Food safety

Can Cats Eat Cashews?

Safe in small amounts — Cashews for cats.

Safe in small amounts

Why: Plain unsalted cashews are not toxic to cats the way macadamia nuts are, but they are very high in fat and calories. A single cashew is harmless for most cats; regular nuts can cause stomach upset and weight gain.

Safe serving: One plain unsalted cashew, rarely. Never feed salted, flavoured or chocolate-coated nuts.

If your cat ate cashews: No action needed for one or two plain cashews. For a large amount, watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related: Macadamia Nuts, Sesame Seeds, Sesame Oil

Why this verdict

Plain unsalted cashews are not toxic to cats the way macadamia nuts are, but they are very high in fat and calories. A single cashew is harmless for most cats; regular nuts can cause stomach upset and weight gain.

Safe serving

One plain unsalted cashew, rarely. Never feed salted, flavoured or chocolate-coated nuts.

If your cat ate cashews

No action needed for one or two plain cashews. For a large amount, watch for vomiting or diarrhoea.

Related foods

Macadamia Nuts, Sesame Seeds, Sesame Oil

Check another food

Back to the Food-Safety Checker to check all 90 foods, or see the beginner feeding guide and the feeding estimator.

Before you use the result

Use the result as a starting point for observation and planning. Cats vary by age, body condition, temperament, medical history, and household setup.

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, and the Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat. Chocolate toxicity figures are approximate values from the Merck Veterinary Manual. If your cat ate something on the toxic list, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.