There is no doubt that pistachios are good for us humans. Because this nut is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and protein, pistachios make a very healthy snack. But what about cats? Are pistachios good for cats too? Is it safe for cats to eat pistachios?

Can cats eat pistachios?

The short answer is no, it’s best not to feed your cat pistachios. However, regular pistachios are not completely toxic to cats, so don’t be alarmed if your cat has eaten some. It's best if you don't give pistachios to your cat, though, because there are many risks associated with giving pistachios to cats.

Why are pistachios not suitable for cats to eat?

Pistachios are healthy for us humans, so you might think they would be good for cats too, but this is far from the truth. There are actually many reasons why cats should not be allowed to eat pistachios.

Pistachios may cause gastrointestinal upset in cats

One of the most likely things to happen if your cat eats pistachios is that it will suffer from gastrointestinal upset. This is because nuts like pistachios are difficult to digest and are likely to cause bloating and excess gas in cats. Even omnivores, whose ability to digest nuts is much better than carnivorous cats, can easily become bloated and produce bad gas after eating a few nuts. Because cats are small, eating just a few pistachios can be enough to cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so it’s best not to give your cat any pistachios.

Pistachios may cause foreign body obstruction in cats

Another risk of feeding your cat pistachios or other nuts is foreign body obstruction, which is often caused by ingestion of fruit seeds or nut shells. Simply put, a foreign body obstruction is when something gets stuck in the intestines. This is a potentially fatal disease that causes pain and discomfort. Many times surgery is required to remove the foreign body.

Pistachios may cause cats to eat too many spices

The pistachios we eat are usually heavily seasoned with salt, garlic or onions. While these seasonings are safe for us humans, they are not safe for our cats.

As you know, cats cannot tolerate large amounts of salt, so all salty foods should be off the menu for cats. Since both garlic and onions are poisonous to cats, they should not be given to cats.

Conclusion: Can cats eat pistachios?

Pistachios may be good for us humans, but they areCats are no good. If you're eating a bag of pistachios and your cat starts begging you to share them with her, don't do it! Instead, give your cat something that is actually good for her (like cat food).