Butter

I've no idea where to put this so feel free to move as necessary!

So, I'm pet sitting for a woman who is French (I'm in the States) and she has me give her cat a pat of butter daily. I've never seen this here before and I've been a professional pet sitter for 10 years. Is giving cats butter a trend in other parts of the world and if so, is it typically considered a treat or is there a health benefit. I'm guessing it would be a good hairball remedy but any other thoughts? I will add that the cat is 19 and in excellent health for a cat of her age.

Originally Posted by howtoholdacat

I've no idea where to put this so feel free to move as necessary!

So, I'm pet sitting for a woman who is French (I'm in the States) and she has me give her cat a pat of butter daily. I've never seen this here before and I've been a professional pet sitter for 10 years. Is giving cats butter a trend in other parts of the world and if so, is it typically considered a treat or is there a health benefit. I'm guessing it would be a good hairball remedy but any other thoughts? I will add that the cat is 19 and in excellent health for a cat of her age.

Click to expand...

It is a great hairball solution, but I never heard of giving it everyday... If the cat is 19 and in excellent health.... something is working!!

Yeah, it's good for hairballs. Greases the works right up . It might also have some coat benefits, I don't know. Or it just might be a treat for that cat....some cats really like butter.

I was going to add that my cats, given the chance, will lick butter off my fingers. I never encouraged it considering the fat and cholesterol levels in butter.......but now, I won't feel so guilty. Certainly won't feed it to them....but if a few bits just 'happen' to fall to the floor.... ...I'll call them over to decide for themselves....LOL. I bet the salt-free kind would be the best...

Hi,

my older cat also gets butter quite regularly- obviously only a little bit.

For one it helps with hair balls but it is also great if an older cat is having problems with their stool (if the "product" tends to be a bit too hard). Other people will then occasionally give a little bit of lactose. By the way- this was the advice of my vet, though I don't actually give lactose and my cats "products" have been perfectly fine lately.

As my cat hasn't been constipated lately the butter is a treat for him.

regards,

Christine

p.s. The butter shouldn't be salted.

p.p.s. You asked if this was a "trend" - here in Germany its probably quite common to give a little butter now and then (and it is frequently recomended on cat forums) and as mentioned this was also the suggestion of my vet after he'd completed a generall examination of him and had felt that the cat's stool was a bit on the hard side.

I find it quite interesting to read about the differences in cat ownership and the way cats are held between the States and Germany.

I give Bijou butter and he likes it. I've always given my cats butter to help with hairballs. I'm not sure I would make it a daily dosage like the lady you are sitting for, but certainly once a week isn't too much IMO.

Cindy loves a bit of butter, and it does keep the hairballs at bay.

I've never tried giving mine butter, but she does like vegetable oil in her wet food. I often add it if it gets a bit dry.

Originally Posted by cjh27

I find it quite interesting to read about the differences in cat ownership and the way cats are held between the States and Germany.

Click to expand...

Me too and it's the real reason I asked. Just curious!

Yes, the cat's in great shape so something is working! I believe the butter is unsalted and is a high quality as the owner is quite conscientious of what the cats eat. She did say she gives it as a treat but I was also interested in possible benefits.

Hmmm.... unsalted high quality butter for hairballs... A couple of my fosters are doing that hairball ack-ack-ack thing. I am using Petromalt right now... Hmmmmm......

Hi! I occasionally give mine butter (unsalted) too. They like it and lick it right up from my fingers. I only do give them just a little bit.

I would give that Lady's cat the butter just as she has indicated, I wouldn't change a thing! Her cat is obviously used to it and not giving it the usual "dose" might not have a good effect, who knows

Just to share a quick and cute story. When our Jennifer was about 4 years old she woke and went downstairs before John and I woke. When we somehow woke and realized she was downstairs, we found her standing on a kitchen chair with the butter dish and she was eating a finger full for herself and then one for Ebony, our cat at the time. Between them they ate close to 1/2 pound of butter. Ebony was long-haired so it didn't do him any harm.

Originally Posted by Shanynne

Hi! I occasionally give mine butter (unsalted) too. They like it and lick it right up from my fingers. I only do give them just a little bit.

I would give that Lady's cat the butter just as she has indicated, I wouldn't change a thing! Her cat is obviously used to it and not giving it the usual "dose" might not have a good effect, who knows

Click to expand...

Well I can't change what I'm asked to do with a client's pet unless there is an emergency . In any case where I feel that harm is being done to animals I try to educate and if that doesn't work I can't do the sit and they'll have to find someone else. In this case, things seem to be working out great.

I did double check today and the butter is unsalted. I just cut off a small pat and put it in a little dish for her and she licks it up. The other cat doesn't seem to be interested in it. It's Land O'Lakes butter if anyone is really interested!