My Kitten Ate Butter Will He Get Sick?

Do you enjoy butter on a bagel in the morning? Or perhaps on a fresh piece of toast? Butter’s a wonderful, healthy food for us, in moderation. But what happens if a kitten eats butter?

Has your kitten eaten some butter? Are you worried the butter will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! We understand it can be scary when your fur baby eats something he shouldn’t.

In this article, we’ll take a look at butter and whether or not it can make your kitten sick. Let’s get started!

What is Butter?

Butter is a dairy product made from churned cream. It’s made from the fat and protein in cream; when these substances come together at room temperature, they become semi-solid. At this point, the substances have become butter, which is spreadable, can be used to bake, and more!

While most of us can enjoy butter, what about kittens? Can butter make a kitten sick?

Butter & Kittens

The good news is that butter is not toxic to kittens! Having said that, we must also say that butter’s not exactly healthy for kittens, either. If your kitten has eaten a little butter, chances are he will be just fine.

However, kittens that have eaten a large amount of butter may experience some digestive problems. It is not only the high amount of fat found in butter. It’s also because some felines are lactose intolerant.

Some, but not all, cats are lactose intolerant. This means they lack an enzyme that’s able to digest milk properly. Without that enzyme, a cat/kitten may develop some digestive issues. However, they’re not allergic to the butter, which is quite another kettle of fish! The good news is that butter contains very little lactose, but it can still cause a kitten to have an upset stomach.

Felines love anything that has a lot of fat in it, which is why a kitten may try to eat butter. Or the kitten may try butter because they see you eating it. Finally, a kitten may try butter because they’re just curious!

Symptoms of Butter Ingestion in Kittens

You may notice these symptoms if your kitten’s eaten butter:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach

If your kitten has diarrhea and vomiting that lasts longer than about 6 hours, then it’s time to call the vet.  The kitten may need some medication to slow the diarrhea and vomiting. He may also require an IV with fluids to treat dehydration, which can result from repetitive vomiting and diarrhea.

The good news is that your kitten will be just fine! He will be back to his normal, cute, playful self in no time!