Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
While it’s commonplace to hear about dogs suffering from the effects of chocolate, chocolate is
also a significant health risk for cats, and some even die when too much chocolate is consumed.
Why Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
While sugar, fat, and sugar substitute xylitol (a substitution for sugar) isn’t suitable for cats either,
cacao has two components that can harm the health of animals: caffeine and theobromine—an
alkaloid found in plants that is present naturally in cacao. Theobromine is a known toxin that
affects most animals, including cats, as demonstrated in the study by Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Frontiers in Pharmacology.
The Latin term for the cacao tree The Latin name for the cocoa plant is theobroma cacao, which
translates to “food for the gods,” and roasted beans can be a tasty snack. However, what makes
chocolate so appealing to humans is precisely why it’s so dangerous for pets.
Why Are These Ingredients so Dangerous for Animals?
The two major causes of this, caffeine and theobromine, both are stimulants. Caffeine is a
component of many beverages and foods, including chocolate. It can be poisonous when
absorbed by your cat’s body and causes “vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, restlessness, and
an increased heart rate,” according to Banfield Pet Hospital. Theobromine can cause similar
symptoms when consumed.
How Much Is Chocolate Too Much?
Every bit of chocolate is not enough for your feline. Every type of chocolate is harmful to your
cat, including dry cocoa powder and baking chocolate (most dangerous due to its high levels of
theobromine), semi-sweet, dark, and milk chocolate. There is also white chocolate with a low
amount of cocoa.
The degree of toxicity varies based on the amount of food they consume and the type. If a cat
weighs ten pounds, Petful notes that Petful that one square of baking chocolate unsweetened
could do as much damage to your cat as wrapping twenty-three in milk chocolate. Avoid letting
your cat eat small portions of chocolate, as any amount of chocolate can cause illnesses.
Help — My Cat Ate Chocolate! What Symptoms Should I
Watch For?
Similar to every medical issue, you must immediately take your cat to the vet or emergency
room for animals to assess the severity of the poisoning and receive treatment. Following
treatment, you must keep an eye on your cat for other signs of illness to ensure that the poison
is eliminated from her system. There are a few adverse effects associated with chocolate
poisoning are mentioned in the above paragraph, but there may be a variety of symptoms that
range from mild to profound:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Heart rate increase
- A lot of thirsts
- Excessive urination
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
- A rise in body temperature
- Panting or rapid breathing
- The muscles tremor or flicker
- Low blood pressure
- Seizures
- Coma
Like you would in every medical issue, take your cat to the vet or emergency room for animals to
assess the severity of the poisoning and receive treatment. Following treatment, you must
observe your cat for adverse effects to ensure it’s completely gone from her system.
What Happens Next?
Keep as calm as possible since cats are in tune with their pet’s emotions. Make sure to keep
them steady, relaxed, and in a peaceful space to stop the signs caused by chocolate-related
poisonings from becoming more severe.
When you arrive at the clinic, The vet will inspect your cat’s health and evaluate the amount and
kind of chocolate that your cat has consumed. The vet might decide to induce vomiting to stop
your cat from absorbing the poisons and will offer fluids and other treatment based upon the
quantity of food consumed and the symptoms your cat may be suffering from.
How Can I Prevent This from happening?
Ingestion of chocolate is 100% safe to avoid by keeping it away from paws’ reach. The cats can
be curious, unpredictable animals and enjoy snooping in the kitchen, so put the chocolate in a
sealed container. Consider all the items that could contain chocolate, such as donuts, brownies,
candy, etc. It’s not just chocolate bars that could cause vomiting in cats. This is especially true
for celebrations such as Halloween. If you’re hosting, put chocolate dishes in areas challenging
for the cat to reach. Then, put them away securely following the event. If your guest asks, “can
cats eat chocolate? ” Now you’re prepared to reply with a firm “no.”
Treatment of Chocolate Toxicity in Cats
Should your cat be at risk of chocolate poisoning, your vet may cause vomiting or advise you to
take it home before bringing it in for an exam. 4 One or two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide
frequently causes a cat to vomit the contents of its stomach. Therefore, if your cat recently
consumed chocolate, this may aid in getting rid of the chocolate and any wrappers that might
have been destroyed. Finding a cat who can take hydrogen peroxide can be a challenge,
particularly if you do not have a syringe available at home. It is advised to take your cat to the
animal hospital as quickly as possible.
The cat will require fluid therapy to remain hydrated if you visit the vet’s office. In addition, urine
or blood tests could be conducted. 4 An ECG can also be performed to check for irregular
heartbeats. The signs can be treated as required, and a bland diet is generally advised for the
following few days. If treatment isn’t received immediately after chocolate consumption, death
may be possible if enough theobromine is consumed.
Chocolate alternatives for cat owners
The answer to the question “can cat consume chocolate” is no, and even if your cat does
develop a chocolate craving, avoid giving in to the desire to indulge them with this food item that
humans eat. Instead, look for specially formulated and safe for felines to feed them. Chocolate
for cats is not an ideal choice!
There are plenty of feline treats offered that do not just satisfy your pet’s palate and smell but
also provide a variety of health advantages. Choose treats for your cat that is not just tasty but
also have extra nutrients to help your cat’s diet and assist with dental health. Don’t forget that
treating your cat doesn’t have to be just about food. Offering them attention, time and affection
can be equally rewarding as a chocolaty treat for their eye!
