How Bad Is Chocolate For Cats? A popular question on many cat forums and Facebook groups. If you’re a chocoholic the chances of sharing with your feline friend is quite high.
Cats can eat chocolate. But chocolate can pose a serious health problem to your feline friend and worst of all death if the cat eats too much.
If you’re that type of cat owner who enjoys sharing everything with your feline furball then never think about chocolate sharing.
We have compiled a list of information about cat and chocolate. Take your time to read through and know why chocolate is bad for your furry friend.
Is Chocolate Toxic to Cats?
Is chocolate poisonous to cats? Of course No. Chocolate has chemical ingredients such as theobromine.
The chemicals tend to be toxic to cats when they are found in high levels in their body system. This is why it is recommended to feed the cat with a small piece of chocolate.
Also, chocolate contains caffeine which is known to cause a serious health risk to the cats when it is consumed.
Therefore, we recommend you consult your vet about feeding cats with chocolates since their tiny body is highly susceptible to food poisoning.
How Bad Is Chocolate For Cats?
The answer is definitely no. chocolate is a human food and it contains ingredients that will never cause a health risk.
But for cats, the component ingredients for chocolate are not good at all. These chemicals tend to be toxic hence the reason why it is not advisable to feed the cat with chocolate.
Research shows that chocolate contains carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The protein’s presence is usually in low amounts hence not sufficient for the cats.
The presence of milk during the preparation of chocolate makes things even harder since the digestive system of cats is unable to break down the lactose.
Excessive accumulation of lactose and fats in the body of cats can result in diarrhea and other health-related complications.
We recommend you consult your vet before trying out these new cat treats in the market. This will help to ensure your feline friend is safe and free from food poisoning.
Is Chocolate Safe for Cats?
Chocolate is not safe for your feline friend due to its components. Caffeine and theobromine are the main components known to be toxic in cats’ body systems.
The two culprits can make your feline friend start vomiting, diarrhea, become dehydrated, and restlessness.
If you suspect that your furry friend has eaten a large bar of chocolate, call your vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Is Chocolate Bad for Cats?
Chocolate is bad for your cat. Try to keep the bars out of reach though many cats do not eat chocolate. Besides that, any milk drink made from chocolate can be dangerous to your cat.
The body system of the cat will be unable to digest various components of chocolate. Hence, it will result in a buildup of chemicals that can be toxic in the long run.
The rule of thumb remains that never should you feed your feline with any size of chocolate as a treat.
Is Chocolate Good for Cats?
Cats are curious creatures and they try to sniff or eat anything that looks edible in their sight. Sometimes the sweet begging looks can force the parent to feed them with a small piece.
In a real sense, chocolate is not good for your cats. Mostly, cats are supposed to feed on a meat-based diet so that they can easily meet their nutritional needs.
Chocolate is endowed with lots of nutrients that are regarded as ideal for human beings but they are not of any value to cats.
The poisoning issue of the chocolate makes them not ideal for cats. Consult your vet if you suspect the cat has eaten a bar of chocolate immediately.
Can Kittens Eat Chocolate?
Kittens are typically dependent on their mother’s milk. They still have an underdeveloped digestive system. Hence not advisable to feed them with solid food.
Besides that, the chemical components in chocolate are not suitable for kittens since this can cause death.
The small body size can easily accumulate toxic elements from chocolate which can later pose a serious health risk.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chocolate Poisoning?
Cats have poor tolerance towards the chemical ingredients of chocolate. This is the reason why it is lethal for felines.
Here are some of the common symptoms shown by a cat after eating a chocolate bar. These symptoms include:
- High fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Panting
- Heart attack
- Seizures
- Arrhythmia
- Death
How Much Chocolate Is Too Much For Cats?
You should note that any amount of chocolate given to your cat is quite dangerous regardless of the type.
Small cats tend to experience the noxious side effects of chocolate immediately after eating when compared to large-breed cats.
This happens because they have a short digestive system that is highly susceptible to buildup of toxic substances.
Also, all the types of chocolate whether they have a low amount of cocoa, never feed your cat with it. It is quite dangerous for your cat to eat chocolate.
What to Do If Your Cat Ate Chocolate?
If your cat ate chocolate by bad luck, it is advisable to monitor him or her. If the cat loves outdoors, restrict them for about 24 hours to ensure they won’t develop any symptoms.
If you notice the cat has eaten a large amount of chocolate, then take him or her immediately to the vet.
The vet will induce vomiting to get rid of toxic elements in the cat. This will help prevent build-up and ensure your cat is safe.
Always learn to keep away chocolate bars from cats. This will enable your cat to live long and free from food poisoning.
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Final Remarks
How Bad Is Chocolate For Cats? Chocolate is poisonous for cats. We recommend you stick to the common cat treats available in the market rather than chocolate.
If you notice some weird symptoms after a cat eating chocolate by bad luck then seek immediate medical help to save her or his life.
You should also note that chocolate is not good for the dental health of your furry friend. Excessive consumption of chocolate bars can lead to the death of the feline.
Sources and References
- Common foods are toxic to dogs and cats. National Institute of Health.
- The Elimination of Theobromine and Caffeine from the Circulation. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
