Can Cats Eat Almonds?

No, cats shouldn’t have almonds—even plain ones. They’re hard to chew, high in fat, and don’t offer anything your cat can’t get more appropriately from balanced cat food or a cat treat that’s formulated just for them. 

If you want to give your kitty a crunchy treat, try one of these cat-safe options instead of almonds: 

Between their hard texture, high fat content, and the ingredients often added for flavor, almonds can create several problems for curious kitties. 

Here are the biggest concerns:  

• Too much fat: Almonds are high in fat, which can be hard for cats to digest. Too many can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach, and they’re an especially poor choice for cats with pancreatitis. 
• Salt and seasonings: Salted, smoked, or flavored almonds have extra sodium and seasonings that cats don’t need. And in excess amounts, salt can contribute to dehydration. 
• Add-ins: Some almonds are covered in chocolate, honey, or seasonings that can be toxic to cats or make stomach upset more likely.  
• Hard texture: Almonds are tough and crunchy, which can make them difficult for cats to chew properly. In some cases, they can become a choking hazard or cause a blockage if swallowed whole. 

Plain almonds aren’t toxic, so it’s not a major concern if your cat eats a small amount. However, it’s still a good idea to watch for signs of stomach upset, like:  

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Low appetite 
• Lethargy 
• Belly discomfort 

Call your veterinarian if these symptoms are severe or if: 

• They last more than 24 hours. 

• The almonds were salted, seasoned, chocolate-covered, or part of a trail mix that contains toxic ingredients, like raisins. 

• Your cat ate a large amount of almonds. 

If the almonds contained chocolate or another toxic add-in and you can’t reach your veterinarian right away, you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661). They’ll help you determine if it’s an emergency or if you can continue to monitor your cat at home. 

The best way to stop your cat from eating almonds is to keep nuts and snack mixes completely out of reach. 

Follow these tips to keep your cat from sneaking some almonds: 

• Store nuts in sealed containers rather than open bowls or bags. 
• Don’t leave trail mix, mixed nuts, or snack bowls unattended where curious paws can reach them. 
• Pick up dropped nuts quickly. 
• Keep any snack-containing purses, lunch bags, and backpacks zipped close. 
• Offer a cat treat instead if your cat wants to join snack time. That way they can feel included without eating something that isn’t good for them. 

Are almonds safe for cats? 

No, almonds aren’t safe for cats. They’re too fatty and hard to digest, so eating them can cause stomach upset.  

Can cats eat plain almonds? 

No, cats shouldn’t eat plain almonds. Plain almonds aren’t toxic, but they’re still not a great choice for cats, and they don’t do anything for them nutritionally anyway. 

Can cats eat nuts? 

In general, cats shouldn’t eat nuts. Most nuts are too high in fat and calories, and some harder varieties, like almonds, can be a choking hazard since they’re difficult to chew. 

Can kittens eat almonds? 

Kittens should skip almonds entirely. Kittens need balanced nutrition to support their growing bodies, so all their calories should come from a complete kitten food until they’re at least a year old.