WASHINGTON — Federal employees aren’t the only ones getting slammed by the sequester — the budget spat is also taking a hit on President Obama’s approval ratings.

His favorable numbers slipped to 49 percent after his battle with Republicans over the budget cuts that took effect Friday, down from 53 percent just a week ago, a new Gallup poll found.

His approval dipped to 46 percent the day after the cuts kicked in, then ticked back up to 49 percent yesterday.

Spokesman Jay Carney dismissed the results as a single snapshot, saying Gallup concluded Obama suffered a “noticeable, yet brief” hit during the sequester fight.