogs who steal a stick usually end up with nothing worse than an unpleasant day. The risk is pancreatitis, which is more likely in breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, in overweight dogs, and in dogs who have had it before.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat butter?
A tiny lick isn’t dangerous, but butter is high in fat and not a good treat for cats.
How much butter can a cat have?
None on purpose.
What makes butter risky for cats?
Fat.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting and diarrhoea, greasy stools, hunched posture, belly pain and lethargy (pancreatitis).
What should I do if my cat ate butter?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If a whole block or tub was eaten, or your pet has had pancreatitis before, call your vet.
Is butter safe for dogs too?
A lick of butter won’t harm a dog, but it is almost pure fat. A dog that eats a whole block may get a bad stomach upset or pancreatitis.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for cats
Cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Yogurt
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Cottage cheese
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Milk
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation